The short answer: $150 to $500 a cord
Industry pricing surveys put a full cord of firewood at $150 to $500 for most homeowners, with an average around $300. Premium seasoned hardwoods from a distant supplier can run $900 or more, but that is the exception. Your price lands where it does because of three variables, in order of importance: what species it is, whether it is seasoned or green, and how far the truck drove.
| Wood type | Full cord price |
|---|---|
| Softwood (pine, spruce) | $150 to $300 |
| Mixed hardwood | $250 to $450 |
| Hardwood (oak, maple, ash) | $300 to $600 |
| Specialty (hickory, cherry, black locust) | $400 to $600+ |
| Kiln-dried premium | $400 to $700 |
| Half cord | $150 to $300 |
| Face cord (rick) | $80 to $200 |
| Bundle (5 to 10 logs) | $5 to $15 |
Note that a half cord costs more than half a full cord, usually 55 to 65 percent of it, because delivery and labor are fixed costs whether the truck carries one cord or half. If you have the storage, the full cord is the better deal per log. A bundle from a gas station, at $5 to $15 for a handful of logs, is the most expensive firewood you can buy by volume, convenient, but brutal per cord.
Seasoning: the premium that pays for itself
Green wood is cheaper, and it is a trap. Freshly cut wood is loaded with water, so it burns cooler, hisses, smokes, and lays down creosote in your chimney. Seasoned wood, cut and split and dried for six to twelve months, burns hotter and cleaner. The seasoned premium exists because the seller paid for time and storage, and you are buying that back as heat.
Check the BTU chart before you order: a cord of hickory delivers roughly twice the heat of a cord of pine, so the cheaper softwood cord is often the worse deal. And see how long each species takes to season if you are thinking of buying green wood in spring and drying it yourself, which is the real budget move.
The delivery and stacking tax
The cord price is the wood price. Then comes delivery, and often a separate stacking charge, which together can add $150 or more to your total. A few realities:
- Delivery is often distance-based. Many sellers deliver free within 10 to 15 miles and charge beyond that. Buy from the closest reputable supplier, not the cheapest advertised cord.
- Stacking is usually extra. A dumped pile is cheaper than a stacked one. If you can stack it yourself, say so and pocket the difference.
- Kiln-dried costs more for a reason. Kiln drying guarantees low moisture content and kills pests and mold, which matters if you are storing wood indoors or have a low-draft stove.
My opinion: the best firewood deal in America is green wood bought in April from a local cutter, stacked in your yard by May, and burned the following winter. You pay green-wood prices, do the seasoning yourself for free, and dodge the October price spike entirely.
Watch the wording. A legal cord is a specific thing: 128 cubic feet, typically stacked 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide by 4 feet deep. A "truckload," a "load," or a "rack" can mean anything. A pickup bed holds roughly a third to half a cord, so a $200 "full truckload" is often a premium price for a fraction of a cord. Get the measurement in writing, and measure the stack yourself when it arrives. See how to tell if your firewood is a full cord.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cord of firewood cost?
A full cord of firewood costs most homeowners $150 to $500, with a national average around $300. Hardwoods like oak and hickory run $300 to $600, softwoods $150 to $300, and kiln-dried premium wood $400 to $700. Delivery and stacking can add $150 or more to the total.
How much is a face cord compared to a full cord?
A face cord (also called a rick) is roughly one-third of a full cord and costs $80 to $200, while a full cord costs $150 to $500. Since a face cord is not a legally standardized unit in most states, always confirm the exact stack dimensions with the seller before comparing prices.
Why does seasoned firewood cost more than green wood?
Seasoned wood has been cut, split, and dried for months, which costs the seller time and storage space. Green wood is cheaper but burns poorly, produces less heat, and deposits creosote in your chimney. The premium for seasoned wood pays for itself in heat output and safety.
Is it cheaper to buy firewood in spring?
Usually, yes. Prices are lowest in spring and summer when demand is down and suppliers have inventory, and highest in October and November when everyone is scrambling. Buying in spring also gives green wood the whole summer to season before you burn it.
How can I avoid being overcharged for firewood?
Insist on the word cord, not truckload or load, and measure the stack when it arrives: a full cord is 128 cubic feet, typically stacked 4 feet tall by 8 feet wide by 4 feet deep. Get the species, seasoned or green status, delivery fee, and stacking charge in writing before you pay.
How Many Cords Will You Burn?
Figure out how many cords your house needs for winter first, then multiply by the price on this page for your real seasonal cost. Or use the calculator:
Calculate Firewood NeedsPrices are national survey ranges from 2026 and vary by region, season, and supplier. Confirm current prices with local suppliers before budgeting.