This calculator provides equations computing the volume of a stack of wood as a fraction of a whole cord, a cost for a stack of wood based on the cost of a whole cord, and the volume constants that represents the volume of a whole cord, the volume of a Face Cord, and the percentage of a full cord that is a face cord.

The last two buttons are useful for computing the number of cords in a stack and then computing the price per cord.  The latter is useful if firewood has been delivered in a loose pile.

Definition of a Cord

A cord of wood is a standard measure of firewood which is defined to be a tightly stacked pile of wood that is 4 ft. by 4 ft by 8ft -- or 128 cubic feet.

To make the measurement of the stack of wood easier, a cord is usually stacked between straight uprights separated by eight feet, as shown in the picture below, making the calculation a straightforward rectangular volume.

Definition of a Face Cord

A common length for standard firewood pieces is 16 inches.  If you create a single stack of these 16 inch lengths of firewood that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, you have a Face Cord. This is shown in the following image. 

There is a lot of discussion that the length of the wood in a Face Cord can vary in length but it is so common that the length of the wood in a face cord is cut to 16 inch lengths that the only reason someone would bother to try to define it differently would probably be to try to cheat you. Therefore, the 16 inch by 4 feet high by eight feet long definition of a Face Cord is as standard as it gets and used probably by 95% of people dealing in firewood.

Note also that most states have legal definitions of a cord and in some states they include a definition of a Face Cord and in those cases where they legally define a Face Cord they define it having a minimum of 16 inch pieces of wood.  16 inch lengths became common because the length is easy to handle and fits mos any fireplace.

Of course, you can always get someone to cut your firewood in shorter OR longer lengths if you have a smaller or bigger fireplace but the volume dimensions of the Cord or Face Cord should still apply.