Understanding a Cord of Wood
A cord is the standard, legally defined unit of measurement for firewood volume. It represents a specific quantity of stacked wood.
Standard Dimensions and Volume
A full cord of wood, when neatly stacked, occupies a space of 128 cubic feet.
The common dimensions for a cord are:
- Height: 4 feet
- Depth: 4 feet
- Length: 8 feet
This stacked pile (4 ft x 4 ft x 8 ft) equals 128 cubic feet. The actual solid wood volume within a cord is less due to air space between the pieces, typically ranging from 70 to 90 cubic feet depending on how tightly the wood is packed and the straightness of the pieces.
Related Term: Face Cord
A face cord (sometimes called a rick) is a less standardized term and can cause confusion. It generally refers to a stack of wood that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth is only the length of a single piece of firewood, commonly 12 inches, 16 inches, or 24 inches.
For example, if the wood is cut into 16-inch lengths, a face cord would be 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 16 inches (or 1.33 feet) deep. This would equate to approximately 42.56 cubic feet (4 ft x 8 ft x 1.33 ft), which is one-third of a full cord.
Important: Always clarify if you are buying a "full cord" or a "face cord" to ensure you receive the expected volume of wood.
