Estimate gross and useful heat from full cords of common US firewood, then compare the price per useful million BTU using your own local quote.
| Air-dried species | Reference MMBtu/full cord |
|---|---|
| White oak | 25.7 |
| Red oak / sugar maple | 24.0 |
| White ash | 23.6 |
| Lodgepole pine | 21.1 |
| Black cherry | 19.9 |
Species reference values
The air-dried hardwood values are from Penn State Extension; lodgepole pine is from Utah State University Forestry Extension. Both sources report heat per standard/full cord.
Important variability
This is an estimate, not a laboratory fuel test. Cord packing, species mix, decay, bark, actual moisture, measurement method, stove operation and chimney losses can change delivered heat substantially. The moisture correction shown here is a simple planning adjustment relative to the source table’s approximately 20% air-dried baseline; enter measured moisture when available. Enter your own stove efficiency and price—this page does not provide current market prices.
Full cord volume · Face cord calculator · Metric stacked firewood
