When preparing for the colder months, many of us turn to firewood to keep our homes warm and cozy. However, purchasing or gathering firewood often leads to a common question: “How much firewood do I actually have?” This is where the Loose Firewood Calculator becomes an invaluable tool. It helps you estimate the volume of firewood you have in a loose pile, converting this volume into a more standard measurement known as cords. Understanding the volume of firewood you have can aid in planning for the winter, ensuring you have enough to meet your heating needs.
Formula of Loose Firewood Calculator
The estimation of the volume of your loose firewood involves a few simple steps. First, if your firewood is not already neatly stacked, imagine it as if it were. Measure the length, width, and height of this imaginary stack in feet. Then, apply the following formulas:
- Estimate Stacked Volume:
length (ft) × width (ft) × height (ft)
- Conversion to Cords:
Number of cords = (length (ft) × width (ft) × height (ft)) / 128 ft³
The cord is a unit of measure for wood volume in the United States, traditionally used to measure firewood and pulpwood. One cord is defined as 128 cubic feet of stacked wood.
- Loose Pile Factor:
Considering the loose nature of the pile, it’s important to adjust the calculated volume to account for air gaps. This is where the loose pile factor comes into play, typically ranging between 1.3 and 1.5. This means you might need to increase your calculated volume by 30-50% to get a more accurate estimate of how much firewood you have in a loose pile.
General Table for Quick Reference
| Length (ft) | Width (ft) | Height (ft) | Estimated Volume (ft³) | Volume With Loose Pile Factor (1.3) | Volume in Cords |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 4 | 4 | 80 | 104 | 0.81 |
| 10 | 4 | 4 | 160 | 208 | 1.63 |
| 10 | 5 | 5 | 250 | 325 | 2.54 |
| 15 | 5 | 5 | 375 | 487.5 | 3.81 |
| 20 | 5 | 5 | 500 | 650 | 5.08 |
| 10 | 8 | 4 | 320 | 416 | 3.25 |
This table provides a quick way to estimate the volume of a loose firewood pile in cords, applying a uniform loose pile factor for simplicity
Example of Loose Firewood Calculator
Consider a loose pile of firewood measuring 10 feet in length, 4 feet in width, and 5 feet in height. Estimating its volume would follow these steps:
- Calculate the estimated stacked volume:
10 ft × 4 ft × 5 ft = 200 ft³ - Convert to cords, considering the loose pile factor of 1.3:
(200 ft³ * 1.3) / 128 ft³ = 2.03 cords
This example illustrates the method for calculating the approximate volume of firewood in cords, taking into account the additional space occupied due to the looseness of the pile.
Most Common FAQs
A cord is a unit of measure that equals 128 cubic feet of stacked wood. Including the air space within the stack. It typically measures 4 feet high by 4 feet wide by 8 feet long.
While the calculator provides a good estimate, the actual amount of firewood can vary based on the size and shape of the wood pieces and how tightly the pile is stacked. The loose pile factor helps adjust for these variables. But it’s always a good idea to buy or gather a little more wood than estimated to ensure you have enough.
Yes, the calculator is versatile and can be used for estimating the volume of any type of firewood. Regardless of the wood species. However, the heating value of the wood may vary by species.