Firewood Calculator

Calculate how many cords of firewood you need for winter. Compare 10 wood types by BTU output. Get cost estimates vs propane, gas, and electric heating.

Home Size (sq ft)

Winter Months

Insulation Quality

Heating Usage

Wood Type

Cords Needed

3.00

0.60 /month

Face Cords

9.0

384 cu ft

Total BTU

87.3M

Oak (White)

Estimated Cost

$900

$300/cord

Heating Cost Comparison (Same BTU Output)

Fuel Type	Est. Cost	vs Firewood
Firewood (Oak (White))	$900	—
Propane ($2.50/gal)	$2,385	+165%
Natural Gas ($1.20/therm)	$1,048	+16%
Electric ($0.13/kWh)	$3	-100%

Firewood Reference Guide

Wood Type	BTU/Cord (M)	Cost/Cord	Splitting	Notes
Oak (White)Selected	29.1	$300	Moderate	Excellent heat, burns slow and steady
Oak (Red)	27.3	$280	Moderate	Great all-around firewood
Maple (Sugar)	29.0	$310	Moderate	Hot, long-burning coals
Hickory	30.6	$320	Hard	Hottest burning common hardwood
Ash	24.0	$250	Easy	Easy to split, burns clean
Birch	23.4	$240	Easy	Burns fast, good kindling
Cherry	20.4	$260	Easy	Pleasant aroma, moderate heat
Pine (White)	15.8	$180	Easy	Burns fast, more creosote, use for kindling
Douglas Fir	20.7	$200	Easy	Good softwood option
Elm	24.5	$220	Very Hard	Stringy grain, hard to split

Firewood Quick Facts

Full Cord

4' x 4' x 8'

128 cubic feet of stacked wood

Face Cord

4' x 8' x 16"

1/3 of a full cord

Seasoning Time

6-12 months

Split and stack for best results

Moisture Target

< 20%

Use a moisture meter to check

Storage

Off ground, covered top

Allow air circulation on sides

Chimney Cleaning

Annually

Essential for creosote buildup

How to Use Firewood Calculator

1Enter home size and insulation quality
2Set winter months and heating use
3Compare wood types by BTU
4View cords needed and cost

Frequently Asked Questions

How much firewood do I need for winter?▾

A well-insulated 2,000 sqft home using wood as primary heat needs 3-5 cords for a 5-month winter. Supplemental heating needs 1-2 cords.

What is a cord of firewood?▾

A cord is a stack 4×4×8 feet, totaling 128 cubic feet. A face cord is 4×8 but only 16 inches deep — about 1/3 of a full cord.

Which firewood burns longest?▾

Dense hardwoods burn longest: oak (24+ million BTU/cord), hickory (28 million), and maple (24 million). Softwoods like pine burn fast but produce more creosote.

About Firewood Calculator

Calculate how many cords of firewood you need for winter. Compare 10 wood types by BTU output. Get cost estimates vs propane, gas, and electric heating.

NexTool's Firewood Calculator is completely free to use with no sign-up required. Your data is processed directly in your browser and never sent to our servers, ensuring complete privacy and instant results.