face cord

{{Short description|Informal unit of volume}}

A face cord is an informal measurement for stacked firewood,{{Cite book|title = Encyclopaedia of Scientific Units, Weights and Measures. Their SI Equivalences and Origins.|last = Cardarelli|first = F.|publisher = Springer|year = 2003|isbn = 978-1-4471-1122-1|location = London|pages = 52}} sometimes called a rick.{{cite web|title=Unusual units|url=http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/dictR.html|publisher=UNC|accessdate=28 December 2016}}

Width and height is typically the same as a cord ({{convert|1|cord|m3|disp=out}}), but the depth can vary.{{cite web|title=Wood heating|url=http://forestry.usu.edu/htm/forest-products/wood-heating|publisher=Utah State University, Forestry Extension|accessdate=28 December 2016}} The front face is the same as a cord {{convert|4|by|8|ft|m}}, hence the name. The depth is generally {{convert|16|inch|mm}} (for use in residential fireplaces) but can be anything from {{convert|12|to|32|inch|mm}}.

This results in a volume of {{convert|32|to|85|ft3|m3|lk=on}}. In the United States, several states only allow wood to be sold by the cord or fractions of a cord, to avoid confusion among consumers.{{cite web|title=Firewood FAQ|url=http://www.lumberjax.com/faqs/|publisher=Lumberjax|accessdate=28 December 2016}}{{cite web|title=Consumer tips firewood|url=http://mda.maryland.gov/weights_measures/Pages/consumer_tips_firewood.aspx|publisher=Maryland Dept of Agriculture|accessdate=28 December 2016}}

The wood should be stacked "racked and well stowed" – meaning stacked so that the wood is parallel, and air gaps are minimized. It should not be cross-stacked (alternating directions), as this adds considerable empty space to the stack.