What Is a Half Cord of Firewood (Stack Dimensions: 4x4x4)

A half cord is 64 cubic feet of firewood measured as a neatly stacked pile, including the air gaps between pieces. One example is a stack 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet long. Other dimensions can equal the same volume, so check the full stack rather than relying on a load’s appearance.

A firewood listing may use terms such as “half cord,” “face cord,” or “truckload,” and those terms do not all describe the same amount. If you are trying to check what you bought or plan a storage space, the key is to understand how stacked volume is measured.

What a half cord means

A half cord is a measure of stacked firewood volume. It equals 64 cubic feet of stack space, with the normal gaps between pieces included. A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked firewood. The pieces do not need to form one exact set of dimensions.

The simple calculation is:

Height × width × length = stacked volume

For example:

4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft = 64 cubic feet

That makes a 4-by-4-by-4-foot stack one way to arrange a half cord. The measurement describes the pile’s outside dimensions after the wood is stacked, not the volume of solid wood alone.

A useful distinction is that a cord is a stacked-volume measure. Firewood pieces have different shapes, and even a tidy pile contains spaces between them. Those gaps are part of the measured stack volume.

Half-cord dimensions and other layouts

A half cord does not have to be 4 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high. Any neatly stacked pile with outside dimensions that multiply to 64 cubic feet has the same measured volume. The layout can change to fit a space, but all three measurements matter.

The last example works because 3 × 4 × 5⅓ equals 64. For easier checking, use whole-foot dimensions when possible.

Measure the outside of the stacked pile: its height, width, and length. Then multiply those numbers. If the stack has an uneven top or end, take care to measure the actual boundaries of the pile rather than a larger space around it.

Does a half cord contain 64 cubic feet of solid wood?

No. The 64 cubic feet describe the full space occupied by the stack, including air gaps between pieces. The amount of solid wood within that space varies with piece shape, length, and how tightly the wood is stacked.

This is why loose wood cannot be verified by simply looking at the size of a truck bed or pile. Its shape and gaps are not arranged in the same measurable way as a stack. To check a quantity, stack the wood and measure the pile.

How to check a delivered half cord

A delivery can look large or small for reasons that do not prove its quantity. Piece length, how the wood is arranged, and whether it arrives loose or stacked all affect its appearance. The clearest check is to agree on the measurement basis, then measure the wood after stacking.

Before ordering, ask the seller:

• Is the quantity stacked, loose, or delivered in another form?
• What are the piece lengths?
• Will the wood be stacked, or will you measure it after delivery?
• If it arrives loose, what agreed method will be used to confirm the amount?

A loose load cannot be reliably confirmed as a half cord from vehicle volume alone. Unless you have an agreed conversion, stack the pieces and measure the finished pile. Do not treat a loose pile that appears to fill 64 cubic feet as proof of a half cord.

If quantity is important, write down the agreed terms. Note the piece length, whether the sale is stacked or loose, and how the volume will be checked. After stacking, record the pile’s height, width, and length.

Example: checking a 4-by-4-by-4 stack

Imagine a delivery is described as a half cord, and you stack it in a pile that measures 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet long. Multiplying those measurements gives 64 cubic feet of stacked volume, which matches a half cord.

Now imagine the wood is still loose in a vehicle. A load may look close to the same size, but its irregular shape and gaps make the comparison uncertain. The next step is to stack it and measure the outside dimensions.

Example: fitting a half cord into a narrow space

A space that is 2 feet high and 4 feet wide can hold a half cord if the stack is 8 feet long: 2 × 4 × 8 equals 64 cubic feet. This layout uses the same stack volume as a 4-by-4-by-4 pile, though the wood must fit the available space and be stacked safely.

The examples are volume calculations, not promises about how many individual pieces will fit. Piece size and shape vary, so count and appearance are less reliable than the measured dimensions of the finished stack.

Cutting and stacking safely

If you are cutting wood for the stack, use a saw and bar suited to the piece diameter, and follow the saw maker’s instructions. A half cord does not set chainsaw fuel mix, chain pitch or gauge, bar length, or operating speed. Those details vary by model and must come from the saw manual.

Before cutting:

• Wear chainsaw-rated leg protection, eye and face protection, hearing protection, gloves, and protective footwear. Wear a helmet where overhead hazards exist.
• Inspect the saw, chain brake, chain tension, and bar as directed in the manual.
• Secure the wood and keep bystanders clear.
• Work on stable ground, and keep the chain away from soil, stones, and other debris.
• Use suitable support while cutting, and do not cut above shoulder height.

Stop the saw and let the chain stop before inspection or adjustment. Keep the chain sharp and correctly tensioned according to the saw and chain makers. A dull chain can take more effort to use and may increase risk. Use only the specified fuel, oil, chain, and bar combination. Do not guess at a fuel-oil ratio or substitute a generic setting.

As you stack, place the wood neatly and check the pile’s outside dimensions in feet. Loose or scattered pieces do not count as an equivalent measured stack. When the pile is complete, measure height, width, and length, then multiply them to check the volume.

Storing a half cord

Choose a stable place for the stack and keep the wood off the ground with airflow around it. Where practical, cover the top while leaving the sides open. This helps limit direct exposure to rain while allowing air to move through the stack.

Keep the pile stable and follow local fire-safety rules about distance from buildings and ignition sources. There is no single safe distance that applies everywhere, so check the rules for your area and the guidance for your home.

If you use a chainsaw to prepare the wood, store fuel and care for the saw according to its manual. Shut the saw down and let it cool before refueling or cleaning. These steps do not change the measured volume, but they help keep the cutting and storage process safer.

Key takeaway

A half cord equals 64 cubic feet of stacked firewood, including air gaps. A 4-by-4-by-4-foot pile is one valid layout, but not the only one. To confirm a quantity, measure the finished stack’s outside dimensions and multiply them. If the wood is sold loose, agree in advance how you will verify the amount.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 4-by-4-by-4 stack a half cord?
Yes. Its outside dimensions multiply to 64 cubic feet, the stacked volume of a half cord.

How many cubic feet are in a half cord?
A half cord is 64 cubic feet of stacked firewood, including the gaps between pieces.

How many cubic feet are in a full cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked firewood.

Does a half cord have to measure 4 by 4 by 4 feet?
No. Any neatly stacked dimensions that multiply to 64 cubic feet give the same stack volume. For example, 2 × 4 × 8 feet is also 64 cubic feet.

Is a half cord 64 cubic feet of solid wood?
No. The measurement includes the spaces between pieces in the stack. It does not describe 64 cubic feet of solid wood.

Can I verify a half cord by looking at a truckload?
Not reliably if the wood is loose. Stack it and measure the finished pile, or use a conversion method agreed with the seller.

Do piece lengths change the definition of a half cord?
No. The definition is based on stacked volume. Piece length can affect how the wood fits and stacks, so ask about it when ordering.

What should I measure to check a stack?
Measure the stack’s outside height, width, and length in feet, then multiply the three numbers. A result of 64 cubic feet equals a half cord.

Does a chainsaw need a special setup for cutting half a cord?
No universal setup applies. Choose a saw and bar suited to the wood and follow the manufacturer’s instructions for fuel, oil, chain, and other settings.

What should I confirm before buying?
Ask whether the firewood is stacked or loose, what length the pieces are, and how the quantity will be measured or verified.

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