How to Cut Firewood with a Chainsaw

On this page (8 sections)

1. What should you do before cutting firewood?
2. How do you support a log for firewood cuts?
3. How do you cut wood with a chainsaw into usable lengths?
4. What is the best way to avoid a pinched chainsaw bar?
5. Which chainsaw suits different firewood setups?
6. How long should each firewood cut be?
7. What should you do after cutting firewood?
8. What is the simplest routine for cutting firewood?

Cut firewood with a chainsaw by supporting the log, marking manageable lengths, and cutting from a stable position. Keep the chain sharp, avoid cutting into the ground, and move each round only after the saw is stopped.

The right method depends on the log's weight, its support, and the length you need. A light round on a sawbuck asks for a different plan from a heavy trunk that needs support at both ends, so check the setup before you start cutting.

Measure the space where the wood will be stored or burned first. Mark each length on the log with a piece of chalk or a paint marker so you are not guessing while holding the saw.

If you are choosing a gas saw for this work, compare Echo and Stihl chainsaws.

Start with protective equipment, a clear work area, and a saw suited to your power source and cutting routine. Corded power suits a fixed pile near an outlet, while gas or battery power suits logs that sit farther from a power point.

Keep the work area clear of loose branches and offcuts that could roll into your stance. Place each finished round in a separate area so it cannot shift back into the next cut.

Check the chain, bar, and controls before you begin. A dull or loose chain makes daily cutting slower and less controlled, so stop and adjust or sharpen it before continuing.

Keep both hands on the saw and stand to the side of the bar. Let the chain do the cutting without forcing it through the wood.

Stop the saw and engage the chain brake before you move a round or reset the log. This pause gives you a chance to check the next support point and the next mark.

What should you do before cutting firewood?

Clear the work area and decide the finished length before starting the chainsaw. Measure the firewood space first, then mark the log so each round fits your stove, fireplace, or rack.

Wear eye and hearing protection, sturdy footwear, gloves, and clothing that does not hang near the chain. Keep bystanders and pets away from the cutting area.

Inspect the chain, bar, chain brake, and controls before use. The U.S.

Department of Labor's chainsaw safety guidance covers safe handling, protective equipment, and work practices.

If you are still choosing a saw, our chainsaws and pole saws buying guide explains the main power and bar-length differences. A longer bar is not automatically better for small logs because it can add weight and make positioning harder.

How do you support a log for firewood cuts?

Support the log so the chain will not touch the ground and the cut cannot close around the bar. A sawbuck is useful for smaller logs, while a larger trunk may need a stable support point at each end.

Place the log where it cannot roll. Remove loose branches that could change its position, but do not stand on the wood while cutting.

Plan the cut before squeezing the throttle. Watch the section that will fall, keep your legs outside its path, and leave enough support under the log for the final cut.

If one end hangs beyond the support, the overhanging section may bend downward as you cut. If the center is unsupported, the top of the cut may close and pinch the chain.

How do you cut wood with a chainsaw into usable lengths?

Mark the log at equal lengths, then make controlled cuts from the side. Keep the saw steady and let the chain do the cutting without forcing the bar through the wood.

For a log resting on a support, begin with a top cut while keeping the bar clear of the ground. If the log starts to bend or the kerf closes, stop and reassess its support.

Use the bumper spike if your saw has one, placing it against the wood before feeding the chain. Keep both hands on the handles and avoid reaching across the bar.

The CRAFTSMAN Electric Chainsaw has a 16 in low-kickback bar and chain, a 12-amp corded motor, automatic oiling, and tool-free chain tensioning. Its corded design suits a fixed cutting area with a safe power connection.

The CRAFTSMAN weighs 6.2 lb and includes the CMECS600 saw with a 16 in bar and chain. Its cord limits where you can work, so plan the log pile and extension-cord setup before cutting.

What is the best way to avoid a pinched chainsaw bar?

Watch the kerf as the log's weight shifts, and change the support or cutting direction before the bar gets trapped. A closing cut means the wood is pressing toward the chain.

If the top of the log is under compression, the top cut may close. A shallow cut from the underside can help open the lower side before you finish from above, but keep the bar and your body clear of falling wood.

If the underside is under compression, the lower cut may close instead. Stop if the bar begins to bind, engage the chain brake, shut off the saw, and release the wood only after the chain has stopped.

Do not twist the saw to free a trapped bar. Twisting can damage the bar or create a sudden movement toward you.

Which chainsaw suits different firewood setups?

Choose corded electric power for a fixed pile, gas power for remote work, or cordless power when you need movement without a cord. Bar length, weight, and fuel or battery needs all affect how you work.

The VEVOR Gas Powered Chainsaw 25.4CC 2-Cycle has a 12 in bar, 1.2 hp engine, 25.4CC gas power, and 0.24 qt fuel tank with a 0.17 qt chain-oil tank. Its 9.26 lb weight makes it a portable option for cutting away from an outlet.

The VEVOR's 12 in bar is suited to manageable logs and shorter cuts. Gas power adds refueling and engine-start steps, so keep fuel and chain oil handling separate from the cutting area.

The SEESII 12-Inch Electric Chainsaw Cordless has a 1200W brushless motor, a 12 in bar, two 4.0Ah lithium batteries, automatic oiling, and a 60mL oil tank. Its cordless design suits a woodpile where an outlet is inconvenient.

The SEESII weighs 12 lb and has a built-in battery indicator. Charge the batteries before beginning, keep the oil tank filled as directed, and stop when the battery level or cutting conditions no longer support safe work.

For more focused comparisons, see our guide to the best chainsaw for firewood. If your work includes larger standing trees before bucking them into rounds, compare the best chainsaw for tree cutting.

How long should each firewood cut be?

Cut each piece to the measured length your appliance or rack can accept. A consistent length makes stacking easier and reduces the chance that a round will jam inside a firebox.

Measure the inside depth of the stove or fireplace, then leave enough clearance for loading. A round that is too long may be difficult to place, while one that is too short may burn differently in your setup.

The right chainsaw bar length for firewood depends on the diameter of the logs and how easily you can control the saw. Keep the bar from contacting the support beneath the log.

After cutting, roll or carry the round away from the cutting zone before starting the next piece. This keeps the work area clear and separates cutting from splitting.

What should you do after cutting firewood?

Stop the saw, engage the chain brake, and inspect the chain before moving to the next task. Clear chips from the work area and place rounds where they will not roll back toward you.

Let the saw cool before storage. Check chain tension, add chain oil as directed, and clean the bar groove and surrounding area with the saw switched off.

If you are cutting wood from a fallen tree, confirm that nearby limbs and the trunk are stable. For questions about cutting a standing tree yourself, read can you use a chainsaw to cut down a tree yourself.

A saw sold with no chain may require extra planning before it can cut. Our guide to a chainsaw with no chain explains what to check before buying that type of setup.

What is the simplest routine for cutting firewood?

Measure first, support the log, cut from the side, and stop before the bar reaches the ground. That routine handles the most common firewood-cutting risks: unstable logs, pinched bars, uneven lengths, and damaged chains.

Choose the CRAFTSMAN for a prepared area with corded power. The CRAFTSMAN Electric Chainsaw, 16 Inch, 12 Amp Corded Chain Saw Electric, is listed with a 16 inch bar and chain, a 12 amp motor, automatic oiling, and tool free chain tensioning.

Choose the VEVOR for portable gas cutting, or choose the SEESII when cordless movement and battery power fit your work area. The VEVOR Gas Powered Chainsaw 25.4CC 2-Cycle is listed with a 12 inch bar, 1.2 hp, and gas power for work away from an outlet.

The SEESII 12-Inch Electric Chainsaw Cordless is listed with a 12 in bar, a 1200W brushless motor, and battery power. Its cordless design suits a woodpile where a cord would limit movement or create a trip hazard.

Cutting firewood with a chainsaw is safest when every cut has a support plan. If the log shifts, the kerf closes, or you lose a clear stance, stop the saw and reset the job before continuing.

After each cut, move the round away from the work zone before starting the next piece. Keep the next mark visible and the support clear so the following cut starts from the same stable position.

Frequently asked questions

What is the safest way to cut firewood with a chainsaw?

The safest method is to support the log firmly, mark the lengths first, and cut from the side while keeping both hands on the saw. Keep your feet clear of the bar, stop before the chain reaches the ground, and move each round only after the chain has stopped.

How long should firewood pieces be?

Firewood pieces should be short enough for your stove, fireplace, or fire pit, with a little clearance for easy loading. Measure the appliance or rack first, then mark every log consistently.

The right length depends on your setup, so do not copy a size that has not been measured.

Can you cut firewood on the ground with a chainsaw?

Avoid cutting directly on the ground because the chain can strike soil, rocks, or hidden debris. Rest the log on a stable support instead, or raise one end so the final cut finishes above the ground.

Stop before the bar reaches the support beneath the log.

How do you stop a chainsaw from getting pinched?

Support the log so the cut stays open, and watch how the wood bends as weight shifts. If the top is closing the kerf, cut from the underside first or change the support point.

Never force a pinched bar, and stop the engine before trying to release it.