Face Cord vs Full Cord of Firewood: How Much Wood You Actually Get
A full cord is 128 cubic feet (4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft). A face cord is a stack 4 ft high and 8 ft long but only one log deep, so with 16-inch logs it is about one third of a cord (42.7 cubic feet). Log length is not standardized, which is why “a face cord” prices are hard to compare.
Not sure what you were sold? Use the cord converter.
How much wood is in a face cord?
| Log length | Cubic feet | Share of a cord |
|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 32 | 0.25 |
| 16 in | 42.7 | 0.33 |
| 18 in | 48 | 0.375 |
| 24 in | 64 | 0.50 |
Why the same price can be a bargain or a rip-off
Take a face cord at $150 (example price). With 16-inch logs that is $450 per full-cord equivalent; with 24-inch logs it is $300. Always convert to a price per full cord before comparing sellers.
How to buy without getting shortchanged
Ask for the stack dimensions in feet, and whether it will stack out to 128 cubic feet rather than asking “is this a cord?”. Ask if delivery and stacking are included, because a separate stacking fee can change the real price. Terms like “rick” or “truckload” have no fixed size, so get the measurements in writing and measure the stack when it arrives.
Other terms you will hear
A bush cord is another name for a full cord. A stove cord usually means shorter logs for a stove, sometimes 4 ft × 8 ft × 12 in, but there is no official measurement. A rick or face cord is not a consistent measurement and can vary from place to place. In some areas people say “cord” for what is really a third of one. If a term is not defined by dimensions, ask for them.
Compare real quotes
Convert each quote to a full-cord equivalent by dividing the price by the share of a cord:
| Quote | Share of a cord | Price per full cord |
|---|---|---|
| $140 face cord, 12 in logs | 0.25 | $560 |
| $180 face cord, 16 in logs | 0.33 | $540 |
| $200 face cord, 24 in logs | 0.50 | $400 |
| $275 full cord | 1.00 | $275 |
Smaller units
A half cord is 64 cubic feet, a quarter cord 32 and an eighth of a cord 16. They are fractions of 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood, so a heaped truck bed does not automatically count. Check yours with the cord converter.
How to check a face cord on arrival
Measure the stack height and length in feet and the log length in feet (16 inches is 1.33 feet), then multiply. A stack 4 ft high, 8 ft long and 16 inches deep is 42.7 cubic feet. If it is smaller than what you were quoted, ask the seller to correct it. Rules on how firewood may be sold differ by place, so your state’s consumer protection or weights-and-measures office can tell you what applies. More in how to measure a delivery and how much a cord costs.
FAQ
What is a rick of wood?
It is usually used like a face cord, 4 ft high and 8 ft long, but its depth is not fixed. Ask for the dimensions.
Is a face cord the same as a third of a cord?
Only when the logs are 16 inches long. Shorter logs give less, longer logs more.
How many face cords are in a full cord?
Three with 16-inch logs, four with 12-inch logs and two with 24-inch logs.