Face Cord of Firewood Cost (Price Guide)

A common 16-inch-deep face cord holds about 42.7 cubic feet, or one-third of a full cord. For 2026 planning, budget about $100–$200 for pickup or $150–$300 delivered for ordinary seasoned hardwood. But “face cord” has no standard depth, so confirm stack dimensions, species, dryness, delivery, and stacking charges before comparing prices.

A low price can look like a bargain until you learn the stack is shallow, the wood is green, or delivery costs extra. A high price may reflect premium hardwood or stacking, but the label alone does not tell you what you will receive.

I compare firewood quotes by volume and total cost, not by the words “face cord.” That simple habit helps you see whether you are paying for useful heat or for an unclear quantity. Use the guide below to check dimensions, compare offers, and inspect a load before accepting it.

Face-Cord Dimensions and Price Basics

A face cord is a row of firewood that is commonly 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but its depth varies. A full cord is 128 cubic feet. Because face-cord depth is not fixed, always get the stack’s actual measurements before treating a quoted face cord as one-third of a cord.

What does a face cord contain?

A full cord is conventionally stacked 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long. That equals 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. A face cord often has the same height and length but only one row of pieces.

If that row is 16 inches deep, its volume is about 42.7 cubic feet: 4 × 8 × 1.33 feet. That is one-third of a full cord. If the depth is 12 inches or 24 inches, the amount is different. The name “face cord” does not settle the question.

What should you budget?

For 2026 planning, ordinary seasoned hardwood may cost about $100–$200 for pickup or $150–$300 delivered. These are broad estimates, not live local quotes. Region, wood species, season, delivery distance, and added services can move the final price outside those ranges.

Do not divide a full-cord price by three unless the seller’s face cord is actually one-third of a cord by volume. First get the stack’s height, length, and depth. Then compare the price per cubic foot or convert the verified volume to a full-cord equivalent.

How do you compare prices fairly?

A fair comparison uses the same volume basis and wood condition. Ask whether the wood is sold loose or stacked, since loose wood does not form the same measured stack as neatly arranged pieces. Also compare the complete bill, including delivery and stacking.

For a quick volume check, multiply the stack’s height, length, and depth in feet. For example, 4 × 8 × 1.33 gives about 42.7 cubic feet. If a seller gives dimensions in inches, convert them to feet first by dividing each measurement by 12.

Comparing Species, Seasoning, and Delivery

A useful price comparison accounts for the kind of wood, its moisture condition, and every service charge. Hardwood species can differ in heat value per unit of volume, while wet wood is harder to burn well. A lower sticker price may not be the better value if the load is smaller or less ready to burn.

Which wood species are worth the price?

Species affects how much heat a stack can provide, but price and heat value vary by region and seller. Dense hardwoods such as oak and hickory are often sold at a premium where they are available. Other hardwoods, such as maple or ash, may also suit home heating. Ask for the species rather than accepting “mixed hardwood” as a complete description.

Softwood is not automatically poor firewood. It can be useful for starting fires or for heating needs where it is readily available and properly dry. The key is to compare the actual species and volume, rather than paying extra for a vague claim such as “premium.”

I have seen buyers focus on species names but skip the measurements. That can lead to a costly mismatch: a familiar high-value hardwood label does not make a short or shallow stack equal a full face cord. Confirm both what the wood is and how much is there.

What does seasoned mean?

Seasoned firewood has been dried enough for burning, but the word alone does not prove its moisture level. A common target for firewood is 20% moisture content or less. Moisture content is the amount of water in the wood relative to its weight, shown as a percentage.

Ask how the wood was stored and when it was split. Drying time varies with species, piece size, weather, and airflow, so a seller’s claim that wood has aged for a set number of months is not a reliable substitute for a moisture check. When possible, test a freshly split surface with a moisture meter.

What extra charges belong in the quote?

There is no reliable standard delivery surcharge. Distance, access, order size, and local business practices all affect the fee. Stacking is also commonly priced separately, so request each cost as its own line item.

Before you agree, confirm:

• Wood price and stated quantity
• Delivery charge and delivery area
• Stacking charge, if requested
• Minimum order and payment terms
• Delivery date and unloading location
• Whether the quote is for loose or stacked wood

A quote that says “$200 delivered” still needs a volume and species description. Ask for a written total with the stack dimensions. That gives you a useful basis for comparing another seller.

Measuring a Delivery and Checking Firewood Quality

A quick inspection can show whether a delivered load matches the seller’s description. Measure the stack, check the species you can identify, and test representative splits for moisture. Agree on these checks before delivery, especially if the quote uses an undefined face-cord label.

How do you measure the stack?

For stacked wood, measure height, length, and depth in several places if the pile is uneven. Multiply the average dimensions in feet to estimate cubic feet. A common face cord is about 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 16 inches deep throughout, for roughly 42.7 cubic feet.

A shallow stack is the key edge case. An 8-foot-long, 4-foot-high row is not automatically a common face cord. It reaches that volume only if it is about 16 inches deep throughout. If the seller’s pile is loose, ask how the amount will be measured, since a loose pile is not a tidy stacked volume.

How do you check moisture?

A moisture meter estimates water content in wood. For a useful reading, split a representative piece and press the meter’s pins into the fresh inner face, following the meter’s instructions. Test several pieces rather than relying on one reading from the outside of a log.

A reading at or below 20% is a common firewood target. If the readings are higher, ask whether the wood is intended for immediate use or needs more drying. Do not assume every piece in a mixed load has the same moisture level.

What should you do if the delivery differs?

Compare the delivered stack with the written order before accepting it. If the dimensions, species, or condition differ, point out the specific mismatch and refer to the agreed terms. Photos of the stack and meter readings can help document what you received.

Do not judge a load only by the visible top layer. Check pieces from different parts of the stack, and split a few for moisture readings. If you cannot inspect before payment, settle the inspection and payment terms with the seller in advance.

Buying, Stacking, and Seasonal Storage

A good purchase starts with a clear order and ends with wood stored so it can stay dry. Confirm dimensions and terms in writing, prepare an accessible delivery spot, and stack the wood with airflow. These steps reduce confusion about what you paid for and help protect seasoned wood after delivery.

What should you ask before ordering?

Send the seller a short list of questions and keep the answers with the quote. This makes it easier to compare sellers and to check the delivery later.

• What are the stack’s height, length, and depth?
• Which species are included, and is the load mixed?
• What is the piece length?
• Is the wood seasoned, and can I check fresh-split moisture?
• Is the quantity loose or stacked?
• Are delivery and stacking included in the price?
• Where will the driver unload, and is there an access limit?
• What are the minimum order and payment terms?

Piece length matters because it must fit your stove or fireplace. Do not assume all sellers cut wood to the same length. Confirm the length in inches before ordering.

How can you plan delivery and storage?

Choose an unloading spot that the seller can reach and that leaves you room to stack the wood. Confirm access and the exact drop location before delivery. If you pay for stacking, clarify where the stack will go and whether the charge covers the full load.

Keep stored wood protected from rain while allowing airflow around the stack. A cover over the top can help shed rain, but avoid sealing the sides in a way that traps moisture. Store wood away from areas where it could create a safety or pest problem, and follow local guidance for distance from buildings.

What do common buying scenarios look like?

These examples show how to compare offers; they are not local market quotes. The amounts below use the 2026 planning ranges and assume ordinary seasoned hardwood. Actual costs depend on the seller and the load’s verified volume.

A practical quote-to-delivery check

Use this sequence to keep the purchase clear:

1. Request written dimensions, species mix, piece length, seasoning status, and whether the quantity is loose or stacked.
2. Convert the offered stack to cubic feet. Compare quotes on volume, not the “face cord” label.
3. Add delivery and stacking charges. Confirm access, unloading location, minimum order, and payment terms.
4. On delivery, measure the stack and inspect representative splits for species and dryness before accepting.

The goal is not to find the lowest number on an ad. It is to know the quantity, condition, and total delivered cost you are paying for. A clear written quote makes that comparison possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

These short answers cover common price and measurement questions. Local prices vary, so use them as planning guidance and confirm details with sellers. In every case, the stack’s dimensions and the total delivered cost matter more than the label alone.

How much does a face cord of firewood cost?

For 2026 planning, ordinary seasoned hardwood may cost about $100–$200 for pickup or $150–$300 delivered. Premium species, high-cost areas, stacking, and long delivery distances can raise the price. Request a local quote with dimensions and fees listed.

How many cubic feet are in a face cord?

There is no single standard volume because face-cord depth varies. A common stack measuring 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 16 inches deep contains about 42.7 cubic feet. Ask the seller for the actual dimensions.

Is a face cord one-third of a full cord?

Only when its measured volume is one-third of a full cord. A full cord is 128 cubic feet, and a 16-inch-deep stack measuring 4 by 8 feet is about 42.7 cubic feet. Check depth before using that conversion.

Should delivery be included in the price?

Some sellers include delivery, while others charge separately. There is no universal delivery fee. Ask for the wood price, delivery charge, and stacking charge as separate amounts, then compare the final total.

How do I know if firewood is seasoned?

Ask for a moisture reading and test a freshly split surface with a moisture meter, following the meter instructions. A common target for firewood is 20% moisture content or less. Drying time alone does not confirm the current moisture level.

Does a mixed hardwood face cord cost less?

It may, but prices depend on the local mix and seller. Ask which species are included and whether the load is a consistent mix. Compare the wood’s species, measured volume, and condition rather than assuming “mixed hardwood” means a set quality or value.

Can I compare a loose load with a stacked face cord?

Not directly by appearance or label. A loose pile does not have the same measured volume as neatly stacked wood. Ask the seller how the quantity is measured and compare offers using the stated volume and terms.

What should I check when firewood arrives?

Measure the stack, confirm the species and piece length, and test representative freshly split pieces for moisture. Compare the delivery with your written quote. Raise any difference in dimensions, condition, or charges before accepting the order.

(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Samuel Vance. Visit our Meet the Team page.)