A cord of wood is a standard way to measure firewood. One cord contains about 600 pieces of wood on average and costs about $320 on average.
A cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood—usually 4 feet high, 4 feet deep, and 8 feet long, but that doesn’t mean much to most folks thinking about buying firewood for a new wood stove. (Most folks want to know how to store the firewood and which wood stoves are the best on the market?)
On average one cord or 600 pieces of firewood will cost you $250-$450 depending on your region and the quality. Here in Phoenixville, PA, firewood averages about $320 per cord.
Most Common Firewood Buying Mistakes
In our 45+ years of experience, we have heard it all. Here are some of the most common mistakes we see customers make when it comes to buying and burning firewood.
- Trusting your firewood is seasons without testing.
- Buying unseasoned firewood and burning it causing creosote buildup, expensive repairs and danger.
- Covering firewood on all sides, rather than just on the top. This keeps the moisture in and firewood unseasoned.
- Storing firewood on a pallet that wicks moisture and keeps wood wet from the bottom up.
- Buying an oversized wood stove for long firewood leading to a sweltering hot home and wasted resources.
Average Number of Pieces of Wood in a Cord
On average, a full cord of split firewood contains 550 to 650 pieces. We will calculate using 16″ length for a modern wood stove. The piece count varies based on:
Split thickness: Finer splits mean more pieces.
Wood type: Denser hardwoods like oak stack more tightly than softwoods like pine.
Stacking method: A “loose” thrown cord contains fewer pieces than a neatly stacked cord.
| Wood Type | Estimated Pieces per Cord |
|---|---|
| Oak | 600 – 650 |
| Maple | 575 – 625 |
| Pine | 550 – 600 |
Cord Variants to Know
Full Cord: 4′ x 4′ x 8′ = 128 cu. ft. (About 600 pieces of wood in one cord of firewood.)
- Face Cord: One stack 4′ high x 8′ long, but only 16″ deep (~1/3 of a cord). (About 200 pieces of wood in one face cord of firewood.)
Average Cost of a Cord of Wood
As of 2025, the average cost of a cord of firewood is:
Hardwood (e.g., oak, maple): $350–$500
Softwood (e.g., pine, fir): $200–$300
Mixed or semi-seasoned: $250–$400
Add $25–$100 for delivery and $30–$80 for stacking, depending on region and vendor.
These prices apply to a full cord (128 cu. ft.). Costs vary by region, wood species, and moisture content.
Firewood with Moisture Under 20% is Recommended for Modern Wood Stoves
Seasoned firewood is covered on the top and can breathe on the sides. Wood largely dries through air passing through the wood, so letting the sides breathe is crucial. It is very unlikely firewood purchased from any supplier is not seasoned to the highest quality. We highly recommend purchasing firewood in the spring and at least letting it season for 6+ months before burning. Use a moisture meter if you need additional assurance. (The goal is below 20% moisture in your firewood.)
Some other useful firewood notes:
Always ask your supplier if you’re getting a full cord or a face cord. Ensure the wood is properly seasoned and split to size for your appliance. Well-split hardwood cords are not just about volume—they’re about quality and burn time.
Ask the company you are buying your wood stove from if they know anyone who supplies firewood in the area. Oftentimes, specialty fireplace retail shops have the best advice about reliable firewood suppliers in your area. If you need help finding a reliable fireplace professional in your area, the National Fireplace Institute is the place to go.
If you have any wood burning questions please send us a note on our contact us page. We are honored to help anyone with questions about home heating with wood, pellet, gas or even electricity!
