How much firewood do you need?
Calculate cords, BTU & winter supply.
Three free calculators: convert any stack to cords, face cords, and ricks; compare heat output (BTU) across 23 wood species; and estimate how many cords your home needs for the season. No signup, no tracking, just math.
Cord Calculator Stack → cords
Measure your stack's length, width (depth), and height in feet. We'll convert it to cords, face cords, and ricks.
Face cord: ⅓ cord — a 4×8 ft stack one 16″ row deep.
Rick: one 4×8 ft row; piece length varies, so always confirm it. Full explanation →
Wood Species BTU Comparison Heat output
Dense hardwoods can hold nearly three times the heat of softwoods per cord. Pick a species to see its heat output and how it ranks.
Winter Firewood Supply Estimator Season planning
Estimates seasonal heating energy with the standard degree-day method, then converts it to cords for your chosen species and stove efficiency. Presented as a range — see the caveats.
Firewood BTU Chart — all species ranked
Million BTU per standard cord, seasoned (~20% moisture). Bars show heat relative to the hottest wood on the chart.
| Species & burn notes | MMBTU / cord | Relative heat |
|---|
Firewood guides
How to Season Firewood
Why moisture is the #1 factor in heat output, how to stack for airflow, and how to know when wood is ready.
Cord vs. Face Cord vs. Rick
What each unit actually means, why "rick" is a trap, and how to avoid getting shorted when buying.
Wood Stove Sizing Basics
Why bigger isn't better, how efficiency ratings translate to real heat, and right-sizing rules of thumb.
Common questions
How much firewood do I need for winter?
A home heated primarily with wood typically burns 3–8 cords per season, depending on climate, home size, insulation, and stove efficiency. Use the estimator above with your local heating degree days for a planning range — and buy 10–20% more than you think for your first year.
What is a cord of wood, exactly?
A cord is 128 cubic feet of stacked firewood — for example, a stack 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep. Because of air gaps between pieces, a cord contains roughly 80–85 cubic feet of actual wood.
What's the difference between a cord, a face cord, and a rick?
A cord is the legal standard: 128 stacked cubic feet. A face cord is one-third of a cord — a 4×8-foot stack one 16-inch row deep. A "rick" usually means one 4×8-foot row, but the piece length varies by seller, so it's nonstandard. Many states require firewood to be sold by the cord or fraction of a cord.
Which firewood gives the most heat (BTU) per cord?
Osage orange (hedge) is the hottest common firewood at ~32.9 million BTU per cord, followed by hickory, black locust, and white oak. Softwoods like pine and fir deliver roughly half the heat per cord of dense hardwoods — but burn fine when properly seasoned.
How long does firewood take to season?
Most species need 6–12 months; dense hardwoods like oak often need 18–24 months. Split wood seasons far faster than rounds. It's ready when a freshly split face reads under 20% on a moisture meter.
Is it bad to burn pine in a wood stove?
Dry pine is fine — the "pine causes creosote" warning really applies to wet wood of any species. Seasoned pine lights easily and burns hot and fast; it just won't hold coals overnight like oak. Mix it with hardwoods for the best of both.
Gear that makes firewood easier
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Moisture meters
The single most useful firewood tool. Test a fresh split — under 20% means ready to burn.
See moisture meters →EPA-certified wood stoves
Modern stoves extract 63–83% of wood's heat vs. ~50% for older models. Sizing guide above.
Compare wood stoves →Log splitters & mauls
Splitting accelerates seasoning dramatically. Match the tool to your wood volume.
See splitters & mauls →