New Hampshire State Law

A cord of wood is legally defined as 128 cubic feet of wood stacked in parallel – not with the firewood criss-crossed at the ends of pile to help with stability of the stack, which takes up more volume.
To New Hampshire State Law, it means that the “pieces of wood are placed in a line or row, with individuFireplace and Stove Wood.
Definition—The term “cord” when used in connection with wood intended for fuel purposes shall mean the amount of wood that is contained in a space of 128 cubic feet when the wood is ranked and well stowed. “Ranked and well stowed” shall be construed to mean that pieces of wood are placed in a line or row, with individual pieces touching and parallel to each other, and stacked in a compact manner.
Fireplace and stovewood shall be advertised, offered for sale, and sold only by measure, using the term “cord” and fractional parts of a cord, or cubic meter.
Packaged Natural Wood (Bundled) Natural wood offered for sale in packaged form in quantities less than 1/8 cord or 16 cubic feet shall display the quantity in terms of cubic feet, to include fractions of cubic feet (e.g., .75 cubic feet.)
The above informations was obtained from New Hampshires Department of Weights and Measure.
Terms like “face cord” or “pallet load” have no legal status, although partial cords do, such as “half cord” or “quarter cord.”
This is a Great article on seasoned wood and its moisture content. The department of Weights and Measurments does want you do know what Green wood is and what Seasoned wood is. Get Ready for Next Winter—Buy Your Firewood Now! By Richard Cote, Director Division of Weights & Measures.
Another Great article Avoid Getting Burned When Buying Firewood By Richard Cote, Supervisor Bureau of Weights & Measures.
The State division of Wieghts and Mesaurements takes the short measurement of firewood sales very seriously. Address complaints about firewood vendors to:

Richard P. Cote, Supervisor of Weights and Measures
PO Box 2042, 25 Capitol St, Concord, NH 03302-2042
Phone: (603) 271-3700/3709
Email: [email protected]

Division of Weights & Measures:
Telephone: (603) 271-3700

Rebecca Malila, Director
[email protected]

Dennis Marquis, Program Specialist 1
[email protected]

Elaina DeAngelo, Program Assistant 1 (Licensing)
[email protected]

Jeffrey Wentworth, Investigator
[email protected]

Cheryl Ayer, Investigator
[email protected]