A cord is a stacked volume, not a fixed price: one full cord occupies 128 cubic feet, commonly arranged 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet long. The dollar cost has no national standard. It changes with region, species, dryness, split size, season, delivery distance, and whether stacking is included, so comparable written local quotes give the most useful answer.
A cord means 128 cubic feet when stacked
The familiar 4-by-4-by-8-foot pile is only one possible shape. Any neatly ranked stack whose height × length × piece depth equals 128 cubic feet represents a full cord. For example, wood cut to 16-inch lengths could be stacked in three rows, each 4 feet high and 8 feet long. The calculation is based on the outside dimensions of closely stacked wood, so the total includes unavoidable air spaces between pieces.
That distinction matters: a cord does not mean 128 cubic feet of solid wood fiber, and it is not a particular weight. Species density, moisture, bark, piece shape, and how tightly the pieces fit all affect weight and usable heat. The current NIST Handbook 130 model regulation defines fireplace and stove wood sales and provides model terms that jurisdictions may adopt; buyers still need to check their own state or local rules.
Full cord, face cord, and other seller terms
| Term | What it tells you | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 128 cubic feet when properly stacked | Piece length, species, moisture claim, delivery, and stacking |
| Half cord | 64 stacked cubic feet | The exact stack dimensions after delivery |
| Quarter cord | 32 stacked cubic feet | The same details as a full cord |
| Face cord or rick | No nationally consistent volume | Exact cubic feet; depth can change the amount dramatically |
| Truckload, rack, or pile | No dependable quantity by itself | Measured volume and the legal sales unit in your jurisdiction |
Do not assume a face cord equals one-third of a full cord. A single 4-by-8-foot face of 16-inch logs would be about one-third cord, but 12-inch or 24-inch pieces produce a different volume. Some jurisdictions prohibit vague terms entirely. Maryland’s consumer firewood guidance, for example, allows the cord or a fraction of one for ordinary bulk sales and requires specific invoice information.
Why the price varies so much
- Local supply and demand: forest access, heating demand, labor, and fuel costs are regional.
- Species and mix: dense hardwoods, softwoods, and mixed loads may be priced differently. Ask for the promised identity in writing rather than relying on “premium.”
- Moisture and seasoning: genuinely dry, ready-to-burn wood may cost more because it required time and protected storage. Ask how moisture was assessed.
- Processing: uniform splits, shorter stove lengths, bundled wood, and kiln or certified heat treatment add work.
- Timing: late-season or emergency delivery can cost more than an advance order.
- Service: distance, difficult access, stairs, stacking, and sales tax can change the delivered total.
Because those inputs are local and time-sensitive, a single national “average” can mislead. Request at least two written quotes for the same cord fraction, species or mix, approximate piece length, stated moisture condition, delivery date, and stacking service. Then compare the delivered price per full-cord equivalent: total price ÷ cord fraction. For a half-cord quote, divide by 0.5; for a quarter cord, divide by 0.25. This comparison does not turn unlike wood into equal fuel, but it exposes volume differences.
How to verify a delivery
- Agree in writing. Record quantity, price, wood identity, piece length, moisture or treatment claims, delivery, stacking, and taxes.
- Keep the ticket. Check seller and buyer details, date, quantity, price, and any information your jurisdiction requires.
- Stack promptly. Place pieces parallel and compactly rather than in a decorative crisscross stack.
- Measure in feet. Multiply average stack height × length × piece depth, then divide by 128 to estimate cords.
- Document before burning. Photograph the complete stack with measurements visible. Contact the seller first, then the local weights-and-measures authority if a shortage is unresolved.
Irregular ends and settling can complicate a home measurement, so measure several representative points and preserve the untouched stack until a dispute is addressed. For storage planning, CurioBeacon’s garden winterization guide also illustrates the value of dealing with drainage and weather exposure before winter.
Buy for safe, legal use—not only price
Confirm that the pieces fit the appliance with safe clearance, and follow the stove or fireplace manual. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recommends dry, seasoned wood and says not to burn garbage, plastics, or pressure-treated wood. Never assume construction scraps or treated landscape timbers are suitable fuel.
Firewood can also transport invasive insects and diseases. USDA APHIS advises buying wood where it will be burned or using certified heat-treated wood when it must move. Check state agriculture rules, park rules, quarantines, and burn restrictions before transporting or using it; a bargain load may be illegal to move. For other material-care context, see how CurioBeacon approaches cleaning heat-tolerant soapstone surfaces.
A practical quote checklist
- Is this exactly a full cord or a stated fraction in cubic feet?
- What species or mixture, cut length, and split size will arrive?
- Is “seasoned” backed by a moisture measurement or only by time since cutting?
- Does the total include delivery, stacking, tax, and access surcharges?
- Where was the wood harvested, and is it legal to move to the destination?
- What is the remedy if the measured stack is short or materially different?
Answering those questions makes “how much?” a comparison of both volume and total delivered value, rather than an unreliable price attached to a truckload.
