What is a Cord?

Firewood is sold be a measurement called a "cord". A cord must be equal 128 cubic feet. To be sure you have a cord, stack the wood neatly be placing the wood in a line or a row, with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, making sure that the wood is compact and has as few gaps as possible. Then measure the stack. If the with times the height times the length equals 128 cubic feet, you have a cord of firewood.

 

If it Does not Equal 128 Cubic Feet It's Not a Cord!

Words that may indicate you are not getting proper measurement

A cord, like other measurements such as a foot, a gallon, or a tin, is defined by law. A seller may not legitimately use the terms such as "truckload," "face cord," "rack," or "pile" because these terms have no legally defined meaning and, therefore, you have no way of determination how much firewood you are actually receiving. If a seller uses such terms it should alert you to a possible problem. Wood can only be sold be the cord or by fractions of a cord.

Get What You Pay For-Get It In Writing How to Protect Yourself When Buying Firewood

When you buy firewood make sure to get a receipt which shows the seller's name and address; as well as the price, amount, and kind of wood purchased. If possible, get the seller's phone number and write down the license plate number of the delivery vehicle. When the wood is delivered, ask the seller to stack it (you may have to pay extra for this service) or stack the wood yourself. Measure the wood before using any. If the cubic measurement indicated that you did not receive the correct volume, contact the seller before you burn any wood.

The National Conference on Weights and Measures