How it works
The calculator multiplies the three dimensions of the stack and divides by the size of each unit.
Stacked volume = Length × Height × Depth
Cords = Stacked volume ÷ 128 cu ft
Stacked cubic metres (stères) = Stacked volume in m³
Face cords = Stacked volume ÷ (4 ft × 8 ft × Piece length)
128 cu ft is 3.6246 m³ (1 ft = 0.3048 m exactly), so one stacked cubic metre is about 0.276 cord.
The legal cord
In the United States, NIST Handbook 130 – the model regulation that states such as Washington adopt – defines a cord as the amount of wood in a space of 128 cu ft when the wood is ranked and well stowed: pieces placed in a line or row, touching and parallel to each other, and stacked compactly. Firewood is to be sold only by the cord and fractions of a cord, or by the cubic metre. In Canada, Measurement Canada lists the stacked cubic metre, the cubic foot and the cord as the legal units for bulk firewood and recommends the stacked cubic metre.
Face cords, ricks and other terms
Sellers often advertise a “face cord” or a “rick”: a stack 4 ft high and 8 ft long, but only one row deep. Its volume depends on the length of the pieces – the University of Illinois Extension notes depths from 12 to 18 in, and a rick of 16 in pieces is one-third of a cord. NIST Handbook 130 does not allow the terms “face cord”, “rack”, “pile” or “truckload” when selling firewood, and Measurement Canada calls “face cord” and “stove cord” illegal terms. The calculator shows face cords only so you can compare an offer; ask the seller for the height, length and depth.
Measuring a stack
Stack the wood neatly in rows with the pieces parallel and touching, then measure the length along the row, the average height and the depth from front to back. A single row is as deep as one piece. Gaps between pieces are part of the stacked volume, which is why a crisscross or thrown pile of the same size holds less wood.
Comparing prices
Enter a price per cord, per stacked cubic metre or per face cord to see what the whole stack costs. To compare a face-cord price with a cord price, divide the cord price by the number of face cords in a cord for that piece length – three for 16 in pieces.
Worked example in words
A stack 8 ft long, 4 ft high and 4 ft deep is 8 × 4 × 4 = 128 cu ft – exactly one cord, or 3.62 stacked cubic metres. With 16 in pieces, a face cord is 4 × 8 × 1.333 = 42.7 cu ft, so the stack is 3 face cords.
Worked example
Inputs
- Stack length
- 8 ft
- Stack height
- 4 ft
- Stack depth
- 4 ft
- Piece length (for face cords)
- 16 in
Result
- Stacked volume
- 128 cu ft (4.74 cu yd)
- Cords (128 cu ft)
- 1
- Stacked cubic metres (stères)
- 3.62
- Face cords of this piece length
- 3
Common mistakes
- Confusing a face cord with a cord. A face cord of 16 in pieces is 4 × 8 ft × 16 in, only one-third of a 128 cu ft cord.
- Measuring a loose or crisscross pile. The Washington State Department of Agriculture notes that crisscross stacking does not meet the legal definition of a cord and the pile will most likely hold less wood.
- Measuring the height at the highest point. Use the average height of the stack.
- Using the depth of a double row as the piece length. The piece length is one log; the stack depth is everything front to back.
Assumptions and limits
- Stacked volume = length × height × depth; 1 cord = 128 cu ft (NIST Handbook 130), about 3.62 m³.
- Stacked cubic metres (stères) = the stacked volume in m³; Measurement Canada lists the stacked cubic metre as a legal unit for bulk firewood.
- A face cord is taken as 4 ft high × 8 ft long × one piece length deep, the trade usage described by the University of Illinois Extension; it is not a legal unit.
- The volume includes air gaps between pieces. Moisture content, species and weight are not considered.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a cord of wood?
NIST Handbook 130 defines a cord as the amount of wood contained in a space of 128 cu ft when the wood is ranked and well stowed. A stack 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long is one cord.
How many face cords are in a cord?
It depends on the piece length. With 16 in pieces, a face cord of 4 × 8 ft is 42.7 cu ft, so three face cords make a cord; with 12 in pieces it takes four. Because the depth varies, the term is not a legal unit of sale.
What is a stère of firewood?
A stère is one cubic metre of stacked wood, air gaps included. Measurement Canada lists the stacked cubic metre (1 m³ = 35.3 cu ft) as a legal unit for bulk firewood and recommends it over the cord. A cord is about 3.62 stacked cubic metres.
Is a pickup truck load a cord?
No. A “truckload” is not a legal unit in the United States. The University of Illinois Extension says a full-sized pickup with an 8 ft bed holds about one-third to one-half cord, depending on how it is loaded.
How do I check that I got a full cord?
Stack the wood in rows with the pieces touching and parallel, measure length, height and depth and multiply. If the result is 128 cu ft, you have a cord. Washington’s weights and measures office suggests contacting the seller right away, before burning any wood, if there is a problem.
Sources
- NIST Handbook 130 (2025), Uniform Regulation for the Method of Sale of Commodities, 2.4 — National Institute of Standards and Technology. 2.4.1.2 Cord: "The amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 ft3 when the wood is ranked and well stowed" (pieces in a row, touching and parallel, stacked compactly); 2.4.3: sold only by the cord and fractions of a cord or the cubic meter; 2.4.4: "face cord," "rack," "pile," "truckload" shall not be used.
- Selling firewood — Measurement Canada (Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada). Legal units for bulk firewood: "stacked cubic metre (1 m3 = 35.3 ft3)", cubic foot, "cord (equivalent to 128 ft3)" or fractions of a cord; "face cord" and "stove cord" are illegal terms for less than 128 ft³.
- Firewood Information — Washington State Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures. "A cord is 128 cubic feet"; stack pieces in a row, touching and parallel, and measure width × height × length; wood stacked crisscross "does not meet the legal definition"; 4 ft × 8 ft × 4 ft = 128 cu ft.
- How to measure and handle firewood — University of Illinois Extension. Cord 4 ft high, 4 ft deep, 8 ft long = 128 cu ft; half cord 2 ft deep; facecords "have the same height and length of a full cord", depth 12–18 in; a rick "is one-third of a full cord based on pieces being 16 inches in length".
- NIST Handbook 44, Appendix C – General Tables of Units of Measurement — National Institute of Standards and Technology. Exact unit definitions: 1 in = 2.54 cm, 1 yd³ = 27 ft³, 1 US gal = 231 in³, 1 lb = 0.45359237 kg.
Method reviewed November 6, 2026