Firewood Calculator – How Many Cords Do You Need for Winter?
Use our firewood calculator to estimate exactly how many cords of wood you need based on your climate, home size, and daily use.
Firewood Calculator
Average Firewood by Region
| Region | Avg Cords/Year |
|---|---|
| Southern US / Mild | 1–2 cords |
| Mid-Atlantic / Moderate | 2–4 cords |
| Midwest / Cold | 4–6 cords |
| Northeast / Very Cold | 5–8 cords |
Cord, Face Cord and Rick: What You Are Actually Buying
Firewood pricing confusion almost always comes down to units. Only one of them is legally defined in most places.
| Term | Dimensions | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| Full cord | 4 ft high x 4 ft deep x 8 ft long | 128 cubic feet |
| Face cord (16 inch logs) | 4 ft high x 16 in deep x 8 ft long | About 42.7 cubic feet |
| Rick | Same as face cord, name varies regionally | About 42.7 cubic feet |
| Cubic metre (stacked) | 1 m x 1 m x 1 m | About 35.3 cubic feet |
Because the full cord is the only widely regulated unit, it is the safest basis for comparing prices between suppliers.
How Much Firewood Will You Need?
Consumption depends on climate, how well the house is insulated, and whether wood is your main heat source or an occasional evening fire.
| How you burn | Per winter |
|---|---|
| Occasional weekend fires, ambience only | 0.5 to 1 cord |
| Regular evening fires, supplemental heat | 1 to 2 cords |
| Primary heat, mild winter | 3 to 4 cords |
| Primary heat, cold winter | 4 to 6 cords |
| Primary heat, very cold climate, older house | 6 to 10 cords |
An efficient modern wood stove can produce the same heat from noticeably less wood than an open fireplace, which sends most of its heat straight up the chimney.
Wood Species and Heat Output
Heat output is measured in BTU per cord. Dense hardwoods carry more energy per unit volume, which is why they cost more.
| Species | Million BTU per cord | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 24 to 29 | Excellent, long burn, needs 12 to 24 months seasoning |
| Hickory | 27 to 28 | Among the highest heat output |
| Maple | 20 to 25 | Good all-rounder |
| Birch | 20 to 24 | Lights easily, burns faster |
| Pine and softwoods | 13 to 20 | Fast, resinous, more creosote build-up |
A cord of oak can deliver nearly twice the heat of a cord of pine, so comparing prices per cord without considering species can be misleading.
Seasoning: The Part That Matters Most
Freshly cut wood can be 50 percent water by weight. Burning it wastes energy boiling that water off, produces far less heat, and deposits creosote in your chimney, which is a genuine fire risk.
- Target moisture content is below 20 percent. A moisture meter costs very little and removes all guesswork.
- Softwoods typically season in 6 to 12 months, hardwoods in 12 to 24 months, with oak at the long end.
- Signs of seasoned wood: cracks radiating from the end grain, a hollow knock when two pieces are struck together, noticeably lighter weight, bark that comes away easily.
- Stack it properly: off the ground, in single rows with air gaps, top covered but sides open. Wood wrapped tightly in a tarp does not dry, it sweats.
Common Firewood Mistakes
- Paying full cord prices for a face cord. Always confirm the stacked dimensions and log length before money changes hands.
- Buying “seasoned” wood on trust. The word is unregulated in most places. Check with a moisture meter or buy a season ahead and dry it yourself.
- Stacking against the house. It invites insects and rodents indoors. Keep the stack a few feet away.
- Covering the whole stack with a tarp. Trapping moisture prevents seasoning entirely. Cover the top only.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much firewood is in a cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood, measuring 4 ft high by 4 ft deep by 8 ft long. It is the only firewood unit that is legally defined in most places, which makes it the safest basis for comparing prices between suppliers.
What is the difference between a cord and a face cord?
A face cord is 4 ft high by 8 ft long but only as deep as the log length, typically 16 inches. That makes it about 42.7 cubic feet, or roughly one third of a full cord. Rick usually means the same thing as a face cord. Always confirm the log length and stack depth before agreeing a price.
How much firewood do I need for winter?
For occasional weekend fires, half a cord to one cord. For regular evening fires as supplemental heat, one to two cords. If wood is your primary heat source, expect three to four cords in a mild winter and four to six in a cold one, more for a poorly insulated house.
What is the best firewood to burn?
Dense hardwoods give the most heat per cord. Hickory and oak lead at roughly 24 to 29 million BTU per cord, maple and birch follow at 20 to 25, and pine and other softwoods sit at 13 to 20. A cord of oak can deliver nearly twice the heat of a cord of pine, though oak also needs the longest seasoning.
How long does firewood need to dry?
Softwoods usually season in 6 to 12 months and hardwoods in 12 to 24 months, with oak at the long end. The target is a moisture content below 20 percent. Stack the wood off the ground in single rows with air gaps, and cover only the top so the sides can breathe.
How can I tell if firewood is properly seasoned?
Look for cracks radiating from the end grain, listen for a hollow knock when two pieces are struck together, and notice the weight, since seasoned wood is much lighter than green wood. Bark also loosens. A cheap moisture meter is the only way to be certain: you want a reading under 20 percent.
Why should I not burn green or wet wood?
Freshly cut wood can be half water by weight. Burning it wastes energy boiling that water off, so you get much less heat, and it deposits creosote in your chimney. Creosote build-up is the leading cause of chimney fires, which makes this a safety issue rather than just an efficiency one.