What Is a Face Cord of Wood? (Size Chart)
A face cord is a stack of firewood about 4 feet high and 8 feet long, with a depth equal to the length of its pieces. That means its volume is not fixed: 16-inch pieces make a stack of about 42⅔ cubic feet, while 24-inch pieces make about 64 cubic feet. Always confirm the dimensions and piece length before buying.
If you enjoy tending a wood stove, fire pit, or backyard cooking fire, knowing how much wood you are buying makes planning easier. The confusing part is that sellers may use “face cord” without stating how long the pieces are. I focus on the measurements first: they show what the label means and help you compare one load with another.
Face cord meaning and size chart
A face cord usually describes a stack 4 feet high and 8 feet long. Its depth is the length of the firewood pieces, so the total volume changes with that length. Unlike a full cord, a face cord has no single volume unless the piece length is known.
A full cord is a stacked pile measuring 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long. Multiply those dimensions and you get 128 cubic feet of stacked volume, including the gaps between pieces. A face cord is one row or “face” of a pile with a 4-by-8-foot front.
Face cord size chart by firewood length
The chart assumes the stack is 4 feet high and 8 feet long, and that the pieces are stacked with their ends facing out. The piece length sets the stack’s depth. These are volume calculations, not a promise that every seller uses the same dimensions.
| Firewood length and stack depth | Calculation | Stacked volume | Fraction of a full cord |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in (1 ft) | 4 × 8 × 1 | 32 cu ft | ¼ cord |
| 16 in (1⅓ ft) | 4 × 8 × 1⅓ | About 42⅔ cu ft | ⅓ cord |
| 24 in (2 ft) | 4 × 8 × 2 | 64 cu ft | ½ cord |
The fraction follows from dividing the face-cord volume by 128 cubic feet. For example, 42⅔ divided by 128 is one-third. The chart assumes the stated measurements describe a stacked pile; loose wood does not have the same arrangement or volume.
Firewood dimensions, measurement setup and safety
To check a quantity, identify the stack’s height, length, and depth. For a face cord, depth is usually the average length of the pieces. Use a tape measure and measure the wood as stacked. Avoid climbing on the pile, and do not lean against an unstable stack while measuring.
Before ordering, agree on what each dimension means. A seller’s “4 by 8” may describe only the front face, not the depth. Ask whether the wood is stacked or loose, and ask for the typical piece length. If pieces vary, use a representative sample rather than the longest piece.
A tape measure is enough for a basic check. Measure the stack’s outside height and length, then check several pieces to learn their usual length. If the stack is irregular, take more than one height or length reading and use a reasonable average. The goal is to compare the delivered load with the dimensions agreed on, not to claim perfect precision.
- Height: Measure from the ground to the top of the stack.
- Length: Measure across the front of the stack.
- Depth: Measure the firewood pieces from end to end; this is the stack depth when the pieces are arranged in a row.
The word “stacked” matters. A cord is measured as stacked firewood, with air spaces included in the pile’s overall dimensions. A loose load in a truck bed has gaps and an uneven shape, so its apparent size cannot be compared directly with a neat stack using the same three measurements.
Measuring and comparing a face cord in the field
A fair comparison uses the same units and the same type of measurement. Convert inches to feet before calculating volume, then divide the stacked cubic feet by 128 to estimate the fraction of a cord. Compare dimension-based quantities only when both loads are measured as stacks.
Use this formula:
Stack height (ft) × stack length (ft) × average piece length or depth (ft) = stacked volume (cu ft)
For example, a 4-foot-high, 8-foot-long stack made with 16-inch pieces has a depth of 1⅓ feet. Its volume is about 42⅔ cubic feet, or one-third of a full cord. For a quick conversion, divide inches by 12: 16 ÷ 12 = 1⅓ feet.
Worked examples for common buying situations
These examples show how the same face dimensions can describe different amounts of wood. They are calculations based on the stated sizes, not claims about what a seller’s label means. If the actual measurements differ, use the formula with the dimensions you can verify.
| Situation | Stack dimensions | Estimated volume | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 4-by-8 face with 16-in pieces | 4 × 8 × 1⅓ ft | 42⅔ cu ft | About ⅓ cord |
| A 4-by-8 face with 24-in pieces | 4 × 8 × 2 ft | 64 cu ft | About ½ cord |
| A 4-by-8 face with 12-in pieces | 4 × 8 × 1 ft | 32 cu ft | ¼ cord |
The key edge case is easy to miss: two stacks can have the same 4-foot-by-8-foot front and still hold different amounts. A stack of 24-inch pieces is twice as deep as one of 12-inch pieces, so its calculated volume is twice as large.
“Rick” and other seller terms
“Rick” and “face cord” can be used differently by different sellers or in different areas. Neither term alone tells you the stack depth. Ask for the actual height, length, and average piece length, then confirm whether those measurements describe stacked firewood.
That small check avoids a common misunderstanding: treating “one face cord” as a fixed fraction of a full cord. It is one-third only when its total stacked volume is about 42⅔ cubic feet, as in the 4-by-8-foot face with 16-inch pieces shown above.
Volume checks, stacking and measurement accuracy
A volume check is an estimate based on the outside dimensions of a stack. Wood pieces have uneven shapes, and stacking patterns leave different-sized gaps, so the calculation describes stacked volume rather than the solid volume of the wood alone. Use consistent measurements when comparing loads.
Check the stack after it is arranged, if possible. A few loose pieces or an uneven top can change the apparent height, while gaps between rows can change the depth. Measure the stack as it sits, and note any missing or inaccessible section rather than assuming the pile forms a perfect rectangle.
For a rough comparison, use the stack’s overall dimensions and average piece length. If the pile is badly uneven, a single height reading may give a poor estimate. Take readings at more than one point and use the approximate average. This does not turn an irregular pile into an exact measurement, but it makes the comparison more useful.
When you restack a delivered load, use the same approach: measure the completed stack, not a guessed truck-bed size. Do not pack pieces so tightly that you change the way you normally store or handle the wood just to reach a target number. The purpose is to verify dimensions, not to claim every stack has identical gaps.
Delivery records and seasonal storage
Write the agreed dimensions on the order or receipt before delivery. Include whether the load is stacked or loose, the expected height and length, and the usual piece length. Check the delivered stack against that description before accepting a dimension-based quantity.
A useful record might read: “Stacked load, 4 feet high by 8 feet long, pieces about 16 inches long.” That description is clearer than “one face cord” because it states the depth used in the volume calculation. Keep a copy of the receipt and note any measurement difference while the load is still available to inspect.
If the wood will be stored for the season, measure the storage space before ordering and compare it with the expected stack dimensions. Remember that a face cord’s depth depends on piece length. A 4-by-8-foot face with 24-inch pieces needs twice the depth of one with 12-inch pieces.
The simplest next step is to confirm three things in writing: stack dimensions, piece length, and whether the wood is stacked or loose. Then use height × length × depth to estimate cubic feet, and divide by 128 for the full-cord fraction.
Face cord FAQ
These quick answers cover the main points buyers need to check: the meaning of the term, how piece length changes volume, and how to compare a face cord with a full cord. When a seller’s description is unclear, ask for the actual measurements rather than relying on the label alone.
How big is a face cord of wood?
It commonly has a front face 4 feet high and 8 feet long. Its depth is the length of the wood pieces, so total volume varies.
How many cubic feet are in a face cord?
There is no single volume unless piece length is stated. With a 4-by-8-foot face, 16-inch pieces give about 42⅔ cubic feet; 24-inch pieces give 64 cubic feet.
How many face cords make a full cord?
It depends on piece length and the seller’s dimensions. Under the chart’s assumptions, three faces made with 16-inch pieces equal about one full cord. Two faces made with 24-inch pieces equal about one cord.
Is a face cord one-third of a cord?
Not always. It is about one-third only when the stack measures roughly 4 feet by 8 feet by 16 inches.
Is a rick the same as a face cord?
The terms may be used inconsistently. Ask the seller for the stack height, length, and piece length instead of relying on either label.
How do I measure a face cord?
Measure the stack’s height and front length, then measure the typical piece length for its depth. Multiply the three dimensions in feet to estimate stacked cubic feet.
Does a loose truckload count as a face cord?
Not by the same stack measurement alone. A loose load has a different arrangement and should not be compared directly with a neatly stacked volume.
What should I confirm before buying firewood?
Confirm the height, length, average piece length, and whether the quantity is stacked or loose. Put those details on the order or receipt.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Evan Bradley. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
