Firewood Cord Calculator
This firewood cord calculator converts cords, stacked cubic meters, solid cubic meters and loose cubic meters into each other: from one unit it works out all the others. It also turns the dimensions of a wood stack into a volume and compares prices per unit.
Example: What do you want to find: Convert units · Input unit: Cord (US) · Amount 2 → Conversion: 2 cord = 7.25 stacked m³ = 5.18 solid m³ = 10.4 loose m³. Source: Wikipedia – Cord (unit). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Firewood is sold in three volume measures: stacked cubic meters (stacked), solid cubic meters (pure wood) and loose cubic meters (poured loose) – in the US, usually in cords. Because stacked and loose wood contains gaps, a solid cubic meter is much more wood than a stacked one.
The units
- Stacked cubic meter (Rm, also stere): one cubic meter of stacked wood including the air between the logs. The usual trade measure for split logs in Europe.
- Solid cubic meter (Fm): one cubic meter of pure wood without gaps. The forestry measure for standing and felled timber.
- Loose cubic meter (Srm): one cubic meter of loosely poured logs, for example from a trailer – with the most gaps.
- Cord: the American stack measure: 8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft = 128 cubic feet, or 3.62 stacked cubic meters.
Conversion factors
For split logs of about 33 cm the guide values are 1 solid m³ = 1.4 stacked m³ = 2 loose m³. Conversely, one stacked m³ is about 0.7 solid m³. To find how much wood a stack holds, multiply length × height × depth: a stack of 8 ft × 4 ft with 4 ft logs is exactly one cord.
More calculators: the volume converter converts volumes, the volume calculator handles solids, and the energy converter turns units such as kWh and MJ into each other.
Frequently asked questions
How many solid cubic meters are in a stacked cubic meter?
About 0.7 for split logs; 1 solid cubic meter equals roughly 1.4 stacked cubic meters. The exact value depends on log shape and stacking.
How many cubic feet are in a cord of firewood?
A cord is a stack of 8 × 4 × 4 feet, which is 128 cubic feet or 3.62 stacked cubic meters. A face cord is one third of that.
How do I calculate the cords in a wood stack?
Length × height × depth, then divide by 128 cubic feet. A stack 16 ft long, 4 ft high and 16 in deep holds 1/3 cord, a face cord.
What is the difference between stacked and loose cubic meters?
A stacked cubic meter is neatly stacked, a loose one is poured. Loose logs contain more air, so a stacked cubic meter holds more wood: 1 stacked ≈ 1.4 loose.
How do I compare prices from different sellers?
Enter the price per unit: the tool converts it to stacked, solid and loose cubic meters and to cords, so offers can be compared.
Sources and legal basis
As of: · Editorial policy
Related tools
- Pellet consumption calculatorPellet consumption calculator for pellet stoves and boilers: pounds per hour from BTU rating and efficiency, bags per day and pellets per year.
- Propane usage calculatorPropane usage calculator: how long a 20 lb or 100 lb propane tank lasts on a grill, heater or stove, from the BTU rating – in hours and days.
- Liters to gallons converterConvert liters to gallons and back: 1 liter = 0.2642 US gallons. Also UK gallons, pints, cups, cubic meters and barrels – with the working and a table.
- Volume CalculatorVolume calculator for 12 shapes: cylinder, box, sphere, cone, prism, horizontal tank … Mix cm, m, inches and feet – with litres, gallons, formula and sketch.
- Energy ConverterEnergy converter for joules, kJ, MJ, Wh, kWh, calories, kcal, BTU and electronvolts, with conversion factor, comparison chart and appliance run time.
- Mulch CalculatorMulch calculator for beds, tree rings and raised beds: cubic feet and cubic yards with extra, plus how many 1.5, 2 or 3 cu ft bags you need. Works for soil too.
- kg to lbs converterConvert kg to lbs and back: 1 kg = 2.2046 lb. Shows pounds and ounces, stone and pounds, grams, tons and a kg to lbs chart – exact to the legal definition.
- Compost ratio calculator (carbon to nitrogen)Compost ratio calculator: the carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) ratio and moisture of your mix of greens and browns, and how much to add for 30 : 1.
- Bleach dilution calculatorBleach dilution calculator: how much household bleach to add to water for disinfecting – the CDC ratio of 5 tablespoons per gallon, scaled to any amount.