How Much is a Cord of Wood and What Does It Cost

The average cost of a cord of wood is $300, ranging between $150 to $500, depending on several factors. Find out more about how much a cord of wood is and how it’s measured.

What is a Cord of Wood?

A cord of wood is 128 cubic feet or 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. People who use wood as a primary heat source are familiar with how much wood is in a cord and how many cords they need to make it through the winter.

When purchasing cordwood, it’s important to know how big a cord of wood is. Most pickup trucks only hold about one-third to one-half of a cord of wood, so if you’re new to purchasing firewood, don’t let anyone fool you.

When You Should Have a Cord of Wood

Firewood is a primary heat source for about 2% of homes in the United States. Another 6% of US households use wood stoves as a secondary heat source.
Many homeowners have wood-burning fireplaces for recreational use, either in their living room, backyard firepit, or sauna. Homeowners in cold climates use wood heat during power outages as a reliable backup for extreme weather events.

Factors in Calculating Costs of Wood Cords

To get your money’s worth, it’s important to know more than just how much wood is in a cord. Several factors help determine the cost of a cord of wood, including the type of wood, location and availability, and delivery fees.

Type of Wood

Not all wood burns the same, and some put out more heat than others. Hardwoods are generally the best but aren’t readily available in all areas.

Location and Availability

Different tree species grow in various climate regions, so some types of firewood are harder to get in certain areas. In desert climates, firewood is more expensive than it is if you live close to a national forest.

Seasoned vs. Green Wood

Green wood doesn’t burn efficiently, so if you’re heating your home with wood, it’s critical to have a supply of seasoned firewood to get you through the winter. You must allow 6 months to a year for most woods to cure properly, with hardwoods taking longer than softwoods.

Green wood is more readily available than seasoned wood, so it’s usually less expensive. If you have enough time to let it season before winter hits, you may be able to save money by purchasing it while it’s still green.

Note: This blog is only for learning purposes.

Length

It’s important to know how long your firewood needs to be to fit in your stove. The standard firewood length is 16 inches because three rows of 16-inch firewood equals four feet, which is the width of a cord of wood.

You could pay more if you need a shorter length, like 12 inches because it takes longer to cut and stack. Likewise, if you burn 24-inch wood, it could cost less.

Some firewood merchants charge extra for delivery and stacking fees, usually about $50 to $150 per load. Others include these services in their prices. It’s common for many sellers to stack firewood for senior citizens at no extra charge.

How can I tell if the wood is seasoned?

There are several ways to tell if wood is properly seasoned for burning in your fireplace. When purchasing firewood, here is what you should look for:

Cracking or checking–You’ll see check marks in the wood when it’s properly seasoned.
Not as heavy–Green firewood is full of sap and water, making it almost impossible to burn.
Hardness–Dried wood is hard, while green wood can be dented.
Bark–The bark of seasoned firewood becomes loose and starts to fall off.
Fading–As wood dries and is exposed to light, it loses some of its color.
Split–Firewood that has been split dries and seasons faster than when it’s left in rounds.
Smell–Green firewood smells like sap.
Sound–When struck with another piece of wood, seasoned wood makes a hollow sound.