Firewood Calculator
Estimate stacked cords, loose firewood volume, face cords or ricks, planning quantity, and optional cost.
A full stacked cord is 128 cubic feet. Loose or thrown firewood is an estimate because it takes more space than ranked wood.
Results
This estimates firewood volume, cord equivalents, face cords/ricks, planning quantity, and optional cost. Loose/thrown firewood is an estimate and is not the same as a tightly ranked stack.
How to use this calculator
- 01Choose stacked firewood, loose/thrown firewood, or need planner mode.
- 02Enter the stack, pile, container, or burn-rate values you know.
- 03Set stick length so face cord or rick conversion matches the wood length.
- 04Add a planning buffer or open Add cost estimate only if you need those rows.
Use the Board Foot Calculator for dimensional lumber. Use the Plywood Calculator for sheet goods instead of cord wood.
Understanding the math
A full stacked cord is 128 cubic feet. The common 4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft shape is one way to get there, but any well-stacked pile with 128 cubic feet is one full cord.
stack_volume = length x height x depth full_cords = stack_volume / 128
face_cord_volume = 4 ft x 8 ft x stick_length face_cords = stacked_volume / face_cord_volume
loose_volume = length x width x height loose_cords = loose_volume / loose_cord_reference
planner_cords = burn_rate x time_period active_cord_amount = measured_cords, loose_cord_equivalent, or planner_cords cost = active_cord_amount x price_per_full_cord + delivery_or_stacking_fee
With 16 in sticks, one face cord or rick is about 42.7 cubic feet, or about one-third of a full cord. Loose firewood references are for thrown volume, not tightly stacked volume.
Firewood reference table
Use these active-unit examples to compare full cords, smaller cord fractions, face cords, ricks, and loose thrown firewood.
| Firewood measure | Volume | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 128 cu ft | Stacked firewood volume |
| Half cord | 64 cu ft | 0.5 full cord |
| Quarter cord | 32 cu ft | 0.25 full cord |
| Face cord/rick, 16 in sticks | 42.7 cu ft | About one-third cord |
| Loose cord, 12-16 in sticks | 180 loose cu ft | Thrown wood reference |
| Loose cord, 24 in sticks | 195 loose cu ft | Thrown wood reference |
Frequently asked questions
How much firewood do I need?
Use the planner with your own burn rate and time period. Real use depends on weather, appliance or fireplace, wood moisture, wood species, and how often you burn.
How to calculate a cord of firewood?
Multiply stack length by height by depth to get cubic feet, then divide by 128. A common full cord stack is 4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft.
How to calculate firewood volume?
For stacked firewood, multiply length by height by depth. In metric, multiply meters to get cubic meters; the calculator also converts to cubic feet and cords.
How to calculate how much firewood you have?
Measure the stack or loose pile, choose the matching mode, then compare the result to full cords, face cords or ricks, cubic feet, and cubic meters.
How long will 1 cu ft of firewood last?
There is no reliable universal time. It depends on fire size, appliance efficiency, wood species, moisture, weather, and how hot or long you burn.
How much should a 1/2 cord of firewood cost?
Pricing varies by region, species, seasoning, delivery, and stacking. Enter your local price per full cord in the cost estimate, and the calculator scales it to the measured amount.
Can I use this calculator with metric measurements?
Yes. Use the Imperial/Metric toggle. Inputs, results, reference values, and examples follow the active unit system.