Firewood Calculator

The average American home of 1,500 square feet with decent insulation typically requires 3-5 full cords of hardwood for a 5-month heating season when using an efficient wood stove. Homes in colder climates, larger spaces, or with poor insulation may need 6-8 cords. Softwood burns faster and produces less heat per cord, so you will need roughly 30-50% more cords if burning pine or spruce compared to oak or hickory.

A full cord of firewood measures 128 cubic feet, typically stacked 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet wide. A face cord (also called a rick) has the same height and width but is only one-third the depth at about 16 inches, containing roughly 42-43 cubic feet. When buying firewood, always confirm whether the seller means a full cord or face cord, as prices and quantities differ significantly — a face cord is approximately one-third of a full cord.

Hickory leads among common North American firewood species at approximately 27.7 million BTU per cord when seasoned. Oak and maple follow closely at around 24 million BTU per cord. Dense hardwoods consistently outperform softwoods because their tightly packed wood fibers contain more energy per volume. For comparison, pine produces only about 15.9 million BTU per cord, meaning you would need nearly twice as much pine to match the heat output of hickory.

Most firewood species should be seasoned (air-dried) for 6 to 12 months before burning. Hardwoods like oak and hickory benefit from 12 to 18 months of seasoning time due to their density. Properly seasoned firewood has a moisture content below 20%, which produces more heat, less smoke, and less creosote buildup in your chimney. You can test moisture with an inexpensive moisture meter, or check for cracked end grain and a hollow sound when two pieces are struck together.

The cost comparison depends on local firewood and gas prices, plus your appliance efficiency. At average 2024 prices, heating with an EPA-certified stove using hardwood at $250-350 per cord often costs 30-50% less than natural gas heating in rural areas. However, gas furnaces typically operate at 90-95% efficiency compared to 70-80% for the best wood stoves. Factor in the labor of cutting, splitting, stacking, and loading firewood when making your decision.

A standard full-size pickup truck bed (8 feet long) can hold approximately one-third to one-half of a full cord when wood is stacked neatly to the top of the bed rails. A short-bed pickup (6.5 feet) holds even less, roughly one-quarter of a cord. Never rely on "a truck load" as a measurement when purchasing firewood, as this is not a standardized quantity and varies dramatically based on truck size and how the wood is loaded.

Avoid burning green (unseasoned) wood, which produces excessive smoke and dangerous creosote buildup. Never burn painted, treated, or pressure-treated lumber, as these release toxic chemicals including arsenic. Avoid burning driftwood (high salt content corrodes stoves), plywood and particleboard (toxic glue fumes), and any wood from trees that were diseased with fungal infections. Poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac vines should never be burned as the smoke carries the urushiol oil that causes severe allergic reactions.

Stack firewood off the ground on pallets or rails to prevent moisture absorption and insect infestation. Keep stacks at least 20 feet from your home to reduce pest and fire risks. Cover the top with a tarp or firewood cover to protect from rain and snow, but leave the sides exposed for air circulation. Store wood bark-side up in the top row so rain sheds off naturally. Bring only a few days' worth inside at a time to avoid bringing insects into your home.

For most residential wood stoves and fireplace inserts, firewood should be cut to 16 inches in length and split to 3-6 inches in diameter. Larger stoves may accommodate 18-20 inch pieces. Splits in the 3-4 inch range ignite faster and are ideal for quick fires, while 5-6 inch splits provide longer burn times for overnight heating. Always check your stove manufacturer specifications for maximum recommended piece size.