Firewood Cord Calculator

A full cord is 128 cubic feet — typically stacked 4′ high × 4′ wide × 8′ long. A face cord (or “rick”) is one row of splits: 4′ high × 8′ long, but only as deep as one log length (often 16″, or about 1.33′). It takes roughly three face cords to equal one full cord when logs are 16 inches. Always confirm which unit a seller is quoting.

Measure bottom diameter at the base, top diameter at the small end (or where you plan to cut), and total length in feet. This calculator treats the log as a tapered frustum — closer to real whole-tree geometry than assuming a uniform cylinder. For multiple logs, run each section separately and add the cord totals.

It depends on species, taper, and usable length. A mid-size hardwood (roughly 18″ bottom, 10″ top, 40′ long) often yields on the order of 1–2 full cords before splitting losses. Large-diameter oaks and ponderosa pines can produce more; small or heavily branched trees produce less. Splitting, bark loss, and crooked sections reduce stackable volume by 10–25%.

There is no single answer — stocking density, species, and average tree size drive yield. Managed stands might yield a few cords per acre from thinning; dense unmanaged timber can be higher but is harder to access. Use this tool per tree or per load, then scale up. For timber sales or tax reporting, consult a professional forester.

Most felled trunks taper from butt to top. A plain cylinder over-estimates volume on tapered logs. The frustum (truncated cone) model uses both diameters plus height — the same approach foresters use for quick whole-log volume checks in the field.

A seasoned full cord of hardwood often weighs 2–2.5 tons; green (unseasoned) wood can be heavier. Softwoods like pine weigh less per cord but also deliver fewer BTUs. Moisture content matters as much as species — properly seasoned wood burns cleaner and more efficiently.