Calculate cords of wood from stack height, length, and width, then estimate total cost using price per cord in feet, inches, meters, or centimeters.
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Cords of Wood Formula
The calculator uses the standard firewood cord volume of 128 cubic feet. Before calculating, height, length, and width are converted to feet if you enter inches, meters, or centimeters.
- C = cords of wood
- H = stack height, in feet
- L = stack length, in feet
- W = stack width, in feet
- P = cost per cord
- T = total cost
If you leave Cords of Wood empty, the calculator multiplies height, length, and width, then divides by 128. If you leave Total Cost empty, it multiplies cords by cost per cord. If you leave height, length, or width empty, it rearranges the cord formula to solve for the missing dimension.
Common Cord Sizes and Volume References
A full cord is a volume measurement, not a weight measurement. The actual weight depends on wood species, moisture, and how tightly the wood is stacked.
| Wood Amount | Cubic Feet | Cords | Example Stack Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 128 cu ft | 1.00 | 4 ft × 8 ft × 4 ft |
| Half cord | 64 cu ft | 0.50 | 4 ft × 8 ft × 2 ft |
| Quarter cord | 32 cu ft | 0.25 | 4 ft × 4 ft × 2 ft |
| Face cord, 16 in deep | About 42.67 cu ft | About 0.3333 | 4 ft × 8 ft × 16 in |
Unit Conversion Factors Used for Stack Dimensions
| Input Unit | Conversion to Feet |
|---|---|
| Feet | ft × 1 |
| Inches | in × 1/12 |
| Meters | m × 3.28084 |
| Centimeters | cm × 0.0328084 |
Example Problems
Example 1: Calculate cords from a wood stack
You have a wood stack that is 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 16 inches wide.
Convert 16 inches to feet:
Calculate cords:
The stack is about 0.3333 cords, or one-third of a full cord.
Example 2: Calculate total cost
You are buying 1.5 cords at $280 per cord.
The total cost is $420.00.
FAQ
How many cubic feet are in a cord of wood?
A full cord of wood is 128 cubic feet. A common full-cord stack is 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet wide. The stack includes both the wood and the air spaces between the pieces.
Is a face cord the same as a full cord?
No. A face cord is usually 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth depends on the length of the pieces. If the pieces are 16 inches long, the face cord is about one-third of a full cord because 16 inches is one-third of 4 feet.
Why does the calculator convert all dimensions to feet?
The cord definition is based on cubic feet. To use the formula correctly, height, length, and width must be in feet before the volume is divided by 128.