How Much Is a Half Cord of Firewood? Cost & Stack

Half Cord Dimensions: 64 Cubic Feet Standardized Volume

Firewood is one of the oldest and most reliable residential heating fuels, but purchasing it can be confusing due to colloquial terminology like "face cords," "ricks," "truck beds," or "stove cords." Legally, weights and measures departments across North America recognize only the standardized full "cord" (128 cubic feet) and fractional derivatives such as the "half cord" (64 cubic feet).

When purchasing a half cord of firewood, consumers should look beyond raw price to verify wood dryness and species density. Freshly cut "green" wood contains up to 50% moisture, burning with cold, smoky inefficiency while producing hazardous creosote deposits inside chimney flues. Properly seasoned or kiln-dried hardwood contains under 20% internal moisture, igniting cleanly and radiating intense, long-lasting British Thermal Units (BTUs).

Comparing firewood species across heat output ratings illustrates the correlation between wood density and half cord pricing.

Hardwood vs Softwood Pricing and Seasoning Standards

Understanding the exact geometric dimensions of a half cord protects consumers from deceptive firewood vendors. A full cord measures 128 cubic feet when tightly ranked and stacked (traditionally 4 ft high x 4 ft wide x 8 ft long). Therefore, an authentic half cord must measure exactly 64 cubic feet. A common source of confusion is the "face cord" (or rick), which is a single row of 16-inch-long logs measuring 4 ft high by 8 ft long, totaling approximately 42.6 cubic feet—meaning a face cord is only two-thirds of a true half cord.

Moisture content is the single most vital factor determining the heating value of firewood. Freshly harvested green logs carry water weight that absorbs substantial thermal energy simply evaporating moisture into steam. Seasoned wood has been split, stacked off the ground, and air-dried under sun and wind exposure for at least 6 to 12 months, lowering moisture content below 20%. Commercial kiln-dried firewood is baked in heated kilns at 160°F for several days, killing all wood-boring beetle larvae and reducing moisture below 15% for immediate, smoke-free combustion.

Understanding standard firewood vendor service fees helps buyers calculate the total delivered cost for a half cord.

Delivery Logistics, Stacking Fees, and Pickup Truck Loads

Transporting a half cord of firewood requires appropriate vehicle capacity. A half cord of seasoned dense hardwood weighs approximately 1,800 to 2,400 pounds (green wood weighs up to 3,000 lbs). A standard full-size pickup truck with an 8-foot long bed can comfortably hold a half cord when stacked level with the bed rails, but loading that much weight into a half-ton pickup (such as a Ford F-150 or Chevy Silverado 1500) approaches maximum suspension payload limits, often requiring a heavy-duty three-quarter-ton truck or dual-axle trailer.

Seasonal timing significantly impacts retail firewood prices. Firewood vendors experience peak demand during late autumn and mid-winter (October through January) when homeowners scramble for emergency heating supplies, causing prices to spike by 25% to 40% alongside limited supplies of seasoned hardwood. Purchasing firewood during spring and summer (April to July) secures lower prices, guaranteed dry stock, and immediate delivery scheduling.

Proper stacking and storage protect your firewood investment from mold and fungal rot. Never stack firewood directly on bare damp soil; use elevated pressure-treated stringers, concrete blocks, or commercial steel firewood racks to maintain bottom airflow. Stack logs with the bark facing upward to shed rain, leave the sides open for wind circulation, and cover only the very top row with a durable tarp or metal roof to keep out direct snow and precipitation.