Match the rack to how much wood you’ll keep on hand, not to the biggest one you can afford. A 4 ft rack that holds about a quarter cord suits most households that burn on weekends. An 8 ft rack that holds half a cord fits regular stove users, and a 12 ft rack that holds three quarters of a cord is for people who heat hard all winter. Small spaces do better with a 2 ft, 3 ft or 4 x 2 vertical rack.
What size firewood rack do you need?
Start with two questions. How much wood do you burn in a typical week, and how much do you want within reach before the next delivery?
If you light the fireplace a couple of nights a week, you’re looking at a few bundles to a city cord’s worth of wood at a time. If the stove runs all winter, you’ll want a half cord or more on hand so you aren’t stacking in the snow. Our post on how much firewood you need for the winter helps you put numbers on it.
Then measure the space. A rack that doesn’t fit on your patio is just a bad idea waiting to be returned. Racks run 14 inches deep and some are 8 or 12 feet long, so grab a tape measure before you click.
Firewood rack sizes at a glance
The specs below come straight from the product pages. Capacity ratings from the manufacturer are based on 24-inch splits.
| Rack | Size (W x H x D) | Rated capacity | Good for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 ft steel rack | 2 ft wide | compact, portable | balcony, mudroom, small hearth |
| 3 ft crescent | 41″ x 22″ x 14.25″ | not rated | beside the fireplace, indoor or outdoor |
| 4 x 2 vertical | 24″ x 48″ x 14″ | not rated | tight patios and decks |
| 5 ft crescent with cover | 60″ x 36″ x 14″ | about 1/6 cord | cover included |
| 4 ft rack | 48″ x 48″ x 14″ | about 1/4 cord | weekend burners |
| 8 ft rack | 96″ x 48″ x 14″ | about 1/2 cord | regular stove use |
| 12 ft rack | 144″ x 48″ x 14″ | about 3/4 cord | heavy winter heating |
All of them are Woodhaven racks, made in the USA from steel, and the larger ones are hand arc-welded 16-gauge steel with a lifetime structural warranty. You can see the whole lineup in our firewood racks category.
Match the rack to your firewood order
It helps to size the rack and the delivery together. Here are some pairings that work.
A city cord or a few bins. A city cord is about 3 feet high, 2 feet wide and 16 inches deep stacked. A compact rack like the 3 ft crescent or the 4 x 2 vertical rack keeps a small supply dry and off the ground.
A quarter cord. A quarter cord is roughly 4 feet high, 6 feet long and 16 inches deep. The 4 ft rack is rated for about a quarter cord, so measure how you’ll stack it.
A 4′ x 4′ rack and a half face cord. If you already own a standard 4 by 4 rack, our Fill Your Firewood Rack order is sized to fill it with a little extra on top.
A half cord or more. A half cord is 64 cubic feet. The 8 ft rack is rated for about a half cord, and the 12 ft rack holds about three quarters of a cord if you want room to grow.
A word on measuring: the ratings are based on 24-inch splits, while our heating firewood is mostly around 16 inches long. Rack capacity depends on how you stack, so use the rating as a guide and allow a little extra room. For more on cord sizes, see face cord vs full cord.
Where should the rack go?
Location matters as much as size. A few rules to keep your wood dry and your house safe:
- Keep it off the ground. A rack does this for you. Wood stacked straight on soil or concrete wicks up moisture.
- Cover the top, leave the sides open. Rain should stay out and air should get in. Our guide to storing firewood outside goes into detail.
- Keep it away from the house. Stacks against siding invite pests and moisture, so leave some space. Check local fire codes, too.
- Think about the walk. The shorter the trip from the rack to the hearth, the more likely you’ll keep the woodbox full in January.
- Mind the sun and wind. A spot with some airflow dries wood better than a damp corner.
Do you need a seasoning cover?
If your wood is kiln-dried, you want it to stay that way. A cover keeps rain and snow off the top. The 5 ft crescent rack and the 4 x 2 vertical rack include one. Several others offer an optional cover sold separately. If you’re stacking green wood, a cover helps too, but leave the sides open so it can dry. Our post on seasoning firewood faster covers the details.
Don’t forget the log carrier
Even the best rack is only half the system. You still have to get the wood inside. The Woodhaven log carrier is made from automotive-grade Vyram, so it’s waterproof and washable, with fold-in handles. It’s a nice match for any rack. You can find it, along with other accessories, in the log carriers category.
How to stack wood on a rack
Stack the pieces bark side up if you can, and keep the heaviest, driest pieces toward the bottom where they carry the load. Leave a little gap between the wood and any wall so air can move, and don’t pile above the top rail, because a tall, leaning stack is how wood ends up on the patio. Rotate as you go: burn the oldest wood first and add new wood to the back or the top.
Check the rack once a season. Look for loose bolts, scratched powder coat and anything that’s leaning, and touch up bare spots so rust doesn’t get a start. A steel rack with a good finish should last for years, and a little attention keeps it that way.
Firewood rack FAQ
How big of a firewood rack do I need for a full cord?
A full cord is 128 cubic feet, 4 feet high, 4 feet wide and 8 feet long. That’s more than any single rack in our lineup is rated for. If you burn that much, plan on a large rack plus a second rack or a stacking area.
How much firewood does a 4 ft rack hold?
The 4 ft Woodhaven rack is rated for about a quarter cord, based on 24-inch splits.
Is an 8 ft rack big enough for a winter of firewood?
It depends on how you heat. It’s rated for about a half cord, which is a strong supply for regular use. If the stove is your main heat, you’ll likely restock during the season.
Can I keep a firewood rack indoors?
Smaller racks like the 3 ft crescent are designed for indoor or outdoor use. Keep any indoor stack small, and don’t store a large supply inside, since wood can bring bugs and moisture with it.
Do I need a cover on my firewood rack?
If you want to keep kiln-dried wood dry, yes. A cover with open sides keeps rain off while letting air through.
How far should a rack be from the house?
A common rule of thumb is to leave some space between the stack and your siding. Check local codes and your insurance for specific distances.
Do you ship firewood racks nationwide?
Yes. We ship nationwide, and during our seasonal sale shipping is free.
The bottom line
Pick the rack for the amount of wood you’ll actually burn and the space you have. If you’re not sure, the 4 ft rack is a good all-around starting point, and the 8 ft rack is the next step up. Browse the full selection in our firewood accessories category.
