How Long Does a Cord of Wood Last?
A cord lasts about a month when a stove is your main heat in deep winter, and 6 to 12 weeks with moderate use, such as loading the stove twice a day. With only occasional fireplace use it can last all winter or longer.
Days per cord at different burn rates
| Cubic feet burned per day | Days a cord lasts |
|---|---|
| 4.3 | 30 |
| 3 | 43 |
| 2.5 | 51 |
| 1.5 | 85 |
The formula is 128 ÷ cubic feet burned per day. Cold snaps shorten it: one owner burned through a cord in 8 days with two stoves, softwood and extreme cold.
Make it last longer
Burn dry, dense hardwood (best firewood by BTU), keep the stove maintained and avoid overfiring. Check that your cord is a true 128 cubic feet (how to measure a delivery). To estimate your daily rate see how much firewood you burn per day.
FAQ
How long does a face cord last?
About a third as long as a full cord when the logs are 16 inches: roughly 10 days at a cord-a-month pace.
How many cords for a whole winter?
Many stove owners use 3 to 6, depending on home and climate.
Does green wood last as long?
No. Wet wood burns poorly and you burn more of it for the same heat.