Cubic feet of wood in a cord
A cord is a stack of 128 cubic feet, and the stack has air gaps. Extension guidance is that the solid wood in a cord is about 65 to 90 cubic feet, with straight, split and well-stacked wood at the top end. The estimates here use 80 cubic feet, an average for hardwood.
Estimated pieces by size of split
Pieces = solid wood in cubic inches ÷ (cross-section × length). The cross-section is the end of one piece in square inches.
| Type of piece | End area | Pieces, 16 in long | Pieces, 24 in long |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small kindling split, about 2 x 3 in | 6 sq in | 1,440 | 960 |
| Small split, about 3 x 4 in | 12 sq in | 720 | 480 |
| Medium split, about 4 x 5 in | 20 sq in | 432 | 288 |
| Large split, about 5 x 6 in | 30 sq in | 288 | 192 |
| Big round, about 7 x 7 in | 49 sq in | 176 | 118 |
A cord of medium 16 inch splits is about 432 pieces. The real count varies by supplier and by how the wood was split.
If the solid wood is less
With only 65 cubic feet of solid wood in the cord, the count of medium 16 inch splits falls to 351. At 90 cubic feet it rises to 486. That spread, about 40%, is why you should buy by the stacked measure and not by a piece count.
Whole logs and trees
If you cut your own, a log's volume comes from its diameter and length: π × (diameter ÷ 2)² × length. A 12 inch log 8 ft long holds 6.3 cubic feet, so it takes about 13 of them for 80 cubic feet of solid wood. The log weight calculator also gives log volume.
To check what has been delivered, use the firewood cord calculator. The stack definition is on the cord dimensions page.
Frequently asked questions
How many logs are in a cord of wood?
It depends on the size of the pieces. A cord of medium 16 inch splits is about 432 pieces, and small splits run higher.
How much solid wood is in a cord?
About 65 to 90 cubic feet, out of 128 cubic feet of stack.
How many trees make a cord?
A tree 12 inches across and 40 feet of usable trunk holds about 31 cubic feet, so two to three such trees make a cord.
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Buying and Storing Firewood (FS-937)
- Northern Woodlands: A cord is a cord is a cord