Cut Firewood Cord Measure (Stack Checklist)
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of neatly stacked firewood, measured by the stack’s outside height, length, and depth. Aim for a 4-foot-high, 4-foot-deep, 8-foot-long stack, then confirm its dimensions. A 4-by-8-foot stack is not a full cord unless it is also 4 feet deep.
Knowing the actual quantity helps you compare prices, plan storage, and avoid paying for a cord when you received less. It also makes it easier to keep a reliable count as you cut and stack. In my field work, the most common measurement mistake is counting the visible face of a pile but not measuring its depth.
Use this guide as a cut-and-stack checklist. Measure the finished stack, not a loose truckload or a guessed number of pieces. Record the piece length and whether the quantity is a full cord, face cord, or another measured volume.
What counts as one cord of firewood?
A cord is a measure of stacked firewood volume. Its nominal dimensions are 4 feet high by 4 feet deep by 8 feet long, for 128 cubic feet. That volume includes the normal air spaces between pieces, so do not try to subtract gaps or count only the wood itself.
Measure the stack’s outside dimensions in feet and multiply:
Height × length × depth = stacked cubic feet
For example, a stack that is 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep measures 128 cubic feet. It is one full cord by volume. A neatly stacked pile can still fall short if any of its dimensions are less than the target.
A face cord, also called a rick in some areas, describes a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long, with a depth equal to one piece length. It is not a fixed volume unless the piece length is stated. If the pieces are 16 inches long, the face cord measures about 42⅔ cubic feet, or one-third of a cord by volume.
| Stack description | Calculation | Stacked volume |
|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 4 × 8 × 4 ft | 128 ft³ |
| 16-inch face cord | 4 × 8 × 1⅓ ft | 42⅔ ft³ |
| 18-inch face cord | 4 × 8 × 1½ ft | 48 ft³ |
| 2-foot-deep stack | 4 × 8 × 2 ft | 64 ft³ |
Piece length matters when you describe a face cord. For a full cord, use the measured stack dimensions rather than assuming that a particular number of rows or pieces equals one cord.
What should you measure before stacking?
A reliable cord measurement starts with three outside dimensions: height, length, and depth. Measure the completed stack in feet, and write down each number. For an uneven pile, divide it into representative sections, measure each section, and add the volumes.
Choose and record a piece length before cutting. Sixteen inches is a common target, but the right length depends on your appliance and storage setup. Keeping pieces reasonably uniform makes the stack more stable and makes its depth easier to measure.
For a simple stack, take the measurements as follows:
- Height: Measure from the base to the top of the stack.
- Length: Measure along the face of the stack from one end to the other.
- Depth: Measure from the front face to the back, at a right angle to the length.
- Volume: Multiply the three measurements in feet.
Do not use the widest or tallest point alone if the pile varies a lot. For example, if one half is 4 feet high and the other is 3 feet high, measure the two sections separately: calculate each section’s height × length × depth, then add the results. This gives a better estimate than treating the whole stack as a uniform block.
For comparison, a 4-foot-high, 8-foot-long stack that is only 2 feet deep contains 64 cubic feet. It is half a cord by stacked volume, not a full cord. The face measurement alone cannot tell you the quantity.
Stack-and-measure checklist
Use this checklist when you finish a load or prepare a stack for sale. Measuring after the pieces are stacked gives you a direct volume check and a clear record of what you have.
- Pick a level, firm base and make sure the stack is stable.
- Cut to a chosen, reasonably uniform piece length.
- Stack pieces compactly, without forcing the pile into a leaning or unstable shape.
- Measure outside height, length, and depth in feet.
- Multiply the measurements to find stacked cubic feet.
- Compare the result with 128 cubic feet per full cord.
- Record the piece length and label the amount accurately: full cord, face cord, or another measured quantity.
| Measured stack | Calculation | What to record |
|---|---|---|
| 4 ft high × 8 ft long × 4 ft deep | 128 ft³ | 1 full cord |
| 4 ft high × 8 ft long × 2 ft deep | 64 ft³ | ½ cord by volume |
| 4 ft high × 8 ft long × 16 in. deep | 42⅔ ft³ | 16-inch face cord; ⅓ cord by volume |
| Two uneven sections | Measure and add each section | Total cubic feet, then compare with 128 |
For a partial cord, divide the measured volume by 128. A 96-cubic-foot stack, for example, is three-quarters of a cord by volume. State the measured quantity plainly, especially if the stack is being sold or compared with a delivered load.
Cut and stack safely for a dependable measure
Uniform pieces help make a stack easier to measure, but safe cutting comes first. Use a saw and cutting attachment that the manufacturer lists as compatible. There is no universal bar-length rule based only on engine size, and fuel mix, chain pitch, gauge, drive links, depth-gauge setting, and fastener torque vary by model or chain.
Before cutting, wear task-appropriate chainsaw PPE: helmet, eye and hearing protection, leg protection, gloves, and boots. Inspect the chain brake, throttle lockout, chain catcher, bar, chain tension, and lubrication system. Follow the saw manual for fuel mix, bar oil, starting steps, and chain setup; do not assume a value from another saw.
Start the saw on stable ground with the brake engaged, following the manual’s cold- or warm-start procedure. Support logs so they cannot roll, and keep the bar clear of soil, stones, and other obstructions. Maintain stable footing and use controlled cuts as you buck the wood to length.
Pay close attention to how a log is loaded. A log under compression can pinch the bar; one under tension can spring or shift when cut. Assess its support before bucking, plan the cut to avoid a trapped bar or sudden movement, and do not cut a suspended or unstable log without a safe support plan.
A sharp, correctly tensioned chain supports controlled cutting. Set depth gauges and sharpen the chain to its manufacturer’s specifications. If the chain is dull, damaged, or incorrectly tensioned, stop and correct it before cutting. After work, shut down the saw and let it cool before refueling, cleaning, or transport.
Field examples: checking a stack in the yard
A quick calculation can reveal whether a pile is a full cord, a partial cord, or a face cord. These examples use outside stack dimensions; they do not estimate volume from a truck bed or from an assumed count of logs.
In one common yard setup, I measure a stack that is 4 feet high and 8 feet long. Its depth is 16 inches, or 1⅓ feet. The calculation is 4 × 8 × 1⅓, which equals about 42⅔ cubic feet. That is a 16-inch face cord, not a full cord.
In another example, a stack measures 3 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep. Its volume is 96 cubic feet. Dividing by 128 shows it contains three-quarters of a cord by stacked volume. If the top varies in height, measure the uneven parts as separate sections rather than rounding the pile up to 4 feet.
For instance, suppose one section measures 3 feet high × 4 feet long × 4 feet deep, and another measures 4 feet high × 4 feet long × 4 feet deep. The sections contain 48 and 64 cubic feet, respectively, for a total of 112 cubic feet. That is less than a full cord, even though part of the stack is 4 feet high.
FAQs about measuring a firewood cord
These answers cover the main checks: the standard cord volume, the role of piece length, and how to measure a finished stack. Use the stack’s outside dimensions for the volume, and identify face cords by their piece length so the quantity is clear.
How many cubic feet are in a full cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked volume, including normal air spaces between pieces.
What are the standard dimensions of a cord?
The nominal dimensions are 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long.
Is a 4-by-8-foot stack a full cord?
Not by itself. You also need to measure the depth. A stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long is only a face measurement until its depth is known.
How much is a 16-inch face cord?
A 4-foot-high, 8-foot-long stack with 16-inch pieces is about 42⅔ cubic feet. That is one-third of a cord by volume.
How do I calculate stacked firewood volume?
Measure the outside height, length, and depth in feet, then multiply the three numbers. For uneven piles, calculate each representative section and add the results.
Do the air spaces count in a cord?
Yes. The cord measures the volume of the stacked pile, including normal spaces between pieces. It is not a measure of solid wood alone.
Can I estimate a cord by counting logs?
No dependable count applies to every pile. Piece size, shape, and stacking change the volume. Measure the completed stack instead.
What if my stack is less than 128 cubic feet?
Divide its measured volume by 128 to find the fraction of a cord. For example, 64 cubic feet is half a cord by volume.
Does a face cord always equal one-third of a cord?
No. That is true for a 16-inch face cord. A face cord’s volume changes with piece length, so record the depth or piece length.
Should I measure a loose truckload as a cord?
A loose load is not the same as a neatly stacked cord. Stack the wood, then measure its outside dimensions to verify the volume.
Final measurement check
A cord is verified by stacked volume, not by its front face, load size, or piece count. Measure height, length, and depth, multiply them, and compare the result with 128 cubic feet. Record piece length and label partial quantities clearly. That simple routine makes each stack easier to plan, track, and compare.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Samuel Vance. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
