Buying firewood can be confusing. Sellers talk about cords, face cords, ricks and truckloads, and the prices don’t always make sense. Knowing the difference between a full cord and a face cord helps you compare offers and avoid paying too much.
What is a full cord?
A full cord is the standard legal unit for firewood in the United States and Canada. It measures 128 cubic feet of wood stacked neatly, commonly in a pile:
- 4 feet high
- 4 feet deep
- 8 feet long
4 × 4 × 8 = 128 cubic feet. Any arrangement totaling 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood is a cord.
What is a face cord?
A face cord (also called a rick or stove cord in some areas) has the same 4-foot by 8-foot front, but its depth equals the length of a single log. Because log length varies, a face cord isn’t a fixed volume.
- With 16-inch logs, a face cord is about one-third of a full cord (4 × 8 × 1.33 ≈ 42.7 cubic feet).
- With 12-inch logs, it’s about one-quarter of a full cord.
- With 24-inch logs, it’s about half a full cord.
How to calculate what you’re buying
Multiply the stack’s height × length × depth in feet:
- Measure the height and length of the stack.
- Measure the depth (log length).
- Multiply and compare with 128 cubic feet.
Example: a stack 4 ft high, 8 ft long and 16 inches (1.33 ft) deep = about 42.7 cubic feet, or roughly one-third of a cord.
Questions to ask before buying firewood
- What are the exact stacked dimensions? Not just “a cord” or “a load.”
- How long are the logs?
- What species is it? Hardwood and softwood offer very different heat per cord.
- Is it seasoned, and when was it split?
- Is delivery and stacking included?
Watch out for loose loads
Wood thrown loosely into a truck takes up more space than neatly stacked wood. A “truckload” may contain much less than you expect. Ask for the stacked volume or stack it yourself and measure.
Final thoughts
A full cord is always 128 cubic feet; a face cord depends on log length. Always ask for the actual stacked dimensions before you buy. Save this firewood measurement guide for your next purchase.