How Much Is Firewood in the UK? 2026 Price Guide

Firewood prices in the UK vary more than most people expect. A single net bag costs a few pounds; a full season's supply runs into the hundreds. The format you buy, the wood species, the moisture content, and the time of year you order all affect the final price. This guide covers current price ranges for every format - bags, bulk bags, and tonnes - along with the factors that move the numbers up or down.

In the UK, firewood typically costs around £8 to £15 per net bag, £90 to £130 per bulk bag, and £250 to £500 per tonne, depending on wood type and moisture content. Kiln-dried hardwood costs more upfront than seasoned alternatives but burns more efficiently, making it better value across a full heating season.

How Much Is Firewood in the UK? Quick Price Summary

Prices shift with wood type, moisture content, supplier, and season. The table below gives a working reference for 2026 - use it as a starting point rather than a fixed quote.

All prices are approximate and vary by supplier, region, and season. Buying in spring or summer typically costs 20-30% less than equivalent winter orders.

Net bags cost the most per unit of heat but suit occasional use well. Bulk bags offer the most practical value for regular UK households. Tonne pricing is most relevant for buyers with high volumes and adequate dry storage.

How Much Is a Bag of Firewood?

Bags are the most accessible way to buy firewood in the UK, available from garden centres, supermarkets, and specialist online suppliers.

Net bag prices (kiln-dried hardwood)

A 40-litre net bag of kiln-dried hardwood - typically a mix of oak, ash, birch, beech, sycamore, and chestnut - costs around £8 to £15 from specialist UK suppliers. The price reflects guaranteed moisture content below 20%, verified through Ready to Burn (RTB) certification, which is the UK standard confirming wood is safe and legal to sell in volumes under 2m³. For households in Smoke Control Areas, RTB-certified wood is the compliant choice.

Supermarket and garden centre bags sit lower at around £4 to £8 per bag. However, moisture content is rarely tested or certified, and burn performance is inconsistent. The lower shelf price does not always reflect lower cost per unit of heat produced.

When bags make sense

Bags work well for occasional burning, topping up between bulk deliveries, or trialling a new wood species. For anyone burning wood two or more evenings a week through autumn and winter, bulk bags reduce cost per log significantly and eliminate the inconvenience of repeated small orders.

How Much Is a Bulk Bag of Firewood?

Bulk bags are the standard purchase format for regular wood burner and open fire users across the UK, offering considerably better value than individual nets.

Standard bulk bag (approximately 200kg)

A standard eco bulk bag of kiln-dried hardwood - around 200kg of mixed oak, birch, beech, ash, sycamore, and chestnut - typically costs in the region of £90 to £120 from specialist UK suppliers. This quantity covers most smaller households through several weeks of regular evening burning and is a practical starting point for buyers moving from nets to bulk for the first time.

Extra large bulk bag (approximately 300kg)

For heavier users, an extra large bulk bag kiln dried hardwood at around 300kg costs approximately £115 to £135. The higher weight-to-cost ratio and fewer deliveries across a season make this the preferred option for households running a log burner through the majority of autumn and winter. The effective cost per kilogram of wood is lower than the standard bag, and the delivery frequency drops accordingly.

Multi-bag bundles

Ordering two, three, or four bulk bags together typically reduces the per-bag cost by around 5 to 10 percent and often qualifies for free UK delivery. A four-bag order of extra large bags covers most homes running a log burner as their primary evening heat source through a full heating season without needing to reorder. Browse our kiln-dried hardwood bulk bags for current bundle options and pricing.

How Much Is a Tonne of Firewood?

Tonne pricing is most relevant for high-volume buyers, commercial properties, or households with multiple appliances running regularly through winter.

Tonne pricing varies significantly by region and supplier. Delivery charges may apply to remote postcodes regardless of order size.

Kiln-dried hardwood commands the highest tonne price but delivers the most reliable heat output. Seasoned alternatives cost less upfront, but variable moisture content means more logs are needed to produce the same warmth - narrowing the effective price gap considerably.

How much is a cord of firewood in the UK?

The cord is a North American unit and is not used by UK firewood suppliers. One full cord equals approximately 3.6 cubic metres. In the UK, firewood is sold by the bulk bag, cubic metre, or tonne. If a supplier quotes a cord price, divide by 3.6 to get a cost per m³ for a meaningful UK comparison.

Is Firewood Cheaper Than Gas and Electricity?

Heating costs in the UK have remained high since the energy crisis of 2022, and firewood has become an increasingly practical alternative or supplement to gas and electric heating. Cost per kWh is the most useful comparison point.

All figures are approximate and reflect prevailing UK energy market conditions. Gas and electricity rates are subject to Ofgem price cap changes; check current rates before making heating decisions.

Wood heating costs roughly 65-70% less per unit of heat than electricity. The gap versus gas is smaller, but firewood prices are far more predictable from one season to the next and are not tied to global commodity markets. For households with a high-efficiency Ecodesign stove, burning kiln-dried hardwood remains one of the most cost-effective ways to heat a main living space through the UK winter.

What Affects the Price of Firewood?

Several factors determine what you actually pay. Understanding them helps you buy smarter and avoid overpaying for the same quality of heat.

Wood species is the single biggest variable after quantity. Dense hardwoods - oak, ash, and beech - burn longer and produce more heat per log, which justifies their higher price. For a detailed breakdown of how individual species compare on burn time and output, see our guide to what wood burns the longest.

Moisture content directly affects both price and value. RTB-certified kiln-dried logs cost around 20 to 30% more than uncertified seasoned alternatives but arrive ready to burn and perform consistently. Wet wood with moisture above 25% burns poorly, produces excess smoke, and can cause creosote buildup in flues over time.

Quantity purchased has a major impact on unit cost. A net bag from a supermarket may work out to the equivalent of £600 or more per tonne when priced per kilogram of wood. The same wood in bulk bags from a specialist supplier can cost half that, or less, when bought in multi-bag bundles.

Season is a significant pricing factor. UK suppliers produce most of their stock in spring and summer. As autumn demand rises, prices follow. Buying outside the heating season - April to June in particular - typically delivers savings of around 20 to 30% against the same order placed in November or December.

Delivery distance influences the final price, particularly for remote or rural addresses. Most UK specialist suppliers offer free delivery above a minimum order value, usually around £100, but this threshold varies and surcharges may apply to certain postcodes.

When Is the Best Time to Buy Firewood?

Timing a firewood purchase strategically is one of the most effective ways to reduce the cost without compromising on quality or quantity.

April to June is consistently the lowest-price window. Demand is at its annual low, suppliers have full stock, and prices are typically 20 to 30% below peak-season rates. Kiln-dried logs stored in a dry, covered space from this point are ready to burn immediately when the first cold evenings arrive in autumn.

July to August remains a good buying window. Some suppliers begin releasing autumn stock, and early-order discounts are common for multi-bag purchases.

September is when the first price increase typically occurs. As the heating season approaches, demand builds and prices begin to rise, often sharply.

October to January is peak demand. Prices are at their highest, delivery slots are busiest, and stock can run low with popular suppliers before the end of the season. Buying during this window costs significantly more for the same product.

The most practical approach for regular users is to order a full season's supply in spring or early summer, store it in a covered, well-ventilated log store, and avoid the autumn price rise entirely.

Learning how to choose a log store and stack logs effectively helps preserve low moisture content and ensures your firewood performs as expected when the heating season begins.

The Bottom Line on Firewood Prices 

Understanding how much firewood costs in the UK comes down to format, wood type, and timing. Net bags suit occasional use; bulk bags offer the best everyday value; tonne pricing rewards high-volume buyers. Kiln-dried hardwood consistently outperforms seasoned alternatives when measured by cost per unit of heat rather than purchase price alone. Buying in spring remains the single most effective way to reduce spend without compromising quality.

Kiln Dried Logs provides a range of buying guides and certified firewood options to help UK households choose the right logs for their heating needs, whether you're buying a single bulk bag or stocking up for the winter.