How Much Is a Cord of Wood: Volume, Dimensions and Stacking Guide

A cord of wood is a standardized volume of neatly stacked firewood arranged in a compact rectangular pile with minimal air space between the logs. Understanding how much is a cord of wood means recognizing that firewood is measured by total stacked volume rather than weight, because moisture in green logs can distort weight dramatically. A standard cord represents a full, deep stack of seasoned split logs rather than loose wood tossed into a truck bed.

FirewoodGearHQ earns a commission when you buy through links on our product pages, at no extra cost to you. Read our affiliate disclosure.

The quick answer

A full cord is a tightly stacked rectangular pile of split firewood where logs sit parallel and snug, leaving minimal open air space. It consists of multiple parallel rows of cut firewood stacked to a uniform height and length. When firewood dealers refer to a cord, they mean this complete stacked volume. In contrast, smaller units such as a face cord, rick, or fireplace cord represent only an individual row of cut logs, which yields only a fraction of the wood found in a full cord.

Cord dimensions and volume comparison

Measurement term	Stack arrangement	Relative volume	Typical usage
Full cord	Multiple rows stacked deep in a compact block	Full standard volume	Whole-house seasonal heating
Face cord	An individual row of cut firewood logs	A fraction of a full cord	Occasional fireplace or supplemental heat
Rick or tier	Regional term for an individual stacked row	Equivalent to a face cord	Campfire wood or seasonal fire pits
Loose truckload	Firewood thrown loosely into a pickup bed	Significantly less than a stacked cord	Bulk hauling before home stacking
Retail bundle	Shrink-wrapped small wood packages	Minimal packaged volume	Weekend camping and patio fire pits

Always verify whether a seller quotes a full cord or a face cord before ordering. A face cord covers the same visible front area as a full cord but contains far less wood because it lacks the depth of multiple stacked rows.

What affects how much wood you get in a cord

Stack density and log placement

How firewood is stacked directly determines how much solid wood sits inside the measured volume. Straight splits placed bark to bark and flat face to flat face leave small voids, producing a dense pile. Twisted limbs, crooked branch cuts, and careless stacking create oversized gaps that fill the space with empty air instead of fuel. Stacking logs parallel keeps the volume honest.

Split size and log diameter

Large rounds leave substantial open pockets between adjacent logs, while medium and slender splits nestle closer together. Splitting larger rounds down with a splitting maul or splitting axe creates flat faces that pack tighter. When managing large piles of seasonal wood, the best log splitter for home use ensures uniform split sizes that sit evenly without excess gap space.

Stacking off the ground on a proper rack

Wood placed directly on soil absorbs moisture, rots along the bottom layer, and shifts out of alignment as ground settles. Stacking on an elevated foundation keeps bottom logs clean, dry, and sound. Using the best firewood rack with cover supports both ends of the pile, prevents rows from toppling, and keeps ground dampness away from the wood while allowing air circulation.

Log cut length consistency

Consistent cut lengths keep the faces of the stack flush and prevent uneven overhangs. When logs vary in length, short pieces create hollow cavities inside interior rows, while long pieces protrude and disrupt adjacent stacks. A dedicated firewood measuring tool for chainsaw cutting helps maintain identical log lengths across the entire pile.

End bracing and cross-stacking

Firewood stacks require solid end support to stay upright without spilling. Many wood burners build crisscrossed pillars at each end by alternating log directions. While cross-stacked end cribs provide excellent structural stability, this alternating layout naturally introduces larger air voids than parallel rows. Recognizing this difference helps you assess true wood volume.

How to measure and verify a firewood stack

To confirm that a delivery matches an agreed cord measurement, unload the logs and stack them completely before calculating volume. Check these key points:

• Stack dimensions: Measure the height, depth, and overall length of the finished rectangular stack. Multiplying these dimensions gives the total volume of the woodpile.
• Uniform log length: Check that stack depth matches the expected cut length of the firewood. Inconsistent lengths shorten depth and reduce total wood content.
• Compact stacking: Inspect the pile for deliberate voids or loose packing. A reputable seller stacks wood tightly, whereas loose crisscrossing throughout the pile artificially inflates volume.
• Moisture condition: Confirm wood is seasoned and ready to burn rather than green and heavy with water. Fresh split surfaces can be verified with a best firewood moisture meter to ensure clean combustion.
• Bark and debris: Excessive loose bark, chips, and scrap debris stacked into the pile subtract from usable fuel. The stack should consist of solid fuel logs.

Taking measurements only after the wood is neatly stacked eliminates misunderstandings with suppliers and guarantees you receive the volume you paid for.

How much is a cord of wood compared to a face cord

The distinction between a full cord and a face cord is the most frequent source of confusion when ordering firewood. A full cord consists of multiple rows placed back to back, creating a deep, solid block of stacked logs. A face cord consists of an individual row with the same height and length as a full cord, but with a depth determined solely by the length of an individual cut log.

Because stove wood is cut much shorter than the depth of a full cord, an individual face cord contains only a fraction of the wood in a full cord. It takes multiple face cords stacked together to equal the volume of a full cord. Dealers often quote face cord prices because the smaller volume is easier to transport and fits compact yards. For those planning seasonal heating needs, our guide on how much firewood a wood stove uses per winter helps outline total volume requirements, while our review of the best wood stove for heating a house covers appliances built for whole-home warmth.

Buying firewood by the cord versus loose truckloads

Firewood is frequently sold by the pickup truckload rather than by the measured cord. However, purchasing loose firewood tossed into a vehicle bed often results in receiving far less wood than anticipated.

Firewood thrown loosely into a truck bed lands at random angles, creating cavernous air spaces. When that same loose wood is unloaded and stacked tightly at home, the volume shrinks dramatically. A standard pickup bed filled loosely with firewood rarely equals even a face cord, and cannot accommodate a full cord without tall custom stake sides and dense hand-stacking. Insist on stacking logs upon delivery before verifying whether the delivered volume meets your expectations. Sellers pricing firewood by volume can consult our guide on how much to charge for a cord of firewood.

Kiln-dried cords and bundled wood

In addition to air-seasoned firewood, some wood burners purchase kiln-dried cords or prepackaged retail bundles. Kiln-dried wood undergoes thermal processing in drying chambers to lower internal moisture rapidly. A cord of kiln-dried wood provides identical stacked volume to seasoned wood, but lights more readily, burns hotter, and carries less water weight.

Retail bundles sold at grocery stores or service stations are intended for immediate, short-duration burning in patio fire pits. Purchasing firewood in bundles is an expensive way to acquire wood by volume. For regular home heating, purchasing full cords from a reputable local timber supplier or cutting your own logs with the best chainsaw for firewood delivers vastly superior value.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much wood is in a full cord compared to a face cord?

A full cord is a complete deep block containing multiple rows of firewood, whereas a face cord consists of an individual row of the same height and length. Because the depth of a face cord is limited to the length of an individual cut log, an individual face cord equals only a fraction of a full cord. It takes several face cords stacked together to match the volume of a full cord.

Can a standard pickup truck carry a full cord of firewood?

Generally, no. A standard pickup truck bed cannot hold a full cord of firewood when logs are thrown in loosely. Even when stacked carefully above the bed rails, the volume and weight of green or dense hardwood exceed the payload limits of standard consumer trucks. Hauling a full cord typically requires a heavy-duty truck with stake sides, a dedicated firewood trailer, or commercial delivery.

Why is firewood sold by volume instead of weight?

Firewood is sold by stacked volume because the moisture content in wood shifts dramatically throughout the seasoning process. Freshly harvested green wood carries substantial sap and water, making it extremely heavy. As wood seasons and dries, water evaporates and the wood becomes lighter while its heating efficiency increases. Selling by volume ensures fair measurement regardless of whether wood is green or dry.

How should firewood be stacked to maintain an accurate measurement?

Firewood should be stacked in straight, parallel rows with split faces and bark resting closely together. Keep the stack elevated on a sturdy foundation such as a raised outdoor firewood rack to prevent ground moisture from rotting lower layers. Stack the wood tightly to avoid artificial air voids while leaving row ends open for air circulation.

Does loose wood in a pile take up more space than stacked wood?

Yes. Loose, jumbled firewood takes up substantially more space than a neatly stacked cord because logs cross over each other at awkward angles, creating pockets of trapped air. When loose firewood is neatly stacked and arranged parallel, the apparent volume decreases significantly. Accurate volume can only be confirmed once wood is stacked.

How do you know if a cord of wood is seasoned and ready to burn?

Seasoned firewood shows distinct radial cracks across the cut ends, displays faded bark that peels easily, and sounds hollow when struck together. To verify that wood is dry enough for clean burning, split an individual log and check the interior grain with a moisture meter. Proper seasoning prevents creosote buildup and ensures efficient heat output.

Related guides

See the firewood storage hub, the best firewood rack with cover, and the best firewood moisture meter. Learn how to stack firewood for stability and airflow, and read should you cover firewood to protect your pile. If you process your own firewood, see our review of the best chainsaw for firewood, select the best splitting maul or best splitting axe for manual splitting, or choose the best log splitter for home use for larger processing tasks. Planning your winter fuel consumption? Read how much firewood a wood stove uses per winter, discover how long firewood takes to season, learn how to season firewood fast, and review how much to charge for a cord of firewood. Also see our firewood shed outdoor with roof. Also see our cheap firewood rack. Also see our firewood rack outdoor with cover. Also see our cover for firewood storage rack. Also see our firewood rack for porch. Also see our inside wood rack for firewood. Also see our metal wood racks outdoor for firewood. Also see our indoor firewood rack ideas. Also see our can you bring firewood indoors. Also see our best indoor firewood rack. Also see our best fireplace log holder.

About the author