What Is A Cord, Face Cord And Rick Of Firewood?

How heavy is a cord of wood?Factors affecting the average weight of a cord of woodThe right Cord of wood dimensionsHow much does a rick of wood weigh?How much does a face cord of wood weigh?

An average cord of wood can weigh about 5,000 pounds on the higher side based on the volume of 128 cubic feet

A cord of wood is 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long

The measurements notwithstanding, the weight of a cord will vary depending on the wood species involved

Some wood types are heavier than others

Factors such as moisture content also influence weight

Also, you will often find that a cord of split pieces of wood weighs more than one consisting of round logs

So you may want to keep all these factors in mind when determining the weight of a cord

More importantly, you can use these weighted estimates to approximate a full cord when buying wood

For example, you may opt for split wood instead of round logs based on your knowledge of how their weights compare

The weight of seasoned wood will also differ significantly from freshly cut logs

So, expect a green cord of wood with high moisture content to weigh considerably higher than seasoned wood

When using the weight of accord to make any purchase decision, it is essential to know the firewood species and type you are buying Additionally, you will need to understand their moisture content and how that impacts the weight

These details are essential because cords of wood can range from about 2000 pounds to north of 5000 pounds

Other than the weight of a cord, it is essential to know the approximate number of wood pieces in a cord when buying

What is the size of a cord of wood?

Ideally, a cord contains approximately 700 pieces of split wood

If they are round, non-split logs, the number can be significantly lower due to the larger size of each log

Even for split pieces, the exact number of wood pieces still varies depending on how they are split

The moisture levels in the wood and the species also tend to influence how many pieces are in a unit of measurement

A cord of wood weight: Factors to Consider

A cord of wood is ideally a volume measurement

To get the correct weight measure of a cord of wood, you will need to know the various factors that influence the weight of individual pieces of wood and how they impact the cord

Wood from different trees generally differs in structure, which in turn influences their weight

Dense hardwoods such as wood silver maple, cherry, oak, and walnut are generally heavier than their softwood cousins, such as pine, cedar, fir, and spruce

With this knowledge in mind, you can have a rough idea of what to expect from the wood you intend to buy

For example, if you are dealing with a cord of seasoned hardwood, you can expect it to weigh mostly between 4000 and 5000 pounds

On the other hand, a cord of seasoned softwood may weigh between 2000 and 3000 pounds

So, familiarizing yourself with which type of wood is heavier will give you a better picture of what to expect in terms of the weight of the cord

Other than the hardwood and softwood classification, you may also need to know that different trees within the same classification may have different weights

The wood’s moisture content can constitute up to 1000 pounds of the total weight

So it is essential to consider whether you are buying the wood wet or dried

Typically, a cord of green wood will weigh twice as much as one consisting of dried wood

This is because green wood has a significantly high moisture content that diminishes as the wood dries

A cord made up of split wood weighs more than one consisting of round logs

When the wood is not split, it takes up more space, so there will be fewer logs in the cord

With fewer logs come less weight than a unit of split logs

Additionally, the number of logs will vary based on how the wood has been split

When the wood is split into smaller sizes, the pieces will reduce the spaces between them

Consequently, the resulting cord will be heavier than one with larger logs

How the wood is stacked determines the amount of space remaining between logs

Haphazardly or loosely stacked pieces of wood take up more space, leaving lots of unoccupied spaces between individual logs

And since a cord of wood is a volume measurement, the loosely stacked wood pieces are likely to create a cord with less weight

Such cord will weigh less than one with tightly packed pieces of wood

In addition, the careful stacking helps reduce the number of air pockets left in the cord

So when buying wood in cords, you may want to have the wood uniformly stacked to ensure more pieces of wood

Buying from a vendor who cuts corners by selling their wood in loosely piled cords can mean you are ending up with less wood than a true cord

Why does the weight of a cord of wood matter?

Logs of wood are usually sold by the cord

And a cord is a volume of wood pieces measuring 4 feet wide, 4 feet high, and 8 feet long

When buying wood logs, relying on one parameter might be a terrible way to assess the value for money, especially if you are dealing with unscrupulous vendors

Such a vendor might want to get away with the full payment for a cord in exchange for less wood

This is where the other measures, such as the weight, come in

Knowing the expected weight of a cord can help you determine if you are getting the full value for your money or not

It is essential to have an idea of what to expect of a cord to evaluate the value and know if you are getting what you are paying for

The weight also matters when hauling the wood home

For instance, a half-ton pickup truck is only designed to carry about 1,000 pounds of weight

Once you know the weight of the cord you are buying, you can divide it by 1000 pounds and know how many trips you must make if you transport them in a half-ton pickup truck

Planning with the weight in mind can help you save on gas

Based on the great impact of moisture content on a cord of wood, you may also decide to transport wood only after it has dried

That can save you half the number of trips you would have to make with a cord of greenwood

Factors that can affect the weight of wood

Just as certain factors influence the weight of a cord of wood, some factors affect the weight of individual logs of wood

The size of the wood

Size may appear like the most obvious determinant of weight, but some people may not understand how that is significant

When referring to the wood size, it is important to note that all aspects of the wood’s measurements count

Additionally, any irregularities in the shape of a piece of wood will go a long way in influencing its size, which affects the weight

So it is important to look at all these aspects when considering the size of wood with the aim of establishing its impact on weight

The level of moisture in the wood

Moisture is typically the most overlooked determinant of weight in wood

Interestingly, it can double the weight of wood

So you will typically find that freshly cut wood is about two times the weight of the wood when it is dry

Because moisture constitutes a large percentage of the weight of wood, many people prefer to let them dry before buying or hauling them

Different types of wood have different densities, hence varying weights

A piece of hardwood will weigh more than an equivalent piece of softwood with the same shape and size

For instance, a popular hardwood such as oak will weigh almost twice the weight of softwood like pine or Douglas fir

How much does a cord of oak wood weigh?

Oak is a very popular and common type of wood with multiple uses

It is a very versatile wood and does an excellent job in various applications requiring hardwood

This hardwood has a characteristic aroma that comes out when it burns, making it a preferred choice for firewood

This section looks at the estimated weights of a cord of the four most popular types of oak, namely red oak, bur oak, pin oak, and white oak

Estimated weights of various types of oak

This is the heaviest group of oaks, weighing approximately 5580 pounds when green

This weight easily earns white oak a seat at the table of the heaviest hardwoods in the world

This oak is still significantly heavy when dry, weighing roughly 4210 pounds

Bur Oak Bur oak is the second heaviest of the classification, weighing roughly 4970 pounds when green

It dries to a lighter cord, weighing slightly under 4000 pounds, at around 3770 pounds

Either way, hauling both types of oak in a pickup truck will mean several trips

They have the same weight, at approximately 4890 pounds when green

When completely dry, both pin and red oak wood pieces weigh about 3530 pounds

How much does a cord of pine wood weigh?

Pine does not burn too well, making it a less preferred choice for firewood compared to oak

Hardwoods are generally preferred for burning wood than softwoods, so you may want to keep this in mind when deciding on woods to buy for that application

That said, here are the three most common sub-classifications of pine wood and their respective weights

Estimated weights for various types of pine

This pine is the heaviest type when green due to its exceedingly high moisture level

So when wet, it weighs approximately 3610 pounds

As soon as it dries, ponderosa pine loses its first place at the top of the heaviest pine wood species list, weighing about 2340 pounds

If you were to transport this wood, the best idea is to let it dry first then easily transport it in fewer trips

Jack pine weighs roughly 3205 pounds when wet, slightly below ponderosa pine

However, it easily takes the top place when dry, weighing about 2493 pounds

The lightest in this list of pine woods is the eastern white pine, weighing about 2790 pounds when green and roughly 2255 pounds after shedding its moisture

How much is half a cord of wood

A half cord of wood dimensions is typically 4 feet (width), 4 feet (height), and 4 feet (depth)

This means half a cord of wood is generally 64 cubic feet

Each piece of wood in the cord is historically cut to four-foot lengths, which explains the constant 4-foot width in a full cord of wood as the half cord

When buying wood, you must keep in mind how you will haul it, and cutting wood to size is the first step in that direction

When purchasing wood, how big is a half cord of wood is a question most people ask because a full cord is generally too heavy for a standard pickup truck to carry in one trip

So you must plan for several trips if you intend to haul an entire cord of wood

How much does a cord of firewood weigh?

A cord of firewood typically weighs between 2000 and 4000 pounds when dried correctly

This average does not apply to greenwood as the moisture content can significantly drive up the weight to nearly double the weight of seasoned firewood

The weight of a cord of firewood varies widely depending on various factors

The dryness of the wood, its specific species, size, and arrangement in the cord can all impact the weight of the cord of firewood

How much does a cord of hardwood weigh?

Hardwoods are generally denser than other wood types, weighing as much as 5500 pounds or heavier when green

On average, a cord of hardwood will weigh between 4000 pounds and 5500 pounds

When dry, the average weight of hardwoods per cord drops significantly to somewhere between 3000 and 4000 pounds

Just like any wood, the average weight of a cord of hardwood depends on the specific wood species, size of the logs, moisture content, and more

How much does a rick of wood weigh?

A rick of wood can weigh anywhere from approximately 1/3 of a ton, or around 625 pounds for the lightest wood, about 3,000 pounds for the heaviest wood

This means if you have a heavy rick of hardwood, you can expect it to weigh about 1½ tons

Notice that a rick of wood measures and describes how wood is stacked in a cord when packed

The cost of a cord of wood varies across various regions

However, you can expect to pay about 120 to 180 dollars for a split, seasoned hardwood cord

In winter, you may pay more—often as high as 220 to 400 dollars per cord or wood

Since there is no fixed weight of a cord of wood, most sellers might offer a discount to cover the expected variation

Usually, the volume of wood in a cord can vary from the actual weight by about 25 percent

A ¼ cord of wood can weigh about 500 to 1000 pounds, depending on the type of wood involved and whether or not it is dry

Greenwood will typically weigh more in a ¼ cord than seasoned wood

The lightest softwood can weigh less than 500 pounds when completely dry, making it easier to transport

How much does a cord of Douglas fir weigh?

A cord of Douglas fir weighs approximately 3319 pounds when dry, making it significantly lightweight, considering the heaviest hardwood weighs north of 5000 pounds when wet

When dry, Douglas fir weighs about 2970 pounds

How much does a face cord weigh?

A face cord or a third of a cord of kiln-dried firewood weighs approximately 1,200 pounds

A standard face cord of wood 8 feet, by 4 feet, by 16 inches that is not kiln dried will weigh in at about 1600 pounds; 400 pounds more than the kiln-dried option

What Does a Cord of Wood Weigh Summary

A cord of wood is an essential measurement in wood purchases

However, since a cord is a volume measurement, it may not accurately measure the amount of wood you are buying

So knowing how to weigh and what to expect of a cord in terms of weight is essential

Everyday, millions of tons of wood are harvested, bought, and sold around the world

Dealing in these huge volumes means it’s essential to be able to measure wood quantities in easy-to-understand measurements, such as a cord, half-cord, and rick

That leads us to the question of how much does a cord of wood weigh?

A cord of wood weighs approximately 4,000 pounds, depending on the type of wood and how much moisture the wood contains

A cord of wood is too much to fit into the bed of a pickup

Typical Full Cord Weights For Different Kinds Of Wood

How Much Does A Half Cord Of Wood Weigh?

The weight of a half cord depends on the type of wood and the amount of moisture content it has

With that in mind, a half cord can weigh anywhere between 1,400 to 2,500 pounds (635 to 1,133 kg), on average

A half cord of wood measures 2 feet tall by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long or 4 feet by 4 feet by 4 feet, which is equivalent to 64 cubic feet

How Big Is A Cord Of Wood?

A cord of wood is an official measurement and contains a pile of firewood that measures 4 feet wide by 4 feet high by 8 feet long or 128 cubic feet of wood

What Is A Rick Of Wood?

A rick of wood, or face cord as it is also called, is the term used to describe how a cord of wood is stacked

firewood for your home then you’ll probably come across what’s known as a

A cord of firewood is a common term used to

describe the size of a stack of firewood, so what is a cord of firewood?

cord is a unit used to measure the dry volume of firewood, and the size of a

cord of firewood is 4’ wide, 8’ wide and 4’ deep

A cord of firewood can go by a number of different

names and so we’ve explained what a cord of firewood is along with all the

A cord of firewood can be considered a

A cord of firewood will measure 4 ft

deep, coming to a total volume of 128 cubic ft

As firewood can come in many different

shapes and sizes, a cord of firewood is a stack of logs that have been packed

pieces of wood

buying a cord of firewood you’re paying for a defined size and so whatever the

size of logs the total amount of firewood received will always be the same

Buying a cord of firewood can therefore be

a more suitable option for those wanting an accurate amount of wood to burn,

rather than buying a generic ‘stack’ of firewood that can vary in size and

full cord of firewood is a cord of firewood in which the length of the logs

fill the full 4’ of space, meaning that a full cord of firewood will have only one

A full cord of firewood is essentially

another term used to describe a cord of firewood

therefore typically be 4’ high by 8’ wide by 4’ deep

Finding a full cord of firewood on offer

typically be too large for the majority of fireplaces and stoves

A cord of firewood can more commonly be

sold as a face cord of firewood

face cord of firewood is typically a stack of firewood measuring 4 ft

The depth of a face cord of firewood is typically

a third of the depth of a full cord of firewood

4’ may not be a suitable size of log for

be used in a typically sized fireplace or stove

commonly sold as a face cord of firewood

in which the length of the logs is reduced down to 16 inches rather than 4 feet

16 inches is exactly a third of 4ft meaning that although a face cord of

firewood has the same width and height, a face cord of firewood will typically

Depending on the seller, a face cord of

firewood can also be sold as having the same volume of firewood as a full cord,

meaning that there would be three stacks of 16” long logs to complete the full

logs in a face cord of firewood can vary between 16 inches and 18 inches

What Is A Rick Of Firewood?

rick of firewood is another name given to a face cord of firewood, meaning that

a rick of firewood will typically measure 4’ high by 8’ wide by 16” deep

A full cord, face cord and rick of firewood

all typically have the same size frontage of the stack of logs, measuring 8’

As a rick of firewood is another term used

to describe a face cord of firewood, the main difference between a rick or face

cord of firewood and a full cord is the depth

A full cord of firewood will have a stack

of logs that utilizes the whole 4’ of depth, while a rick or face cord of

firewood will typically have a depth of 16 inches (ie one third of the depth

inches in length so that they can be burnt in a typical home fireplace or

A rick of firewood or a face cord of firewood can therefore be more

suitable for the average homeowner compared to a full cord of firewood

Cord Of Firewood

Of Firewood Size

A cord of firewood measures 4’ high, 8’

A half cord of firewood is half the volume

of a full cord of firewood, coming to 64 cubic feet of firewood compared to 128

A half cord of firewood will therefore be a

stack of firewood that fills an area 4ft high, 4ft wide and 4ft deep

Is A Bush Cord Of Firewood?

A bush cord of firewood is another term

has a volume of 128 cubic feet with the dimensions of 4ft high, 8ft wide and

Of Firewood Weight

cord of firewood can weigh up to 5000 pounds

The exact weight of a cord of firewood can

Higher moisture content firewood will be heavier than lower moisture

content firewoodThe type of wood

be denser then softwoods meaning that they can be heavier as a resultHow tightly packed together the

heavier the cord of firewood can be

Of Firewood Price

The cost of a cord of firewood will vary

The type of wood

Kiln dried firewood uses a more involved and costly process compared to

seasoned firewoodThe quality of the wood

and well-cut firewood can demand a higher priceThe moisture content of the

Lower moisture values are more beneficial for firewood but it can take

longer for the wood to reach lower moisture levels

Many Face Cords Are There In A Full Cord Of Wood?

There are typically 3 face cords in a full

A face cord of wood can have a depth of 16 inches for which 3

rows can fit into a full cord of wood that has a depth of 4 feet

Many Rick’s Are There In A Cord Of Wood?

Long Does A Cord Of Firewood Last?

A cord of firewood can typically last 6 to