Firewood Calculator

Calculate Firewood Coverage for Heating Season

Running out of firewood mid-winter means emergency purchases at inflated prices or freezing while you wait for delivery. This firewood calculator helps you determine how many cords you need based on your home size, climate, and how much you rely on wood heat—plus whether that "cord" the seller is offering is actually a full cord.

Understanding Firewood Measurements

A true full cord is a stack of wood measuring 4 feet high × 4 feet deep × 8 feet long = 128 cubic feet of wood, air, and bark. Be wary of these deceptive terms:

• "Face cord" or "rick": Usually ⅓ of a cord (4×8×16"), but not standardized. Always confirm dimensions.
• "Truck load": Meaningless without truck bed dimensions. A small pickup holds ⅓ cord; full-size truck beds hold ½ cord.
• "Stove cord": Sometimes used for 16" pieces stacked 4×8, which is ⅓ cord.

How Much Wood Do You Need?

Primary heat source: 3-6 full cords per heating season for an average 1,500-2,000 sq ft home in cold climates (northern U.S., Canada). Well-insulated homes use less; drafty old homes use more.

Supplemental heat (evenings/weekends): 1-3 cords per season. You're offsetting furnace use, not replacing it.

Occasional use (ambiance): ½-1 cord per year for weekend fires and holidays.

Wood species matters: Hardwoods (oak, hickory, maple) produce 50% more heat per cord than softwoods (pine, fir, spruce). One cord of oak equals 1.5 cords of pine in heat output.

Buying and Storing Firewood

1. Verify the stack dimensions: Bring a tape measure when buying. Measure the stack before it's loaded into your truck. Some sellers "fluff" stacks with loose throwing or hide short pieces in the middle.

2. Check moisture content: Seasoned wood should be below 20% moisture. Use a $20 moisture meter by splitting a piece and testing the freshly exposed interior. Wet wood doesn't burn well—it smolders, creates creosote buildup, and wastes money.

3. Stack off the ground: Use pallets, 2×4s, or pressure-treated runners. Ground contact causes rot. Stack bark-side up to shed rain.

4. Cover the top only: Use tarps or metal roofing to keep rain off, but leave sides open for airflow. Fully enclosed stacks trap moisture and never dry properly.

Firewood Mistakes to Avoid

Burning green (unseasoned) wood: Freshly cut wood is 40-50% water. It takes 6-12 months to season properly. Burning green wood produces half the heat, creates dangerous creosote, and smokes excessively.

Overpaying for "seasoned" wood in summer: Wood cut in winter/spring is perfectly seasoned by fall. Wood sold as "seasoned" in May probably isn't. Buy green wood in spring and season it yourself, or buy from reputable dealers who stack and dry wood for a full year before selling.

Storing wood against your house: Wood piles attract termites, carpenter ants, and mice. Store firewood at least 20 feet from structures. Bring in only what you'll burn that day.

Mixing species in the same stack: Hardwoods and softwoods season at different rates. Stack separately so you can use softwoods for kindling and shoulder-season fires while saving dense hardwoods for peak winter.