You're standing in the driveway, staring at a pile of oak that looked way bigger in the back of the guy's pickup truck. He’s already gone, $400 richer, and you’re starting to do the math. Does this look like 128 cubic feet? Probably not. It never does. Figuring out exactly how much is a full cord of firewood is honestly one of those things that should be simple but ends up being a total headache because of how people measure (or don't measure) what they're selling.
Most folks think a "truckload" is a cord. It isn't. Not even close. If you’re buying wood to keep your house warm through a long winter, you need to know the math before the delivery truck pulls up. Otherwise, you’re just donating money to a stranger with a chainsaw.
The Brutal Math of a Full Cord
Let’s get the technical stuff out of the way immediately. A cord is a volume measurement. Specifically, it is 128 cubic feet of wood. Usually, that’s described as a stack that is 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long.
But here’s the kicker: that measurement includes the air.
If you stack it loosely, you’re getting less wood and more oxygen. If the logs are all twisty and knotty, you’re getting even less. In the firewood world, we talk about "tightly stacked" wood. You want those logs nestled together like they’re trying to stay warm. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, a well-stacked cord actually contains about 85 cubic feet of solid wood. The rest is just the gaps between the bark.
If someone sells you a "face cord," "rick," or "stove cord," they are not selling you a full cord. A face cord is generally just one row of a stack—usually 4 feet high and 8 feet long, but only as deep as a single log (usually 16 inches). That means a face cord is basically one-third of a full cord. If you pay full cord prices for a face cord, you just got taken for a ride. It happens every day.
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What Does a Cord Actually Cost in 2026?
Price is a moving target. It’s like buying gas or eggs; it depends on where you live and how much work you’re willing to do yourself.
Right now, for seasoned hardwood like oak, maple, or hickory, you’re looking at anywhere from $300 to $600 per cord. In some parts of the Northeast or the Pacific Northwest where demand is sky-high, I’ve seen it hit $700. If you’re buying "green" wood—wood that was a standing tree two weeks ago—it’ll be cheaper, maybe $200 or $250. But you can't burn green wood. It won't catch. It’ll just hiss and smoke and coat your chimney in creosote, which is a great way to start a house fire.
Regional Price Swings
If you’re in a rural area in the Midwest, $350 might be the standard. Head over to an urban center where people want "boutique" firewood for their outdoor fire pits, and the price skydives upward. Kiln-dried wood is the gold standard and carries the highest price tag. It’s been baked in a massive oven to drop the moisture content below 20% instantly. It’s bug-free, easy to light, and expensive. You’re paying for the convenience of not having to wait a year for nature to dry the wood for you.
Don't Fall for the "Pickup Truck" Myth
This is where most homeowners lose their shirts. A guy shows up with a standard 1/2-ton pickup truck (like an F-150 or a Silverado) and tells you the bed is full, so it’s a cord.
He’s lying.
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A standard 8-foot pickup bed filled to the top of the rails is only about 80 cubic feet. That’s roughly 60% of a cord. If they have a short-bed truck? You’re lucky if you’re getting half a cord. To get a full 128 cubic feet into a standard pickup, the wood would have to be stacked well above the cab. If the wood is just tossed in loosely (what we call a "thrown cord"), you need about 180 cubic feet of space to equal the 128 cubic feet of a stacked cord.
Always ask: "Is this price for a stacked cord or a thrown cord?" If they look at you sideways, find a different seller.
Why the Species of Wood Changes the Value
Not all cords are created equal. A cord of white oak has the heat equivalent of about 250 gallons of heating oil. A cord of white pine? It’s more like 120 gallons.
If you’re paying the same price for softwoods that you’d pay for hardwoods, you’re losing money. Softwoods like pine, fir, and cedar are great for kindling because they catch fast. They smell amazing. But they burn like paper. You’ll be loading the stove every two hours. Hardwoods like ash, oak, and beech are dense. They’re heavy. That density translates to "BTUs"—British Thermal Units. Basically, heat.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has done some great work on this, ranking wood by BTU output. They point out that heavy, dense wood that has been dried properly is always the best value. Moisture is the enemy of heat. If your wood is wet, the fire has to use all its energy just to boil the water out of the log before it can actually start heating your living room.
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Tips for Measuring Your Delivery
When the wood arrives, don't just point to the backyard and say "put it there."
- Measure the truck bed. Do it before they start tossing logs.
- Stack it immediately. You can't truly know how much is a full cord of firewood until it is stacked.
- Check for moisture. Buy a $20 moisture meter from the hardware store. Stick the prongs into a freshly split face of a log. If it reads over 25%, that wood isn't seasoned. It’s "green." If you were promised seasoned wood and got green wood, you should ask for a discount. Wet wood is heavier, meaning the seller spent more on gas to move it, but it’s worth less to you as a fuel source.
The Appearance of a Cord
A real cord is big. It’s a lot of wood. If you’re stacking it 4 feet high, it’s 8 feet long and 4 feet deep. That’s usually two or three rows deep depending on how long the logs are cut. Most stove wood is cut to 16 inches. So, a full cord would be three rows of 16-inch logs, each row being 4 feet high and 8 feet long. If you only have one row, you have a face cord. Don't let anyone convince you otherwise.
Hidden Costs: Delivery and Stacking
Most quotes you see on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are for "dumped" wood. They back the truck up, hit the hydraulic lift, and leave a mountain of oak in your driveway. If you want them to stack it, expect to pay an extra $50 to $100. It’s back-breaking work.
Also, watch out for delivery fees. If you live 30 miles out of town, that "cheap" cord might suddenly cost an extra $75 in "fuel surcharges." Always get the total price, delivered and dropped, in writing—even if it’s just a text message—before they leave their yard.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Buy
To make sure you get exactly what you pay for, follow this checklist next time you order:
- Specify the Volume: Use the term "128 cubic feet" or "Full Cord." Avoid using the term "truckload."
- Ask About the Cut: 16-inch lengths are standard for most wood stoves. If the logs are 24 inches, they might not fit in your stove, and you'll be re-cutting them all weekend.
- Check the Species: Ask for a mix or 100% hardwood. Avoid "mixed woods" if that mix includes a lot of poplar or pine, unless you’re just using it for a campfire.
- The "Clink" Test: Hit two logs together. Seasoned wood sounds like a baseball bat hitting a ball—a sharp "clink." Wet wood sounds like a dull "thud."
- Inspect the Bark: Look for bark that is falling off and cracks (checks) on the ends of the logs. These are signs of well-seasoned wood.
Buying firewood is a bit of a gamble, but it doesn't have to be. Once you realize that a cord is a strict mathematical measurement and not a "vibe" or a "feeling" a seller has about their truck, you'll stop overpaying. Stack it tight, keep it covered on top (but open on the sides), and you'll have a much warmer, much cheaper winter.