Firewood Calculator: Cords, BTU & Winter Prep
Accurate firewood calculator for US homeowners. Measure cords, face cords, BTU output, weight, and estimate how much firewood you need for winter.
Cord + BTU Calculator – Measure Your Stack
Enter your firewood stack dimensions (in feet) and select wood species to calculate total cords, face cords, weight, and heat output.
Weight & BTU assume seasoned wood (20% moisture). Face cord calculated with standard 16-inch split depth.
Winter Heating Estimator – How Much Firewood Do I Need?
Estimate cords required for the 2026-2027 heating season based on your home size, climate zone, and insulation.
Pro tip 2026: Always add 0.5 extra cord for unpredictable cold snaps. Dry wood burns 30% hotter than green wood.
Firewood BTU & Weight Comparison (per full cord, seasoned)
| Wood species | BTU per cord (million) | Weight (lbs / cord) | Ease of splitting | Coaling quality |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Oak | 24.6 | 3850 | Moderate | Excellent |
| Red Oak | 22.5 | 3750 | Easy | Very good |
| Sugar Maple | 24.0 | 3750 | Moderate | Excellent |
| White Ash | 23.6 | 3600 | Easy | Good |
| Yellow Birch | 21.8 | 3350 | Moderate | Good |
| Black Cherry | 20.0 | 2900 | Easy | Fair |
| Douglas Fir | 18.0 | 2700 | Easy | Poor (fast burn) |
🔥 2026 insight: White oak remains the king of BTUs, but ash is ideal if you need easy-splitting firewood. For mixed hardwood, average ~22 million BTU/cord.
How to Calculate a Cord of Firewood (Step by Step)
Official definition: 1 cord = 128 cubic feet (stack 8' long × 4' high × 4' deep). Follow these steps for accurate firewood measurement.
- Stack neatly – Arrange wood in a straight row with minimal gaps.
- Measure length, width (depth), height in feet. Use a tape measure or laser for precision.
- Multiply L × W × H to get total cubic feet. Divide by 128 = full cords.
- Face cord shortcut: If splits are 16" deep, one face cord = 4' high × 8' long → 42.6 cu ft, about 1/3 cord.
- Loose thrown firewood occupies ~30% more volume than tightly stacked. Use conversion: loose volume × 0.7 = stacked cords.
Exclusive 2026 Firewood Insights – Maximize Heat & Savings
🔥 6-point checklist for the 2026 season
- Moisture meter mandate: Only burn wood under 20% moisture – increases BTU by 35% vs green wood.
- Holzhausen stacking method: Circular piles improve airflow; reduces drying time by 2 months.
- Tree to firewood yield: A 20-inch diameter oak (40 ft tall) yields approx 0.6–0.8 cords after splitting.
- Regional cord costs 2026: Northeast $280–$350/cord; Midwest $200–$260; West $250–$320.
- Short bed pickup cord calculator: Standard 6.5’ bed holds ~0.5 cord if stacked level, 0.7 cord with racks.
- Carbon credit awareness: Efficient wood burning reduces net CO2 – check local 2026 incentives.
📏 Quick formula: From log to firewood
To estimate cords from a standing tree: (Diameter² × height × 0.005454) ÷ 128. Example: 18" diameter × 50' = (324 × 50 × 0.005454) = 88.3 cu ft → 0.69 cords. Always add 15% loss from splitting.
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Frequently asked questions – firewood calculator
A cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood (8'L × 4'W × 4'H). Our firewood calculator automatically converts dimensions to cords.
A face cord is typically 1/3 of a full cord (stack 8' long × 4' high with splits 16" deep). Use our calculator: enter depth 1.33 ft → displays face cords.
For very cold zones (Zone 1-3), a 2000 sq ft home needs 4–5 cords. Our winter estimator above gives personalized results for 2026.
White oak (24.6 MBTU/cord) and hickory (24+ MBTU) are top choices. The BTU table above compares common US species.
Yes – measure the pile dimensions, then multiply total cubic feet by 0.7 to get stacked cord equivalent. Our cord results assume tight stacking.
Use the "tree to firewood" formula: DBH² × height × 0.005454 / 128. Check exclusive insight section for detailed example.
Absolutely. Values reflect seasoned wood (20% moisture) based on USDA Forest Products Laboratory data.
Important disclaimer
TotalCalcHub firewood calculator provides estimates only. Actual firewood volume, weight, and BTU output vary based on moisture, stacking density, wood species variations, and local climate. Always consult a professional for home heating decisions. For official cord definitions, refer to state weights and measures regulations.