As the seasons change and temperatures drop, many homeowners turn to the comforting warmth of a crackling fire to ward off the chill. Whether you’re an avid fireplace enthusiast or simply looking to stock up for the winter, understanding the measurement of firewood is crucial. One term that frequently arises in these discussions is the “cord of wood.” But what exactly does it mean, and how much is a cord of wood?
How Much is a Cord of Wood?
A cord of wood is typically 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long, equaling 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood. The average cost of properly seasoned hardwoods ranges from $250 to $500, while softwood ranges from $150 to $300.
The cost of a cord of firewood varies depending on several key factors, including the geographical location, the moisture content of the wood, seasonal demand, and the type of wood offered.
Regional variations play a significant role, fluctuating prices based on local market conditions and availability.
Dry wood, often well-seasoned, tends to command a higher price due to its increased energy efficiency and ease of ignition. Seasonality also influences costs, with higher demand during colder months potentially leading to price spikes.
How Much Does a Cord of Wood Cost?
A full cord of seasoned hardwood firewood costs about $300 to $550, while wet wood costs about $200 to $400. A cord of seasoned soft firewood ranges from $120 to $250, while wet wood costs around $90 to $180.
Cord of Wood Cost Chart
| Wood Type | Cord Cost (Dry/Seasoned) | Cord Cost (Wet) |
|---|---|---|
| Oak Hardwood | $300 – $550 | $200 – $400 |
| Maple Hardwood | $280 – $520 | $180 – $350 |
| Pine Softwood | $120 – $250 | $80 – $150 |
| Birch Hardwood | $270 – $500 | $170 – $320 |
| Fir Softwood | $140 – $280 | $90 – $180 |
| Hickory Hardwood | $320 – $580 | $220 – $400 |
| Cherry Hardwood | $290 – $530 | $190 – $370 |
| Walnut Hardwood | $310 – $560 | $210 – $420 |
| Cedar Softwood | $150 – $300 | $100 – $200 |
| Spruce Softwood | $130 – $260 | $80 – $160 |
| Ash Hardwood | $260 – $490 | $160 – $300 |
| Pecan Hardwood | $330 – $600 | $230 – $450 |
| Redwood Softwood | $180 – $350 | $120 – $230 |
| Poplar Softwood | $110 – $220 | $70 – $130 |
| Locust Hardwood | $340 – $620 | $240 – $470 |
| Pine Hardwood | $250 – $480 | $150 – $290 |
| Alder Softwood | $160 – $310 | $110 – $200 |
How Much Does a Cord of Wood Weigh?
On average, a cord of seasoned hardwood can weigh between 2,500 to 3,000 pounds. Green or unseasoned wood tends to weigh more due to the higher moisture content and can weigh around 4,000 pounds or more.
| Type of Firewood | Cord of Wood Weight (Seasoned) | Cord of Wood Weight (Green/Unseasoned) |
|---|---|---|
| Oak | 4,000 – 5,000 lbs | 5,500 lbs or more |
| Maple | 3,000 – 3,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs or more |
| Hickory | 4,000 – 4,500 lbs | 5,500 lbs or more |
| Birch | 3,500 – 4,000 lbs | 5,000 lbs or more |
| Ash | 3,000 – 3,500 lbs | 4,500 lbs or more |
| Pine | 2,000 – 2,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs or more |
| Spruce | 2,000 – 2,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs or more |
| Fir | 2,000 – 2,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs or more |
| Cedar | 2,000 – 2,500 lbs | 3,500 lbs or more |
Average Cord of Wood Costs Across the United States
- Texas:
- Seasoned hardwood: $300 to $450
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $200 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $120 to $200
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $90 to $150
- California:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $550
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $400
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $250
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $180
- Ontario:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- New York:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- Florida:
- Seasoned hardwood: $300 to $450
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $200 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $120 to $200
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $90 to $150
- Illinois:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- Colorado:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- Georgia:
- Seasoned hardwood: $300 to $450
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $200 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $120 to $200
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $90 to $150
- Pennsylvania:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- Michigan:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- North Carolina:
- Seasoned hardwood: $300 to $450
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $200 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $120 to $200
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $90 to $150
- Ohio:
- Seasoned hardwood: $350 to $500
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $250 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $150 to $220
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $100 to $160
- Arizona:
- Seasoned hardwood: $300 to $450
- Unseasoned (wet) wood: $200 to $350
- Seasoned softwood: $120 to $200
- Unseasoned (wet) softwood: $90 to $150
Related Post: How Many Face Cords In a Full Cord of Wood?
How Much Is a Quarter Cord of Wood?
Typically, a quarter cord would be a stack that is 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 2 feet long, resulting in a volume of 32 cubic feet.
A quarter cord of wood is one-fourth of a full cord. Since a standard cord of wood measures 4 feet high, 4 feet wide, and 8 feet long, a quarter cord would have one dimension reduced to a quarter of that size.
How Long Does A Cord Of Wood Last?
On average, a cord of well-seasoned softwood may last anywhere from 1 to 3 months. However, a cord of well-seasoned hardwood can last, on average, 3 to 5 months or even longer under regular heating conditions.
Read a complete guide here: How Long Does a Cord of Wood Last?
Factors Influencing Cord Wood Cost
Several factors contribute to the price of a cord of wood, making it essential to consider various elements before purchasing.
- Type of Wood
- Different types of wood come with different price tags. Hardwoods like oak and maple cost more than softwoods due to their denser composition and longer burn times.
- Seasoned vs. Unseasoned Wood
- Seasoned wood, which has been dried for an extended period, often costs more than its unseasoned counterpart. While seasoned wood ignites more quickly and burns efficiently, unseasoned wood requires additional drying time.
- Delivery Distance
- If you’re purchasing wood from a supplier, the distance they need to travel for delivery can influence the overall cost. Longer distances may result in higher delivery fees.
- Local Market Conditions
- Wood prices can vary based on your location and local market conditions. Supply and demand, as well as regional preferences for specific types of wood, can impact prices.
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Hello!! I am Jamal Khan. I often fix my home electric heaters and gas stove problems and research the common issues in the heating units to improve my knowledge and expertise. The aim of establishing fireplaceadviser.com is to share my expertise and knowledge with my audience.
