Face cord size by log length
| Log length | Face cord size (H × L × D) | Cubic feet | Share of a full cord | Face cords per cord | Bundles (0.75 ft³) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 in | 4 ft × 8 ft × 12 in | 32.0 | 1/4 | 4 | 43 |
| 16 in | 4 ft × 8 ft × 16 in | 42.7 | 1/3 | 3 | 57 |
| 18 in | 4 ft × 8 ft × 18 in | 48.0 | 3/8 | 2.67 | 64 |
| 24 in | 4 ft × 8 ft × 24 in | 64.0 | 1/2 | 2 | 86 |
The face (4 × 8 ft) is the same for every face cord; only the depth changes with the length of the logs. That is why “a face cord” can be anywhere from a quarter to a half of a real cord. Ask the seller the log length and the dimensions of the stack.
Other ways to stack 128 cubic feet
Any stack that multiplies out to 128 ft³ is a cord. At 8 ft long:
| Height | Length | Depth needed | Cubic feet |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 ft | 8 ft | 4.00 ft (48 in) | 128 |
| 5 ft | 8 ft | 3.20 ft (38 in) | 128 |
| 6 ft | 8 ft | 2.67 ft (32 in) | 128 |
| 8 ft | 8 ft | 2.00 ft (24 in) | 128 |
Worked example
| Stack | Cubic feet | Full cords | Face cords (4 × 8 ft face) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 ft long × 5 ft high × 16 in deep | 66.7 | 0.52 | 1.56 |
| 12 ft long × 6 ft high × 2 ft deep | 144.0 | 1.12 | 2.25 |
Check the first row: 10 × 5 × (16 ÷ 12) = 66.7 ft³, and 66.7 ÷ 128 = 0.52 cord. Enter your own stack in the firewood calculator.
Rick, run, pile and truckload
“Rick” and “run” are regional names for a face cord, and neither is a legal unit. A pickup “load” or a “pile” has no fixed size, and loosely thrown wood settles into a smaller stack. When you compare prices, convert every quote to cubic feet or full cords first.
Sources: the 128 ft³ cord comes from NIST Handbook 130 as summarised by Washington State Dept. of Agriculture and Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection. Both of those states bar sellers from using “face cord”, “rack”, “pile” or “truckload” as a measure, because the terms have no legal definition; check your state’s rules. Everything else on this page is arithmetic.