Firewood Cost Input Form
Example Data Table
| Species | Qty | Unit | Moisture | Total Cost | Equivalent Cords | Net Heat | Cost per MMBTU |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mixed Hardwood | 1.00 | Full Cord | 18% | $394.20 | 1.000 | 20.07 | $19.64 |
| Oak | 2.00 | Face Cord | 24% | $522.75 | 0.667 | 14.62 | $35.75 |
| Pine | 96.00 | Cubic Foot | 16% | $370.45 | 0.750 | 11.46 | $32.33 |
| Ash | 1.50 | Custom Load | 21% | $458.70 | 0.750 | 16.20 | $28.31 |
Formula Used
This calculator estimates full buying cost, usable stacked volume, and delivered heat value. It also converts mixed purchase units into equivalent cords.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose the firewood species to load its typical heat value.
- Enter the quantity and the unit used by the seller.
- Add price per unit and any delivery, stacking, or extra fees.
- Enter log length if you are buying by face cord.
- Enter custom stacked cubic feet only for custom loads.
- Set moisture and waste percentages for a more realistic burn estimate.
- Enter tax rate and optional daily heat use.
- Press the calculate button to see cost, equivalent cords, usable heat, graph, and downloadable summaries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1) What is a full cord of firewood?
A full cord equals 128 stacked cubic feet. The common stacked dimensions are 4 feet high, 8 feet long, and 4 feet deep. This calculator uses that standard as the main conversion baseline.
2) Why does face cord need log length?
A face cord keeps the 4 foot by 8 foot front area, but depth changes with log length. Sixteen-inch pieces equal about one-third of a full cord, while longer or shorter logs change the total stacked volume.
3) Why does moisture content change cost efficiency?
Wet wood spends more energy boiling internal water before giving useful heat. That lowers usable heat per purchased load. Even if the sticker price looks low, damp wood can cost more per effective unit of heat.
4) What does cost per MMBTU mean?
It shows how much you pay for each million BTU of usable heat. This helps compare firewood deals across species, moisture levels, and delivery charges using one common energy-based number.
5) Should I use stacked or loose volume?
Use stacked volume whenever possible. Loose piles contain extra air gaps and can overstate the actual wood amount. If you only know a loose load size, estimate the stacked cubic feet first for better results.
6) Does the calculator include taxes and service fees?
Yes. You can add delivery, stacking, and another fee, then apply a tax rate. The final total combines wood cost, services, and tax so your budget estimate is closer to the real bill.
7) Can I compare different wood species here?
Yes. Each species carries a typical heat value per cord. Switching species changes gross and net heat, which then changes cost per cord and cost per MMBTU. That makes side-by-side deal comparison easier.
8) Is this result exact for every seller and region?
No. It is a planning estimate. Real pricing, wood density, seasoning quality, measurement methods, and taxes vary by supplier and area. Use it for budgeting and comparison, then confirm final details with the seller.