A full cord is a neatly stacked pile 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long – 128 cubic feet including the air gaps. Many sellers offer a face cord (also called a rick): a single row of logs, usually 16 in long, in a 4 × 8 ft face, which is one third of a full cord. Always confirm which one a seller means.
How to use the Cord of Wood Calculator
- Stack length
- Stack height
- Stack depth (log length)
- Price per full cord
Results update as you type, and every field accepts the units shown in its menu.
How it works
Enter the length, height and depth of the stack (the log length) and the price per full cord.
Tips
- Use the figures from your own bills and product labels – prices and appliance ratings vary widely.
- Look at yearly totals: small daily costs add up and make it easier to compare options.
- Round quantities up to whole packs, rolls or bulbs when you shop.
- Re-check the numbers when prices change; most results scale directly with the unit price.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Confusing watts (power) with watt-hours or kilowatt-hours (energy).
- Comparing prices without bringing them to the same unit first.
- Ignoring one-off costs such as installation, delivery or replacement parts.
Inputs explained
| Field | What to enter |
|---|---|
| Stack length | Units: ft, m, in, cm, yd |
| Stack height | Units: ft, m, in, cm, yd |
| Stack depth (log length) | Units: in, ft, cm |
| Price per full cord | Amount in your currency |
What each result means
- Stack volume = [Stack length]×[Stack height]×[Stack depth (log length)]
- Full cords = [Stack volume]÷(128×0.028316846592)
- Face cords (of this log length) = [Stack length]×[Stack height]÷(32×0.09290304)
- Steres (m³ stacked) = [Stack volume]
- Cost = [Full cords]×[Price per full cord]
Example values
How the main result changes when Stack length changes and everything else stays at the example values above:
| Stack length (ft) | Full cords |
|---|---|
| 4 | 0.167 |
| 6 | 0.25 |
| 8 | 0.333 |
| 10 | 0.417 |
| 12 | 0.5 |
| 16 | 0.667 |
Formula
Cords = stack volume ÷ 128 ft³ (4 × 4 × 8 ft)Face cords = length × height × 16 in ÷ 42.67 ft³ (one row of 16 in logs, 4 × 8 ft face)Cost = cords × price per cordWorked example
Inputs — Stack length: 8 ft; Stack height: 4 ft; Stack depth (log length): 16 in; Price per full cord: $300.
Results — Stack volume = 42.7 ft³; Full cords = 0.333; Face cords (of this log length) = 1; Steres (m³ stacked) = 1.21 stere; Cost = $100.00.
Key terms
- Rick
- Regional name for a face cord.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a cord of wood?
4 × 4 × 8 ft stacked – 128 ft³ (3.62 m³).
What is a face cord?
One row of logs, usually 16 in long, 4 ft high and 8 ft long – about a third of a full cord.
How long does a cord of wood last?
Burning every evening through winter, a household typically uses 2–4 cords a season.
What formula does the Cord of Wood Calculator use?
Cords = stack volume ÷ 128 ft³ (4 × 4 × 8 ft).