Stacked vs Loose Volume: What You Need to Know When Buying Firewood

Stacked vs Loose Volume: What You Need to Know When Buying Firewood

Updated: Nic Snell

The difference between stacked and loose firewood volumes is how the logs are arranged and measured. Stacked logs are neatly packed with minimal gaps, while loose logs are tipped in with more air pockets between them. Firewood volume is one of the most important things to understand when buying firewood, particularly when comparing suppliers and value for money. 

At Certainly Wood, we believe in complete transparency, and that includes helping our customers make informed decisions when it comes to volume, pricing and how our firewood is packed. This guide explains exactly how firewood volumes work, using recognised industry standards.

What’s the difference between stacked & loose firewood? 

The key difference between stacked and loose volume comes down to how your firewood is packed. 

  • Stacked Volume = logs are packed neatly and tightly to minimise air pockets e.g. logs in crates
  • Loose Volume = Logs are tipped into their container e.g. bulk bags 

According to the Wood Fuels Handbook published by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations, this is the method with which to convert volumes:

1m3 stacked volume (crate) = 1.67m3 loose fill volume


Woman unloading a hand-stacked crate of kiln dried logs

What is loose-filled firewood volume?

Loose-filled firewood volume means the logs are loaded into a bag or container without any stacking; they fall naturally, with air gaps between them. This is the most common measurement used for bulk bags across the firewood industry. Loose-filled volume refers to logs that are:

  • Tipped into a bag or container
  • Not arranged or compacted
  • Naturally spaced with air gaps

Why it matters: Loose bags often look fuller, but contain less wood per cubic metre compared to stacked logs.

Shop loose-filled bulk bags

What is stacked firewood volume?

Stacked firewood volume refers to logs that are neatly arranged, with each log stacked to minimise empty space. It’s a denser way to pack wood, offering a clearer visual reference for how much you’re getting. Stacked volume refers to logs that are:

  • Carefully arranged by hand
  • Packed tightly to reduce empty space
  • Measured based on internal dimensions

Why it matters: Neatly stacked wood is more consistent and easier to measure. 

How do Certainly Wood Firewood Volumes Compare?

Our firewood crates, as well as our small bags and boot bags, are all stacked by hand. This ensures a consistent volume and helps with cleaner storage and handling once delivered.

Crates:


 Medium Large Extra Large


medium crate
large crate
extra large crate

Internal Dimensions: 5% tolerance

 W115cm, D108cm, H69cm W115cm, D108cm, H111cm W115cm, D108cm, H149cm
Loose Volume (approx) 1.42m3 2.29m3 3.08m3
Stacked Volume (approx) 0.85m3 1.37m3  1.84m3

Shop Bulk Crates of Kiln-Dried Logs

Bulk Bags:


 Large Extra Large


Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs 1.2m3 bulk bag
Kiln Dried Hardwood Logs 1.6m3 bulk bag

Bag Dimensions

 W110cm, D110cm, H115cm W110cm, D110cm, H150cm
Loose Volume (approx) 1.2m3 1.6m3
Stacked Volume (approx) 0.72m3  0.96m3

Shop Bulk Bags of Kiln-Dried Logs


How to measure stacked & loose volumes

Stacked Volume

Loose Volume
Kiln dried logs neatly handpacked into a crate
kiln dried logs loosely tipped into a bulk bag

To measure stacked volume, the Certainly Wood team uses the approximate internal dimensions of the crate (height × width × depth). The tighter the stack, the more wood you receive per cubic metre. Stacked volume refers to the space taken up by the firewood itself, with the logs neatly arranged and tightly packed. 


👉 At Certainly Wood, our crates, small bags, and boot bags are all measured by stacked volume to give you a clear, consistent view of how much firewood you’re getting.

To measure loose volume, a general industry guide is that loose-filled firewood is around 67% larger than the same quantity of logs when neatly stacked.

👉 For example, our 1.2m³ bulk bag, measured as a loose-filled volume, would equate to around 0.72m³ when stacked (1.2 ÷ 1.67 = ~0.72m³).

Why is firewood price quoted by volume?

We quote firewood prices by volume because kiln-dried logs are lighter and more efficient than other types of wood, making weight a less reliable measure. Seasoned or semi-seasoned wood can contain more water, meaning heavier loads don’t always equal more usable fuel. 

dog sat by cosy woodburner in the house

Frequently Asked Questions About Firewood Volumes

  • Is loose firewood cheaper than stacked? Loose firewood can appear cheaper, but often contains less wood per cubic metre due to air gaps.
  • How much is 1m³ of stacked logs in loose volume? 1m³ of stacked logs equates to approximately 1.67m³ of loose-filled wood, based on industry conversion guidelines.
  • Why do bulk bags look bigger than crates? Because logs are not neatly stacked in a bulk bag, the resulting air gaps increase overall volume.
  • What’s the most accurate way to measure firewood? Stacked volume is a more accurate way to measure volume, as it’s a better reflection of the true quantity of wood.

Now that you understand the difference between loose and stacked firewood, you can make a more confident choice for your home. Browse our full firewood range to find the right size and format for your needs. Or, if you’d like to learn more about how to store your logs correctly, check out our helpful guide.

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