Wood Pellets vs Firewood: Which Costs Less per Million BTU?
At the example prices below, firewood at $250 a cord delivers heat for about $18 per million BTU, versus about $25 for pellets at $325 a ton. Wood stays cheaper until pellets drop to roughly $236 a ton, or until a cord passes about $345. Enter your local prices in the fuel cost calculator.
The numbers
| Fuel | Example price | BTU per unit | Efficiency | $ per MMBtu |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Firewood | $250/cord | 20,000,000 | 70% | $17.86 |
| Wood pellets | $325/ton | 16,500,000 | 80% | $24.62 |
A ton of pellets holds about 16–17 million BTU gross, which is roughly 13–14 million useful at 80% efficiency. We use the EIA average of 20 million BTU for a cord; dense dry hardwood can hold more (see best firewood by BTU).
Real price ranges
One 2026 cost guide lists pellets at $250–$400 per ton and seasoned firewood at $250–$500 per cord before delivery or stacking. Across those ranges the cheaper fuel can flip, so compare cost per useful million BTU, not price per ton or cord.
Beyond the price
A pellet stove feeds fuel from a hopper, so it needs less daily tending, but a ton is 50 bags of 40 lb to store, and one guide recommends PFI-certified premium pellets. Firewood needs splitting, stacking and seasoning time (how long to season), and you should confirm you are getting a true cord (face cord vs full cord).
FAQ
How many bags of pellets are in a ton?
50 bags of 40 lb each, or 2,000 lb.
How much heat is in a ton of pellets?
About 16–17 million BTU gross, or 13–14 million useful at 80% efficiency.
Are pellets cheaper than propane?
At example prices, yes: about $25 versus $36 per million BTU delivered.