What is a face cord of wood?
Figures checked Nov. 10, 2026
A face cord is a stack 4 ft high x 8 ft long x one log length deep, so how much wood it holds depends on how long the logs are cut. Indiana's forestry division says: A face cord of 16" pieces is actually one third of a standard cord.
Face cords are not standard legal units in most states.
| Unit | Size |
|---|---|
| Face cord | 4 ft high x 8 ft long x one log length deep |
| Face cord of sixteen-inch logs | One third of a full cord |
| Full cord | 4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long (128 cubic feet) |
Face cord
one row of 16 in logs deep
Full cord
4 ft deep: three rows of 16 in logs
Face cord or rick to full cords
The sums behind this tool are tested against 1 worked example printed in published sources, and 7 checks in all, including the limits where it gives no number.
What is a face cord?
Picture the front of a full cord: that is the face. A face cord keeps the same face but is only one row of logs deep.
The University of Maryland Extension says: A standard face cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and the width of one stack of wood, normally 16 to 24 inches.
So the face stays the same and the depth follows the log length.
Maine is the only state we found that defines a face cord in law: A face cord is a unit of measure 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 32 square feet. The length of sticks shall be agreed upon by both parties;
How much wood is in a face cord?
A full cord is four feet deep. A face cord's share of a full cord is its log length divided by those four feet.
For example, logs 24 inches long fill half the depth, so a face cord of them is half a cord. Say the logs are 12 inches long: then a face cord is a quarter of a cord.
The converter above does this for any log length from 8 to 48 inches, the range Massachusetts uses to define firewood. It rounds down, so it doesn't add wood.
How much is a face cord of wood?
We don't list prices: they vary by seller and area. What we can do is make offers comparable.
A low face cord price can still be a high price per cord if the logs are short. Use the price checker, choose face cord, and type the log length. It shows the price per full cord, like for like.
Face cord vs full cord
The two share the same face. The difference is depth, and so the amount of wood.
| Face cord | Full cord | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 4 ft high x 8 ft long x one log length deep | 4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long |
| Volume | Depends on log length | 128 cubic feet |
| Sixteen-inch logs | One third of a full cord | A full cord |
| Legal unit? | No; a banned sales term where states follow the national handbook | Yes |
Is a face cord the same as a rick?
Usually, yes. Indiana's forestry division says most sales are a "face cord" or "rick" (i.e. a 4' x 8' face cut into desired lengths).
Neither name is standard. Virginia Tech's firewood guide says: Face cord, rick, pile, truckload, etc. are not standardized
. Ask the seller for the height, length and log length before you buy. More on rick of wood.
Can firewood be sold by the face cord?
In many places, not officially. The national weights and measures handbook tells sellers not to use "face cord." New Hampshire's rule says firewood may never be sold as a "truckload", "face cord", "rack", or "pile"
.
If a seller quotes face cords, ask for the size in cords or cubic feet as well. Then measure the stack when it arrives with the stack calculator.
Questions people ask
How many face cords are in a full cord?
It depends on log length. With sixteen-inch logs, each face cord is one third of a full cord, so three make one cord.
How big is a face cord of wood?
A face cord is 4 ft high x 8 ft long x one log length deep. Its volume changes with the length of the logs.
Is a face cord a third of a cord?
Only when the logs are sixteen inches long. Longer logs make a face cord bigger; shorter logs make it smaller.
What is the difference between a face cord and a full cord?
Both have the same face. A full cord is 128 cubic feet; a face cord is one row of logs deep.
Sources for this page
8 figures, each with its source
Every figure on this page, with its source. Open one to see the exact words on the source page and how it was checked.
Legal cord (volume of ranked and well-stowed wood): 128 cubic feet Official
From Connecticut Dept. of Consumer Protection: Firewood and Stove Wood Regulations (quotes NIST Handbook 130, 2016), which says: “The amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026. A blind check looked it up again on Nov. 10, 2026 without seeing our figure: the two agreed.
Standard cord dimensions: 4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long Official
From Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 2302 Definitions, which says: “A standard cord is a unit of measure of wood products 4 feet wide, 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Face cord of 16-inch logs as a fraction of a cord: 0.33 cords Official
From Indiana DNR Division of Forestry: Heating With Firewood (Stewardship Notes), which says: “A face cord of 16" pieces is actually one third of a standard cord.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Face cord (general meaning): 4 ft high x 8 ft long x one log length deep Official
From University of Maryland Extension FS-937 (2012): Buying and Storing Firewood & Pellets, which says: “A standard face cord is 8 feet long, 4 feet high, and the width of one stack of wood, normally 16 to 24 inches.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Firewood piece length (Massachusetts definition): 8 to 48 Official
From Mass.gov: Firewood Sales, which says: “Wood sold as “firewood” must be between eight inches and four feet long.” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Sales terms NIST Handbook 130 says not to use: face cord, rack, pile, truckload (and similar) Official
From Washington State Dept. of Agriculture: Firewood Information, which says: “Sellers may not legitimately use terms such as "truckload," "face cord," "rack" or "pile."” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Rick (regional name): usually the same as a face cord: 4 ft x 8 ft face, depth = log length (often 16-24 in); not a standard unit Official
From Indiana DNR Division of Forestry: Heating With Firewood (Stewardship Notes), which says: “most sales are a "face cord" or "rick" (i.e. a 4' x 8' face cut into desired lengths).” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.
Maine: face cord defined in law: 4 ft high x 8 ft long face (32 sq ft); stick length agreed by buyer and seller Official
From Maine Revised Statutes, Title 10, section 2302 Definitions, which says: “A face cord is a unit of measure 4 feet high and 8 feet long, or its equivalent, containing 32 square feet. The length of sticks shall be agreed upon by both parties;” Open the source (opens in a new tab)
Checked Nov. 9, 2026. A second check re-opened the source page and matched it on Nov. 9, 2026.