How Much Does a Cord of Wood Cost?

Firewood Prices by Volume

Across the U.S., firewood prices most often range between $150 and $500 per cord on average. A cord of wood is a pile of wood stacked four feet by eight feet by four feet for a volume of 128 cubic feet. 

You can also find it commonly sold in:

• Half cords and third cords (called a face or rick cord). 

• Pickup truck cord or sloppy cord, which is just however much you can fit in a pickup truck.

If you’re interested in setting up this type of heating in your home, fireplace or wood stove installation costs $900 to $4,000.

Bundle

You’ll pay $5 to $15 for a bundle of wood from most stores; tree services generally don’t offer them. A bundle of wood is usually a few pieces of firewood and kindling, often sold for campfires.

• No clear measurement

• Usually a few sticks wrapped in plastic or twine for campfires

Quarter Cord

Quarter cords cost $50 to $125 on average, depending on your location and the type of wood. Most professionals offer it as a choice, but you’ll pay more per cubic foot for this size than any of the other sizes. 

• Measures six feet long by four feet high by 16 inches wide

• Takes up 32 cubic feet

Rick or Face Cord

A rick of wood is another way to describe a face cord or third-cord of wood and costs $75 to $200 on average. The term “rick of wood” is most common in the Midwest. Both a quarter and face cord are excellent choices for recreational use of your fireplace.

• Measures eight feet by four feet by16 inches

• Takes up 42 cubic feet

Half Cord

A half cord of wood ranges from $100 to $300. They’re commonly sold by professionals in all regions. You’ll pay slightly more per cubic foot for this over a full cord, but it’s a better option for those who use their fireplace as a backup for their main heat source.

• Measures four feet by four feet by four feet 

• Takes up 64 cubic feet

Full Cord

A full cord costs $150 to $500, depending on the type of wood you purchase and your location. It’ll last six to 12 weeks of burning twice per day. Hardwoods last up to three months, while softwoods like pine will be gone after six weeks. Get this size if you use your wood stove or fireplace as your main heat source in the winter. Northern climates will generally need two cords per winter.

• Measures eight feet by four feet by four feet

• Takes up 128 cubic feet

• Best when used as your main heat source and will last up to three months

If you feel like this form of heating isn’t working the way it should, contact a wood stove repair service near you to make sure everything is in order. Consider finding a local fireplace insert installer as well, as that can also improve heating efficiency.

Firewood Price Factors

Not all firewood is created equal. You’ll find price and quality differences between hardwoods and softwoods as well as green and seasoned. You’ll also pay more for delivery and stacking. 

Hardwood vs. Softwood

Hardwoods cost up to twice as much as softwoods. They’re deciduous trees, although not all deciduous trees are hardwoods. Most pine trees, called conifers, are softwoods. Hardwoods make better firewood—if you can find these varieties.

Green vs. Seasoned Wood

Green wood is simply unseasoned wood, meaning it hasn’t dried out for six months to two years. It has a higher moisture content, making it heavier, harder to light, and produces far more smoke than dry wood.

• Green wood often costs slightly less

• It’s a great alternative to save money if you have space to let it dry for up to two years

• It produces more smoke than seasoned wood

• It’s heavier and harder to light due to a higher moisture content

Delivery

Rising fuel prices and inflation mean you’ll likely pay $25 to $75 per delivery. Firewood delivery usually costs around $2 per mile. Unless you have a long-bed pickup truck or a trailer, you’ll need a professional to deliver a cord of wood. You’ll also pay an additional $25 to $80 to have someone stack the wood after delivery.

Firewood Prices Near You

Cord of wood prices vary by city and state and usually don’t include delivery. Unseasoned or semi-seasoned wood costs less than seasoned wood.

The Importance of Buying Local

Buying local firewood helps keep invasive species of plants and pests out of your local forests. Pests often travel in firewood. Beetle kill pine is often used as firewood since it’s already dead and partially seasoned. However, when it travels over a distance, it’s likely to introduce those pests into a new wooded area.

Always buy locally sourced firewood whenever possible.