How Much Does a Cord of Firewood Cost?
Most cost guides put a full cord of seasoned firewood between about $200 and $500, with averages near $300–$375, and a face cord at roughly $120–$200. Delivery and stacking are often extra, so ask what the quote includes. These are published ranges, not current quotes for your area.
What moves the price
Species and dryness (seasoned hardwood costs more than green or softwood), your region, delivery distance and a stacking fee. One 2026 guide gives $250–$500 per cord before delivery or stacking.
Is the quote fair?
| Price per full cord | Per cubic foot |
|---|---|
| $250 | $1.95 |
| $300 | $2.34 |
| $500 | $3.91 |
First confirm it is a true cord of 128 cubic feet: a face cord quoted at $150 is $450 per cord if the logs are 16 inches (face cord vs full cord). Then compare species by price per million BTU (best firewood by BTU) and compare against other fuels with the fuel cost calculator.
Questions to ask the seller
Is it seasoned, and how long? What species and log length? Is delivery and stacking included? Will it stack out to 128 cubic feet? Then check the load with the cord converter (how to measure a delivery).
Price by quantity
If a full cord costs a given amount, a fraction of one should cost proportionally less. Compare any quote against this table, which is pure math:
| Full cord | Half cord | Quarter cord | Face cord (16 in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250 | $125 | $62.50 | $83 |
| $300 | $150 | $75 | $100 |
| $400 | $200 | $100 | $133 |
Small loads often cost more per cord because delivery is a larger share of the price, so a higher figure is not necessarily a rip-off. Just make sure the volume is what you were told.
Work out the all-in price
Add the wood, delivery and stacking, then divide by the cords you actually received. For example: $250 wood + $50 delivery + $60 stacking = $360 per cord (example figures).
Seasoned versus green
Green wood can look cheaper but must dry for 6–24 months before it burns well, so you pay in waiting time and storage. Seasoned wood costs more up front; check it with a moisture meter (how long to season).
Price per heat, not per cord
Using the University of Kentucky and other chart values, oak at $350 per cord (27.9 million BTU) costs $12.54 per million BTU gross, while pine at $250 (17.1 million BTU) costs $14.62. The more expensive cord can be the better buy (best firewood by BTU).
Ways to pay less
- Buy a full cord rather than several small loads.
- Ask local tree services or sawyers about logs, remembering you will need to split and season them.
- Some national forests sell personal-use firewood permits; ask your local ranger district.
- Buy early and season it yourself.
FAQ
How much is a face cord of firewood?
Roughly $120–$200 in one price guide, but the amount of wood depends on log length.
How much is a half cord?
About half the price of a full cord, if the half cord really is 64 cubic feet.
Does the price include delivery?
Not always. Ask whether delivery and stacking are included.