A cord of firewood is a stack 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long: 128 cubic feet (3.62 m³) of wood, “racked and well stowed”. In Canada, bulk firewood can legally be sold by the cord or fractions of a cord, the stacked cubic metre or the cubic foot. A “face cord” or “stove cord” is not a legal unit, and it is much smaller than a full cord.
The units, side by side
| Unit | Size | Legal for selling firewood in Canada? |
|---|---|---|
| Cord | 4 × 4 × 8 ft = 128 ft³ (3.62 m³) | Yes, or fractions of a cord |
| Stacked cubic metre | 1 m³ = 35.3 ft³ | Yes (Measurement Canada’s recommended unit) |
| Cubic foot | 1 ft³ | Yes |
| “Face cord” / “stove cord” | One row, often 4 × 8 ft × the length of the pieces (about 1/3 of a cord with 16 in pieces) | No |
Source: Measurement Canada, Selling firewood.
How to compare firewood prices
- Convert to cubic feet or cubic metres. Ask for the stacked dimensions, multiply height × depth × length.
- Divide the price by the volume to get a price per ft³ or per m³.
- Check the moisture. Wet wood gives far less heat; dry firewood is usually advised below about 20% moisture. A cheap cord of green wood can cost more per unit of heat.
- Ask about delivery and stacking. Loose, thrown piles take more space than stacked wood.
What does a cord cost?
Prices vary widely by region, species and season, so always ask what volume the price is for. Whatever the price, compare it per unit of heat with other fuels; our pellets vs firewood guide shows how. To turn a quoted pile into cords and a price per full cord, use the firewood calculator.
Firewood, pellets or eco logs?
- Firewood: cheapest per unit of heat when you can buy it dry; needs space and handling.
- Wood pellets: for pellet stoves; consistent and compact. See heating pellets.
- Eco logs: for wood stoves and fireplaces; very dry, stack indoors. See eco logs and eco logs vs firewood.
Frequently asked questions
How much firewood is in a cord?
128 cubic feet (3.62 m³) of stacked wood, a pile 4 ft high, 4 ft deep and 8 ft long.
What is a face cord?
A trade term for a single row of stacked wood, usually much less than a cord. It is not a legal unit for selling firewood in Canada, so ask for the dimensions in feet or metres.
How many cubic feet are in a cord of firewood?
128 cubic feet.
How long does a cord of firewood last?
It depends on your stove, your home and how cold the winter is. Track how many weeks one cord lasts you, then plan from there.