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Cord vs face cord: buying firewood without getting shorted

What 128 cubic feet really means, how face cords and ricks differ, and how to measure a delivery so you get the wood you paid for.

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What 128 cubic feet looks like

A full cord is defined as 128 cubic feet of stacked wood, which is the space filled by a tidy pile 8 feet long, 4 feet high and 4 feet deep. That figure includes the air gaps between splits, so it does not mean 128 cubic feet of solid timber. The solid wood in a cord is usually closer to 85 cubic feet once you account for the spaces. Because the number is a stacked volume, the only honest way to check it is to stack the wood into a neat rectangle and measure the box.

Face cords, ricks and other loose terms

A face cord is a stack 8 feet long and 4 feet high but only one log deep, so its size swings with the log length. Splits cut to 16 inches give a face cord of about a third of a full cord, while 24 inch splits make it half a cord. The word rick is used the same loose way in many regions and has no fixed size. Because these terms are not standardized, always ask a seller for the log length and convert to full cords before comparing prices.

Why stacking beats a thrown pile

Firewood is often delivered dumped in a heap, and a loose heap can measure 15 to 30 percent larger than the same wood stacked because of all the trapped air. If you measure the heap you will overpay, and if you accept the driver's word you have no record. Stack the delivery in rows with the splits aligned and the ends squared off, then measure length, height and depth. The tighter and straighter the stack, the closer your reading is to the true cord count.

Checking a delivery step by step

Stack the whole load before the truck leaves if you can, or as soon as possible after. Measure each of the three dimensions in feet, taking an average where the stack is uneven, and enter them here. Compare the cord figure to what you ordered and paid for. If it falls short, a photo of the stacked and measured pile is far stronger evidence than a memory of the heap, and many states let you file a complaint with the weights and measures office.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a cord of firewood weigh?

It depends on species and moisture, not volume. A cord of seasoned softwood like pine can weigh around 2,500 pounds, while dense seasoned hardwood like oak can top 4,000 pounds. Green, unseasoned wood weighs considerably more due to water content.

How many cords do I need for a winter?

It varies with climate, home size and how you burn. Many households that heat mainly with wood use three to six cords a season, while an occasional fireplace user might burn under a cord. Track your own use over one winter for the best guide.

Should I buy green or seasoned wood?

Seasoned wood burns hotter and cleaner because most of the water has dried out. Green wood is cheaper but needs six months to a year of drying before it burns well, so factor storage time into any green purchase.