Firewood Calculator
Enter your heated square footage, how cold your winters get, the species and the going price per cord, and this calculator returns cords for the winter, the total damage and the number that actually matters: dollars per million Btu, set against electric resistive heat at the same output. The rule of thumb is on the table - roughly 2, 3 or 4.5 cords per 1000 sq ft by climate - so you can argue with it instead of trusting it.
Firewood sellers quote cords, not heat, and a softwood cord at half the oak price is not half the deal - it carries roughly half the Btu. This page converts everything to dollars per million Btu, and it also prices the part most pages hide: your labor. Wood wins on fuel cost if your time is cheap to you; the calculator leaves that judgment to you on purpose.
How to use
- Enter heated area and pick your climate.
- Add species and local price per cord.
- Read cords, total cost and the per-Btu verdict.
Frequently asked questions
How many cords of firewood do I need for winter?
A common rule is 2 cords per 1000 sq ft in mild climates, 3 in moderate and up to 4.5 in cold ones, assuming wood is a main or heavy supplementary heat in a reasonably tight house. Insulation and how much you burn evenings change it more than any formula.
Is softwood firewood worth half the price?
Only if it is actually half the price - seasoned softwood carries roughly 15 million Btu per cord versus about 26 for hardwood, so per unit of heat the discount shrinks. The per-million-Btu line in this calculator settles it with your local prices.
What does a cord of firewood cost?
Commonly $200-400 delivered depending on region and species - enter your local number. A cord is a stacked stack 4x4x8 ft, 128 cubic feet, which the seasoning calculator uses directly.
Should I heat my whole house with wood?
You can, but the calculator prices only the fuel. Add the labor - hauling, stacking, tending the stove at 5 am - and judge honestly; many households land on wood for the rooms that matter and gas or electric for the rest.