Common fractions of a cord
All stacks here are 4 ft high. The depth is the length of a piece, so a 16 inch piece is a stack 16 inches deep.
| Fraction | Cubic feet | Length at 4 ft deep | Length at 24 in deep | Length at 16 in deep |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1/8 | 16 | 1.0 ft | 2.0 ft | 3.0 ft |
| 1/4 | 32 | 2.0 ft | 4.0 ft | 6.0 ft |
| 1/3 | 43 | 2.7 ft | 5.3 ft | 8.0 ft |
| 1/2 | 64 | 4.0 ft | 8.0 ft | 12.0 ft |
| 3/4 | 96 | 6.0 ft | 12.0 ft | 18.0 ft |
| 1 | 128 | 8.0 ft | 16.0 ft | 24.0 ft |
A half cord is 64 cubic feet, so a stack 24 inches deep is 8 ft long, and one 16 inches deep is 12 ft long. An eighth of a cord is 16 cubic feet, a stack 4 ft high, 3 ft long and 16 inches deep.
How much fits in a truck
Extension guidance is that a standard pickup holds roughly one fifth to one half of a cord, depending on bed size and how the wood is loaded. Wood stacked level with the bed sides in a full-size 8 ft bed is about half a cord. Thrown in loose, you get less. A dealer who sells a full cord in a pickup is selling short.
| Load | About | Cubic feet stacked |
|---|---|---|
| Short bed, stacked level | 1/3 cord | 43 |
| Full-size 8 ft bed, stacked level | 1/2 cord | 64 |
| Standard bed, loosely thrown | 1/5 to 1/3 cord | 26 to 43 |
| Two loads of a full-size bed | 1 cord | 128 |
Ordering a half cord
- Ask whether the half cord is stacked or loose, and how long the pieces are.
- Compare the price with the full cord price: a half cord should cost about half, with a small premium for a small delivery.
- Plan where to put it. A half cord with 16 inch pieces is a stack 12 ft long and 4 ft high.
Measure what arrives with the firewood cord calculator. The unit itself is explained on the cord dimensions page, and face cords are covered separately.
Frequently asked questions
How big is a half cord of wood?
64 cubic feet: 4 ft high, 4 ft long and 4 ft deep, or 4 ft high, 8 ft long and 2 ft deep.
How much firewood fits in a pickup truck?
About one fifth to one half of a cord. A full-size 8 ft bed stacked level holds about half a cord.
How many face cords are in a half cord?
1.5 face cords of 16 inch wood, or 2 face cords of 12 inch wood.
Sources
- University of Maryland Extension: Buying and Storing Firewood (FS-937)
- Northern Woodlands: A cord is a cord is a cord