In this guide
Comparing firewood prices should be simple, but it is not, because suppliers describe quantity in different ways. This guide explains the measurements you will see and how to make a fair comparison.
Two ways to measure a crate
Logs do not fill space neatly. When they are packed carefully side by side they take up less room than when they are tipped into a crate. So the same wood can be described by two volumes:
- Stacked volume: the space the logs take up when they are neatly stacked, with the gaps between them accounted for. This is closest to how much actual wood you are getting.
- Loose volume: the space the logs fill when they are tipped loosely into the crate or bag. It is always the bigger of the two numbers, because loose logs leave more air gaps.
Neither number is "wrong". But a supplier quoting loose volume and another quoting stacked volume are not describing the same thing, and the loose figure will look larger.
Why we show both
On every product page we list both volumes for each size, so you can compare like with like. If another supplier quotes one figure only, ask which it is. A simple check: if the quoted volume seems generous for the size of the crate, it is probably the loose figure.
Why weight is not a good guide
It is tempting to compare by weight, but wood's weight changes with its moisture. A crate of wetter logs weighs more than the same crate of dry logs, so a heavier crate is not necessarily better, and may be worse. Weight matters for delivery (see preparing for a delivery), but not for judging value.
Comparing prices fairly
The simplest fair comparison is price per cubic metre, using the same type of volume for each option.
- Take the price you pay, including delivery if you are comparing total cost.
- Divide it by the volume.
- Make sure both figures are stacked, or both are loose.
For example (these numbers are for illustration only): a crate costing £150 holding 1.2 m³ stacked works out at £125 per stacked m³. A crate costing £280 holding 2.0 m³ stacked is £140 per stacked m³. In this made-up case the smaller crate is the better value, even though the larger one feels like the bigger bargain.
On our shop pages we show the price per cubic metre next to each size for you. Larger crates are often cheaper per cubic metre, but not always, so check.
Which size should I buy?
- Smaller crate: good if you burn occasionally, have limited space or want to try a wood before committing.
- Middle size: a sensible choice for regular use.
- Largest crate: best if you burn most days through winter and have somewhere dry to keep it; see how to store firewood.
If you are not sure, read how much firewood you need.
Remember the species and the moisture
Volume is only part of the picture. A cubic metre of dense, dry oak holds more usable energy than a cubic metre of damp softwood. So compare species and moisture as well; our guide to choosing logs helps with the first, and Ready to Burn explained with the second.
