We get asked about firewood terms quite often. Specifically, since most people don’t understand the difference between terms, such as a rick and a cord.
Officially speaking, the standard firewood measurements are a “cord” and a “rick”. However, depending on where you are, those can mean different things. (They also can be used incorrectly by firewood retailers.)
The one thing you need to know about buying firewood is how long are the logs? Simply, how long the longs are will most often determine how much firewood you are getting.
Firewood measurements
The first firewood terms that we’ll discuss are measurements. These are the most common terms and what people normally misunderstand.
Generally speaking (and in the case of our firewood), logs average 16” long. If that is the case of the firewood you’re buying, here are the equivalent firewood terms.
Cord (Full cord) – 4’x4’x8′ (128 Cubic Feet)
Stacked as 3 rows of 4’x8’x16″ (log length). This is the official standard in firewood measurement. Frankly, it is a lot of wood. If the cord is 128 cubic feet, the cord volume (usable wood) is about 85 cubic feet. (Wood + air space = 128 cubic feet.)
Half cord (½ of a full cord) – 4’x4’x4′ (64 Cubic Feet)
Rick or Face Cord (1/3 full cord) – 4’x8’x16″ (Log length) – 42.6 Cubic Feet
Quarter Cord (1/4 cord) – 4’x6’x16″ (Log length)
Bundle – .75 (3/4) Cubic Feet
Bushel Baskets
2 Bushels – 6.4 Cubic Feet (Around 8 bundles)
4 Bushels – 12.8 Cubic Feet (Around 16 bundles)
6 Bushels – 19.2 Cubic Feet (Around 24 bundles)
Palletized
Cord – 2 Pallets stacked 4’x4’x4′ – 128 Cubic Feet
Half Cord – 1 Pallet stacked 4’x4’x4′ – 64 Cubic Feet
Quarter Cord – 1 Pallet stacked 4’x4’x2′ – 32 Cubic Feet
Other terms
Green – This refers to wood that has been cut and split, but has not been seasoned. In other words, not the wood you would want to use right away until it has dried out some..
Seasoned – This is firewood that has been cut, split and cured (dried) out in the elements. (Often, curing time is 9+ months.) The result should be firewood with less than 20% moisture content.
Dried – This firewood that has been cut, split and dried in a kiln to reduce the moisture in the wood. As a result, this wood is bug-free and and is an expensive firewood.
Barkless – This is wood that has been cut, split and has had the bark removed. Normally, this wood dries faster, but is does not contain hardwoods with thicker bark (i.e. oak).
**Please note: These firewood terms are for your educational use. We don’t offer all measurements, forms or types that may be mentioned on our site.