How to Use the Firewood Consumption Calculator
Households heating with a wood stove or fireplace need to plan firewood purchases well before winter, since running out mid-season means scrambling for last-minute wood at a premium price. Consumption depends on how intensely you burn, how many hours a day, and how long your heating season runs. This calculator takes those three inputs and estimates total weight needed along with the number of cords β the standard unit for measuring stacked firewood.
Fire intensity is grouped into low (about 3 lb/hr), medium (about 5 lb/hr), and high (about 8 lb/hr) burn rates. A low, steady burn that just takes the chill off matches the low setting, while running a stove hard to heat a large space β or supplying a wood boiler for domestic hot water β pushes consumption toward the high end.
The total weight is converted to cords using an average of 4,000 pounds per full cord (128 cubic feet stacked) of seasoned hardwood β actual weight varies by species, from lighter softwoods like pine to denser hardwoods like oak. Wet, unseasoned wood delivers less usable heat per pound since energy is lost evaporating moisture, so seasoning wood for at least 6 months to bring moisture content under 20% improves both fuel efficiency and reduces chimney creosote buildup.
Frequently Asked Questions
We multiply the burn rate (lb/hr) for your fire intensity by daily burn hours and the number of heating days to get total weight in pounds. That's converted to cords using an average seasoned hardwood weight of about 4,000 lb per cord.
Yes. Wet, unseasoned wood wastes heat energy boiling off moisture instead of warming your space, so it burns less efficiently and you'll go through more of it. Wood seasoned for at least 6 months with a moisture content under 20% burns far more efficiently.