Whether you’re buying firewood for home heating, outdoor use, or preparing for the winter season, knowing how much wood you’re getting and its true value is essential. Our Cord Wood Calculator is a powerful, easy-to-use online tool that helps you calculate the volume, total cost, BTU output, and approximate weight of your firewood stack based on its dimensions and type of wood.
Cord Wood Calculator
🔥 What Is a Cord of Wood?
A cord is a standardized unit of measure for stacked firewood. A full cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood, typically arranged in a 4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long formation.
Understanding cord volume ensures that you're getting a fair deal when buying or selling firewood.
🧮 How the Cord Wood Calculator Works
Our tool helps you determine:
- Total volume (in cubic feet)
- Cord equivalent (fraction or multiple of a cord)
- Total cost (based on entered price per cord)
- BTU estimate (based on the wood type)
- Approximate weight (to plan for transport or storage)
All of these are calculated using basic measurements and some industry-standard values for BTU and wood density.
🛠️ How to Use the Cord Wood Calculator
Using the tool is simple:
1. Enter Wood Length (in inches):
This is the length of each log in your firewood stack.
2. Enter Stack Width (in feet):
Measure how wide your stacked firewood pile is from left to right.
3. Enter Stack Height (in feet):
Measure from the ground to the top of the stacked pile.
4. Select Wood Type:
Choose from common types like Oak, Maple, Pine, Birch, Hickory, Cherry, Ash, or Mixed Hardwood. Each has a different BTU and density value.
5. Enter Price Per Cord ($):
Input how much you’re paying per cord. The tool will calculate the total cost based on the volume you have.
6. Click “Calculate”
You’ll instantly get the volume, cord amount, total cost, BTU estimate, and weight.
7. Click “Reset” to start over
Clear all fields and begin a new calculation.
đź“Š Example Calculation
Let’s walk through an example:
- Wood Length: 16 inches
- Stack Width: 6 feet
- Stack Height: 4 feet
- Wood Type: Oak
- Price Per Cord: $300
Results:
- Volume: 32.00 cubic feet
- Cord Amount: 0.25 cords
- Total Cost: $75.00
- BTU Estimate: 6.9 million BTUs
- Approximate Weight: 1050 lbs
This gives you a great snapshot of the energy and value you're getting from your stack.
🌲 Why Wood Type Matters
Different woods burn differently:
| Wood Type | BTU/Cord (Million) | Weight/Cord (lbs) | Burn Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oak | 27.5 | 4200 | Slow & hot |
| Maple | 25.5 | 3700 | Medium-hot |
| Pine | 17.1 | 2500 | Burns fast |
| Hickory | 30.6 | 4500 | Excellent heat |
| Cherry | 24.0 | 3900 | Pleasant aroma |
| Birch | 23.6 | 3800 | Easy to ignite |
| Ash | 24.2 | 3900 | Good even heat |
| Mixed | 25.0 | 3800 | Balanced |
Choosing the right wood impacts efficiency, burn time, and heat output.
đź’ˇ Benefits of Using This Cord Wood Calculator
- Save Money: Know exactly how much you’re paying per cord.
- Avoid Overpaying: Prevent dealers from shorting you on volume.
- Plan Smart: Calculate storage space or transport needs.
- Stay Warm Efficiently: Choose the right wood for max heat.
- Instant Results: No complex math or conversions needed.
🧠20 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a full cord of wood?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked firewood (4'x4'x8').
2. Is there a difference between a face cord and a full cord?
Yes. A face cord is one-third of a full cord (typically 4' high x 8' long x 16" deep).
3. Can I stack wood looser or tighter?
You can, but this affects the volume. Looser stacks include more air, reducing true wood volume.
4. Why do I need to input wood type?
Different woods have different energy content (BTU) and weights, which affects burning efficiency and transport.
5. What is BTU?
British Thermal Unit—it's the amount of heat needed to raise 1 lb of water by 1°F. Firewood BTUs tell you how much heat it produces.
6. How much does a cord of oak weigh?
About 4200 lbs when air-dried.
7. What is the most efficient firewood?
Hickory and oak provide high BTU and long-lasting burns.
8. Can I burn pine wood?
Yes, but it burns fast and leaves more creosote. Ideal for kindling.
9. How accurate is the BTU estimate?
It's an average value for air-dried wood. Actual performance may vary slightly.
10. Can I use this tool for stacked logs on a trailer?
Yes, just measure the stack's dimensions.
11. Is this tool mobile-friendly?
Yes, it works on phones, tablets, and desktops.
12. What if my wood stack is uneven?
Use the average dimensions for best results.
13. Does wood moisture affect weight?
Absolutely. Freshly cut wood (green) can weigh twice as much as seasoned wood.
14. Should I buy by weight or cord?
Buying by the cord is standard. Weight can vary with moisture content.
15. Can I input measurements in meters or cm?
Currently, the tool only accepts inches and feet.
16. Is this calculator free to use?
Yes, it's completely free and available online.
17. Can this tool help me sell firewood?
Yes! Use it to calculate what you're delivering to customers.
18. Does this calculator store data?
No. It runs entirely in your browser and doesn't collect or store information.
19. What’s the best wood for indoor fireplaces?
Oak, maple, and ash are excellent choices due to clean burning and good heat.
20. How do I season firewood?
Stack it off the ground, cover the top, and let it dry for 6–12 months in a sunny, windy area.
đź“Ś Final Thoughts
Our Cord Wood Calculator is an essential tool for anyone who buys, sells, or burns firewood. It ensures you're getting the right volume, paying a fair price, and selecting the best wood type for your heating needs.
By entering just a few measurements, you can instantly understand your firewood’s value—not just in money, but also in heat output and weight, which affects handling and transportation.
No more guesswork—just accurate, reliable firewood math.
Try it now and get confident with every cord you buy! 🔥🪵