Finding the right fuel for your fireplace can be a confusing task, especially when you encounter terms like “rick” or “cord” for the first time. If you are preparing for a cozy winter, your first question is likely: how much is a face cord of wood? Knowing the current market rates helps you budget effectively and ensures you aren’t overpaying when the temperature drops.
We will divest the expenses involved in purchasing firewood in 2026, the physical dimensions you should be aware of and how the time you buy can save you hundreds of dollars in this guide. We shall also compare such common species of wood as Oak, Maple and Pine to determine which one provides the best value of your money.
What Exactly Is a Face Cord?
It is important to have a clue of what you are really purchasing before getting into the price. The standard volume measure of a full cord of wood is 128 cubic feet, which people commonly stack in height 4 feet, length 8 feet and depth 4 feet. But a face cord, or as it is also called, a rick, is a good deal smaller.
A face cord is but a stack of one log in length, high, and long, 4 feet. A face cord is quite literally a third of a full cord since the vast majority of firewood is made to be 16 inches long. It is the most popular in residential applications where one does not require a huge cord face stockpile.
How Much Is a Face Cord of Wood in 2026?
By the beginning of 2026, a face cord of seasoned hardwood costs between $120 and $250 on average. However, this price varies depending on where you are, the species of wood, and the season. A bargain in the country may cost you as low as 80 in the country, and the urban delivery will cost you more than 300.
You have to ask, how much a face cord of wood is, and when you do you must take into consideration whether the wood is green or seasoned. Seasoned wood has dried over a minimum of six months, reducing the moisture content to less than 20 percent. Green wood costs less, but you must store and dry it yourself until it is safe to burn.
Pricing by Wood Species Oak, Maple, and Pine
The price of wood is greatly determined by the kind of wood you use. As compared to Pine that is a softwood, the Hardwoods such as Oak and Maple are dense and burn longer and consequently become more expensive. Oak is the best bet when it comes to long-term heat, and it is also expensive.
| Wood Type | Price per Face Cord (Avg) | Burn Quality | Heat Output |
| Oak | $170 – $265 | Excellent / Long | Very High |
| Maple | $150 – $230 | Good / Steady | High |
| Pine | $75 – $130 | Fast / Crackling | Low to Medium |
How Much Is a Face Cord of Wood in Different States?
The location is one of the largest price determinants of firewood. When the forests are very large in states and the production of timber is high prices do not rise. In contrast, you will find that how much a face cord of wood costs is much greater than the national average in coastal states or high energy cost regions.
In Michigan or Pennsylvania, a face cord would be costing $120 to 180 since it is of high supply. But in such states as California or New York, the same quantity of wood can easily go over $250 to 300. Also, it is always best to query the local vendors to get the correct quote on your particular zip code.
Rural vs. Urban Areas: The Price Gap
The difference between the rural and urban markets is very much about price. When you are in countryside, you might be purchasing something straight at the source e.g., a farmer or a professional logger. This saves on transportation expenses and markups by the middlemen, which would tend to keep the price of the face cord of wood less than $150.
In urban and metropolitan areas, the price spikes due to delivery logistics and high demand. City dwellers often pay for the convenience of having wood delivered and stacked in tight spaces. Searching for firewood for sale near me in a city will probably yield prices that are 50 to 100 percent higher than those in the country.
Seasonal Pricing Winter vs Summer
It might have been the time of the year you buy your firewood which remains perhaps the largest rider in the final bill. During the summer period, the demand is the lowest. The suppliers also tend to have clearance on their stocks to fit new harvests, which implies that you can discover important discounts, including quicker delivery periods.
In comparison, the price at winter times usually surges by 20 to 30 percent. Everyone finds themselves in need of fuel the minute it snows in the first snow. This causes a supply and demand bottleneck. If you wait until January to ask how much is a face cord of wood, you will likely face the highest prices of the year and limited availability.
The Cost of Premium Kiln Dried Firewood
Kiln dried firewood is the gold standard to those who prefer to experience the best time possible burning. Manufacturers place this wood in a high temperature oven to dry it and eliminate any insects, unlike air-seasoned wood. This procedure renders the wood more readily burnable and enables it to burn far hotter and cleaner.
This is an expensive process because of the energy and equipment necessary to run such a process. A kiln dried face cord of oak may cost between 300 and 550. Although it is more expensive in the short term, it leads to the production of less creosote making your chimney safer and lessening the necessity to clean it regularly, which is why it is worth the investment to many homeowners.
Comparing the Value Quard of Wood and Ricks
You will hear some of the sellers say quard of wood or quarter cord. Before money enters into the hands, it should be clarified that these measurements are important. A quarter cord is a little smaller than a face cord (32 vs.42 cubic feet). You always need to check the size of the stack to be sure that you are getting the amount of wood you paid.
The expression how much is a cord wood is frequently used to mean the entire 128 cubic foot cubic measure. You should also make sure that you are getting a fair deal, so you should request the seller to provide you with the exact measurements of the stack and whether the wood is loose-thrown or stacked. A rectangular pile of faces stacked carries very much more wood than a loose pile.
Understanding the Firewood Size Chart
| Unit | Dimensions (H x L x D) | Total Volume |
| Full Cord | 4′ x 8′ x 4′ | 128 Cubic Feet |
| Face Cord (Rick) | 4′ x 8′ x 16″ | ~42.6 Cubic Feet |
| Half Cord | 4′ x 4′ x 4′ | 64 Cubic Feet |
| Quarter Cord | 4′ x 4′ x 2′ | 32 Cubic Feet |
Why Buy a Face Cord Instead of a Full Cord?
Not all people can afford to keep a huge stack of wood of 128 cubic feet. Face cord is the most appropriate size of wood for recreational burners—those who light a fire a few times a week or use outdoor fire pits. You can mount it freely against a garage wall or under a small porch overhang without it being an obstruction.
When searching for how much a face cord of firewood costs, you will notice that many small-scale local sellers offer this size of wood, as it fits ideally in a regular pickup truck. A pickup of half one ton can normally carry a face cord without overloading the vehicle. It is thus easy to carry.
Finding Firewood For Sale Near Me
Good price is associated with finding a reliable supplier. Local and Facebook classifieds or websites that specialize in firewood delivery are often the best places to find a good deal. Comparing sellers, it is not only the lowest price, but also the quality of the seasoning and the reputation of a seller.
You can buy your wood in spring just in case you want to have a bargain. The most cost effective method to heat your home is to purchase a full cord of green wood during the month of April and dry in your yard over the summer. When the winter finally comes, the wood would have been adequately seasoned and would be ready to go into the fire place.
Final Thoughts
So in short, the answer to the question of how much a face cord of wood will cost you is heavily dependent on the time and the type of wood that you are talking about. When you purchase during the summer, you will spend approximately $120 to 150 on seasoned hardwood. Wait until it gets to the middle of a cold winter and you would have to pay $200 or $250 or more to buy the same stack.
The use of good wood such as kiln dried firewood or well-seasoned oak will make one have a better experience with less smoke and more heat. The size of the firewood chart should be always checked before buying it to be sure that you will be able to keep your wood in place, so that it will not be on the floor and be covered by the rain.
With some advanced planning and off-season purchases, you can be able to sit before a crackling fire without needing to worry about paying the highest prices due to the peak prices of winter. Be it that you are purchasing one face cord which you will only need in a couple of occasions or multiple full cords to warm up your whole home, you are sure you are spending on what you see on the market.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How much should I sell my face cord of firewood for?
Sell seasoned hardwood at between $120-200 or at the kiln dried up to 350. The price will be dependent on the location and will increase considerably in winter` “““““““`.
2. Is a cord of wood 4 ft by 4 ft by 8 ft?
No, there is a stack of 4′ x 8′ x 4′, which is 128 cubic feet. This normally amounts to three rows of normal 16 inch logs.
3. Will a face cord fit in a pickup truck?
A face cord can easily be accommodated in a regular pickup truck. It can put a little more, up to 1.5 face cords, in a long-bed truck.
4. How much firewood is one face cord?
A face cord is only one log deep stack 4′ high, and 8′ long. It is approximately a one third of a full cord and it has approximately 200-250 logs.