What is a Cord of Wood?
In Canada, firewood is technically measured in cubic feet. However, many people understand standard measurement units more, so the term cord is often used. A cord is measured in parallel, tightly packed stacks. The stack is then classified by volume size.
Since people’s desired quantities of firewood vary, the cord sizes can further be divided into sub-units. These are full, half, face, quarter, and half-face cords of wood. The following table lists the cord units you can find here at Fairwood Firewood.
| Cord Size | Delivery Method | Price |
| Full Cord | Loose | $450 |
| Full Cord | 3 Skids | $450 |
| Face Cord | Loose | $200 |
| Face Cord | 1 Skid | $200 |
The terms and measurements used in the firewood industry are explained more fully below.
Full Cord of Wood
Summary
- Weight: 3,000 – 5,000 pounds
- Number of logs: 600 – 800 logs
- Volume: 128 cubic feet
- Dimensions (feet): 8’ x 4’ x 4’
- Typical log lengths: 12” (1 foot), 16” (1⅓ feet), or 24” (2 feet)
The dimensions of a full cord of wood are 8 feet long, 4 feet wide, and 4 feet high, giving a total volume of 128 cubic feet. It weighs between 3,000 and 5,000 pounds and contains 600 to 800 logs. The lower the moisture content, the less the cord weighs. If you store your firewood properly, the cord will weigh less over time as moisture continues to evaporate. The size of the logs in a cord will determine the number of logs. You can get the log sizes as either 1 foot, 1⅓ feet (16 inches), or 2 feet long, depending on how you’ll be using the firewood. The 16-inch size is the most common. The foot-long sizes are generally for when you’ll be using the firewood in a wood-burning stove.
A cord can be delivered loosely or in skids. Each skid is a third of the full cord, so you’ll get three skids in total. When it’s stacked as a single unit, instead of divided into three, you might see it referred to as a running cord. You might also see the term bush cord and wonder about the difference between bush cord vs full cord. These terms are synonymous, but full cord is used more widely.
Half Cord of Wood
Summary
- Weight: 1,500 – 2,500 pounds
- Number of logs: 300 – 400 logs
- Volume: 64 cubic feet
- Dimensions (feet): 8’ x 2’ x 4’
- Typical log lengths: 24” (2 feet)
As the name suggests, a half cord is simply half of a full cord. It measures 8 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 4 feet high, which is a total of 64 cubic feet in volume. There are about 300 to 400 logs in a half cord, assuming the logs are 2 feet long. A half cord weighs about 1,500 to 2,500 pounds.
Face Cord of Wood
Summary
- Weight: 1,000 – 1,600 pounds
- Number of logs: 200 – 270 logs
- Volume: 42⅔ cubic feet
- Dimensions (feet): 8’ x 1⅓’ x 4
- Typical log lengths: 16” (1⅓ feet)
This size is a third of a full cord. It gets its name from the fact that it looks the same as a full cord when faced head-on because they have the same length and height, 8 feet and 4 feet, respectively. However, the width of a face cord is 1⅓ feet. This means a face cord has a volume of 42⅔ cubic feet. It has about 200 to 270 logs that weigh a total of about 1,000 to 1,600 pounds. Each log is usually 1⅓ feet (16 inches) long. A face cord is essentially the amount of firewood you’ll find in a skid.
Other Dimensions Include:
Quarter Cord of Wood
Summary
- Weight: 750 – 1,250 pounds
- Number of logs: 150 – 200 logs
- Volume: 32 cubic feet
- Dimensions (feet): 4’ x 2’ x 4’
- Typical log lengths: 24” (2 feet)
A quarter cord of wood is a quarter of a full cord. The logs are usually 2 feet long and are stacked 4 feet long, 2 feet wide, and 4 feet high, resulting in a volume of 32 cubic feet. There are around 150 to 200 logs, and they weigh about 750 to 1
Half Face Cord of Wood
Summary
- Weight: 500 – 800 pounds
- Number of logs: 100 – 140 logs
- Volume: 21⅓ cubic feet
- Dimensions (feet): 4’ x 1⅓’ x 4’
- Typical log lengths: 16” (1⅓ feet)
Since a face cord is a third of a full cord, a half-face cord is a sixth of a full cord. Its volume is 21⅓ cubic feet, stacked 4 feet long, 1⅓ feet wide
How Long Does a Cord of Wood Last?
The amount of firewood that you’ll use depends on the size of your house and how often you use firewood. The larger the space to warm, the more firewood will be needed. A full cord is typically ordered by commercial users. Generally speaking, it will last anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks.
For residential use, a full cord might be too much to use over the year unless it’s your main source of heat. Even if that’s the case, you’ll likely have some left after the winter season. Storage might also be an issue with such a large quantity of firewood. A face cord may be more appropriate. If you use firewood mainly for a fireplace and only a few times a year, a half face cord of wood should be enough for the year.
How to Store Firewood
The best place to store your firewood is in a log rack to keep it dry and bug-free. If you don’t have a log rack, just make sure to keep the firewood a few inches above ground on bricks or pallets. Stack the logs in neat rows, leaving enough room between logs for circulation. The driest, oldest logs should be at the top to be used first.
Cover the stack on top with a tarp or some other cover when you’re storing it outside. Leave the sides exposed so that there’s enough ventilation for the firewood to prevent moisture from building up and creating an ideal environment for pests, mould, and musty odours to develop.
Avoid storing it between trees as wind can shift the trees and disturb the pile. We recommend that you store the majority of your firewood outdoors and only bring in enough firewood for a day or two. If you need to store all your firewood indoors, make sure it’s kiln-dried.
Reach out to us for more information on wood cords.