Firewood Measurements: Cords, Cubic Metres & What You’re Actually Buying
Firewood pricing only makes sense when the quantity is clear. Learn Canada’s legal firewood units, how to measure a stacked delivery yourself, and why terms like “face cord” and “truckload” need a second question.
1 cord = 128 stacked cubic feet
Measure the stacked volume—not the loose pile—and compare sellers using a clearly stated legal quantity.
Three Canadian firewood units worth knowing
Measurement Canada identifies the stacked cubic metre, cubic foot and cord—or fractions of a cord—as legal units for selling bulk firewood.
One Cord
A cord is a defined stacked volume. It can also be sold as a fraction, such as ½, ⅓ or ¼ cord.
Stacked Cubic Metre
A metric legal unit. Measurement Canada recommends the stacked cubic metre because it can reduce confusion caused by informal cord terms.
Cubic Foot
Bulk firewood may also be sold in cubic feet. A full cord is equivalent to 128 cubic feet of stacked firewood.
What Measurement Canada says about buying firewood
The goal is simple: the seller and buyer should both understand exactly how much firewood is being sold.
Use a recognized quantity.
Measurement Canada’s consumer guidance recommends ordering bulk firewood in legal units such as stacked cubic metres or cords. It specifically does not recommend purchasing quantities described only as “face,” “stove” or “apartment” cords because these terms can cause confusion.
Measurement Canada advises buyers to ask for a receipt showing the quantity and type of firewood, seller information and price paid.
Measurement Canada: Buying Firewood →What common firewood selling terms actually tell you
| Term | Is the quantity defined? | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| Cord | Yes — 128 stacked cubic feet. | “Is the price for one full cord?” |
| ½ / ⅓ / ¼ cord | Yes — a stated fraction of a full cord. | “Is that fraction measured as stacked volume?” |
| Stacked cubic metre | Yes — metric stacked volume. | “How many stacked cubic metres are included?” |
| Cubic foot | Yes — stacked volume. | “How many cubic feet does the order contain?” |
| Face cord | Not by the name alone. | “What are the stack dimensions or legal quantity?” |
| Stove / apartment cord | Not by the name alone. | “How much stacked volume is that?” |
| Truckload / trailer load | No — vehicle sizes and stacking vary. | “What legal quantity or stacked dimensions does the load equal?” |
| Bag / bundle | Depends on the labelled package quantity. | “What volume is shown on the label?” |
How to calculate stacked firewood volume
Stack the wood closely and measure the outside dimensions. Then calculate the rectangular volume.
Using feet
Once you have the stacked cubic feet, divide by 128 to calculate cords.
8 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft = 128 ft³
128 ÷ 128 = 1 cord
Using metres or centimetres
If measuring in centimetres, multiply the three dimensions and divide by 1,000,000 to get cubic metres.
200 cm × 100 cm × 100 cm = 2,000,000 cm³
= 2 stacked m³
How to verify a bulk firewood delivery
When quantity matters, a loose pile is difficult to verify. A stacked measurement gives you something objective to compare with your order.
- Confirm the order before delivery. Keep the quantity, wood type, price and delivery terms in writing.
- Be present if possible. Measurement Canada advises buyers to be there when bulk firewood is received.
- Stack the wood closely. Arrange the pieces in a stable stack so length, height and width can be measured.
- Measure the outside dimensions. Use feet/inches or metric measurements consistently.
- Calculate the stacked volume. Compare that result with the legal quantity stated on your receipt or order.
- Raise a shortage promptly. If you believe you received less than you paid for, contact the seller before using the wood.
Three measurement traps that make prices look better than they are
A low price is only meaningful if the amount of wood is comparable.
Comparing “loads”
A pickup box, dump trailer and tandem truck can all be called a load. Compare legal volume, not the vehicle name.
Assuming every face cord is equal
The visible face might look similar while the log length—and therefore total volume—changes significantly.
Comparing loose vs. stacked volume
Loose-tossed firewood contains more air space. A stacked-volume measurement is not the same as the dimensions of a loose pile.
Price per cord only works when the quantities are equivalent
Before deciding one supplier is cheaper, normalize the quantity and then consider what else is included.
Compare the wood
- Same quantity or converted equivalent.
- Similar wood condition and moisture.
- Comparable species or hardwood mix.
- Similar log length and split size.
Then compare the service
- Delivery fee and minimum order.
- Distance travelled and access requirements.
- Dumped versus stacked delivery.
- Kindling, bags or other extras.
- Supplier reputation and reliability.
Bagged and bundled firewood uses different labelling rules
Measurement Canada states that the declared quantity of prepackaged firewood must be shown in cubic decimetres (dm³). A cubic-foot quantity may also appear in addition to the metric unit.
- Look for the declared volume on the package label.
- Compare packages by volume rather than bag appearance.
- Check whether kindling and firewood are being sold as separate products.
- Large air spaces in a bag can affect how much wood visually appears to be present.
- Keep the package/receipt if you believe the declared quantity is inaccurate.
- Prepackaged retail quantity complaints fall under a different federal enforcement path than bulk firewood measurement complaints.
Firewood measurement FAQ
How big is a cord of firewood?
A cord is 128 stacked cubic feet. A classic example is a stack 8 feet long by 4 feet high by 4 feet deep, although any dimensions that total 128 stacked cubic feet can represent one cord.
Is a face cord a real measurement?
The term is commonly used in the marketplace, but by itself it does not tell you a complete legal quantity because log length can vary. Measurement Canada does not recommend buying firewood using terms such as face, stove or apartment cord without a clear legal quantity.
How many cubic metres are in a cord?
Measurement Canada’s measuring guidance uses approximately 3.6 stacked cubic metres per cord. To convert stacked cubic metres to cords, divide by 3.6.
Does 8 × 4 × 4 feet always equal one cord?
Yes, when those are the dimensions of a closely stacked firewood pile: 8 × 4 × 4 = 128 cubic feet, which equals one cord.
Is a truckload the same as a cord?
No. “Truckload” describes the delivery vehicle, not a standardized quantity. Ask what stacked volume or fraction of a cord the load represents.
Should firewood be measured loose or stacked?
Canada’s bulk firewood units are based on stacked volume. A loose pile contains varying amounts of air space and is not directly comparable to a closely stacked measurement.
What should be on my receipt?
Measurement Canada advises buyers to get a receipt showing the quantity and type of firewood, the seller’s name, address and phone number, and the price paid.
Compare firewood suppliers with confidence.
Find local suppliers, understand what they sell and ask the right questions before placing your order.