Firewood Cords
Outdoor Living · 8 specs
Direct Answer
Firewood is legally defined by weights and measures as a Full Cord comprising exactly 128 cubic feet (4×4×8 ft / 3.62 m³) of tightly stacked wood. A Face Cord (Rick) measures 1/3 of a cord (42.7 cu ft) using standard 16-inch split logs seasoned to below 20% moisture.
Source: NIST Handbook 130 (Method of Sale for Firewood) / EPA Burnwise Standards · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Governing Standards | NIST Handbook 130 / EPA Burnwise Wood Burning Standards |
| Full Cord Volume | Exactly 128 cubic feet (3.62 m³ / 3.24 cu meters solid volume) |
| Full Cord Dimensions | 4 feet high × 4 feet wide × 8 feet long (1.22 × 1.22 × 2.44 m) |
| Face Cord (Rick) Volume | 42.7 cubic feet (1.21 m³) | Exactly 1/3 of a full cord |
| Face Cord Dimensions | 4 feet high × 8 feet long using standard 16-inch long logs (1.22 × 2.44 × 0.41 m) |
| Standard Split Log Length | 16 inches (40.6 cm) | Universal stove & fireplace standard |
| Split Log Diameter | 3 to 6 inches (7.6–15.2 cm) across split face |
| Seasoned Moisture Target | Below 20% internal moisture content (EPA Clean Air requirement) |
Firewood Cord Measurements & Volume Matrix
| Measurement Term | Stack Dimensions (H × W × L) | Stack Volume (cu ft) | Metric Volume | Number of 16" Log Rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Cord | 4 ft × 4 ft × 8 ft | 128 cu ft | 3.62 m³ | 3 rows of 16" logs (3× 16" = 48" width) |
| Face Cord (Rick) | 4 ft × 16 in × 8 ft | 42.7 cu ft | 1.21 m³ | 1 row of 16" logs (1/3 of a Full Cord) |
| Quarter Cord | 4 ft × 4 ft × 2 ft | 32.0 cu ft | 0.91 m³ | 3 rows of 16" logs stacked 2 ft long |
| Half Cord | 4 ft × 4 ft × 4 ft | 64.0 cu ft | 1.81 m³ | 3 rows of 16" logs stacked 4 ft long |
| Retail Wood Bundle | ~0.75 to 1.0 cu ft | 0.75 cu ft | 0.021 m³ | ~4–6 split logs shrink-wrapped |