Cord vs. Face Cord vs. Rick — What You're Actually Buying

The single biggest source of confusion when buying firewood is the unit. A supplier in Vermont and a supplier in Texas might both quote you "a cord" and mean very different volumes. Here's the breakdown, with the numbers that actually matter.

The full cord — the only legally defined unit

A full cord is 128 cubic feet of tightly stacked wood — typically arranged 4 feet wide × 4 feet tall × 8 feet long. This is the only unit recognized by US weights-and-measures regulations in most states. If a supplier quotes "a cord" without qualifying it, you should assume they mean a full cord and confirm before paying.

Face cord — a third of a full cord (usually)

A face cord is one stack 4 feet tall × 8 feet long × the length of one log piece (typically 16 inches). That works out to roughly 42-43 cubic feet — about a third of a full cord. The catch: if a supplier cuts their wood to 12" or 14" pieces, the face cord is smaller. Always ask the log length.

Rick — depends entirely on where you are

"Rick" is regional slang. In most of the Midwest and Mid-South, a rick means the same as a face cord — about a third of a full cord. In some Appalachian areas it can mean a full cord. In a few corners of the Plains it can mean a half cord. If a supplier quotes you a price per rick, get them to define it in cubic feet before agreeing.

Other common units to watch for

• Half cord: 64 cubic feet. Often the most economical unit for a small home.
• Quarter cord: 32 cubic feet. Mostly for occasional fires.
• Bundle: typically 0.75 cubic feet — campground/grocery store unit. Vastly more expensive per cubic foot than buying by the cord.
• Pickup truck load: meaningless without measurement. A short-bed pickup loaded heaped might hold a third of a cord; a full-size with sideboards might hold half. Insist on cubic feet.

How to verify what you got

When the wood is delivered, stack it. A full cord stacked tightly should fill a space roughly 4 × 4 × 8 feet. If it visibly doesn't, take photos before you pay the balance. Reputable suppliers will adjust without argument — the ones who won't are the ones who short you on purpose.