Chainsaws and Wood
Log Splitter Tonnage Chart: Tons by Log Diameter
Quick answer
Seasoned softwood up to 10 inches splits with about 4 tons, so a 5 to 7 ton electric splitter covers small rounds. Seasoned hardwood needs about 14 tons at 16 inches and 20 tons at 20 inches. Green or stringy wood needs 25 to 50 percent more.
Log splitters are rated by the force the hydraulic ram applies, in tons, and the force a log needs depends on three things: diameter, species and moisture. Buy some margin rather than running a splitter at its limit on every round.
The chart below is the same tonnage model the log splitter tonnage calculator uses. Our top pick for mixed hardwood is the Full Boar 28-Ton at $1,399.00.
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How many tons of splitting force do I need?
| Log diameter | Seasoned softwood | Seasoned hardwood | Tough or stringy wood | Green hardwood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 in | 3 tons | 4 tons | 5 tons | 5 tons |
| 8 in | 4 tons | 5 tons | 7 tons | 6 tons |
| 10 in | 4 tons | 6 tons | 8 tons | 8 tons |
| 12 in | 5 tons | 8 tons | 11 tons | 10 tons |
| 14 in | 8 tons | 11 tons | 15 tons | 14 tons |
| 16 in | 10 tons | 14 tons | 19 tons | 18 tons |
| 20 in | 14 tons | 20 tons | 27 tons | 25 tons |
| 24 in | 18 tons | 27 tons | 36 tons | 34 tons |
For straight-grained rounds 16 to 20 inches long. Knots, crotches and longer rounds need more force. Tough species use the hardwood figure times 1.35, and green wood times 1.25.
Which woods are hardest to split?
| Group | Examples | Splitting difficulty | Column to use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Softwoods | Pine, spruce, fir, cedar, poplar, aspen, basswood | Easy | Softwood column |
| Common hardwoods | Oak, ash, maple, cherry, birch, walnut | Moderate | Hardwood column |
| Tough or stringy | Elm, sweetgum, hickory, black gum, sycamore, crotches and knots | Hard | Hardwood times 1.35 |
Elm and sweetgum are the classic examples of wood that defeats an underpowered splitter regardless of diameter.
How do log splitter classes compare?
| Type | Force | Cycle time | Max log length | Catalog example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manual hydraulic | 10 tons | Strokes by hand | 18 in | Sun Joe LJ10M |
| Electric | 5 to 7 tons | 18 to 20 sec | 20 to 20.5 in | Sun Joe LJ602E, PowerSmart 7-Ton |
| Compact gas | 8 tons | About 20 sec | Varies | Champion 8-Ton |
| Full-size gas | 20 to 22 tons | 7 to 7.5 sec | 20 to 21 in | SuperHandy 20-Ton, BILT HARD 22-Ton |
| Large gas | 28 tons | About 10.9 sec | Varies | Full Boar 28-Ton |
Cycle time is how long the ram takes to extend and retract. A 7 second cycle splits roughly twice as many rounds per hour as a 15 to 20 second cycle.
Is an electric or gas log splitter better?
Electric splitters such as the PowerSmart 7-Ton and the Sun Joe LJ602E are quiet, need no fuel or engine maintenance and can run in a covered area near an outlet. Their 4 to 7 tons and roughly 20 inch log length suit a few cords of seasoned softwood or small hardwood rounds a year.
Gas splitters deliver 20 tons and up with much faster cycle times, which is what matters when you split several cords of hardwood. The SuperHandy 20-Ton cycles in about 7.5 seconds, and the Full Boar 28-Ton handles green and knotty wood that stalls smaller machines. See electric vs gas log splitters.
How is splitter tonnage calculated?
The model interpolates between published guidance points for seasoned softwood and seasoned hardwood at 6, 8, 10, 12, 16, 20 and 24 inches. It then multiplies by 1.35 for tough, stringy species such as elm and sweetgum, and by 1.25 for green wood, which is wetter and tougher than seasoned wood.
The calculator adds about 20 percent margin for knots and odd rounds and rounds up to a common splitter size. Cycle time matters as much as force for big jobs: at three cords a year, a 7 second cycle instead of a 20 second one is the difference between a weekend and several. Bucking the rounds first is a separate sizing question, covered by the chainsaw bar length calculator.
Does log length matter for a log splitter?
Yes, in two ways. Every splitter lists a maximum log length, often 18 to 21 inches for electric models and 20 to 25 inches for gas, and rounds longer than the beam simply will not fit. Longer logs also need more force, because more wood fiber has to separate at once.
Most wood stoves take 16 to 18 inch splits, so cutting rounds to your firebox length before splitting saves both tonnage and time. A 20 inch bar saw such as the Husqvarna 450 Rancher handles most firewood bucking. Technique is covered in how to split firewood.
Which log splitter should I buy?
Match tonnage to the wood you actually burn, then check cycle time against how many cords you do a year. Full picks are in the best log splitters.
Full Boar 28-Ton Gas Log Splitter
$1,399.00Twenty-eight tons with a 10.9 second cycle covers seasoned hardwood to about 24 inches and green or knotty rounds that stall smaller machines.
Best for: several cords of oak, maple or elm a year
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SuperHandy 20-Ton Gas Log Splitter
$869.00Twenty tons with a 7.5 second cycle and a 16 inch maximum log diameter, which splits roughly twice as many rounds per hour as an electric.
Best for: two to four cords a year of mixed wood
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BILT HARD 22-Ton Gas Log Splitter
$1,099.99Twenty-two tons on a 209cc engine with a 7 second cycle and a 21 inch log capacity, which covers seasoned hardwood to about 20 inches.
Best for: regular hardwood splitting
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PowerSmart 7-Ton Electric Log Splitter
$379.99Seven tons with a 20 inch log length and a 10 inch diameter limit, quiet enough to run in a garage bay with the door open.
Best for: seasoned softwood and small hardwood rounds
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Sun Joe LJ602E 5-Ton Electric Log Splitter
$399.99Five tons handles seasoned softwood up to about 10 inches, which is enough for a fireplace rather than a whole-house wood stove.
Best for: occasional splitting of small rounds
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Sun Joe LJ10M 10-Ton Manual Hydraulic Log Splitter
$249.99A manual hydraulic splitter rated at 10 tons for 18 inch logs, which works anywhere with no engine or cord, slowly.
Best for: small volumes far from power
Check price on AmazonHow we chose
We did not test these products in person. Picks are researched from manufacturer specifications and owner manuals, engine and safety certifications where they apply, warranty terms, public recall records, and the recurring themes in verified owner reviews. We favor established brands with large review counts and parts support, match each pick to a real yard size or task, and place it in the tier where its price and capability actually belong.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 10 ton log splitter enough?
A 10 ton splitter handles seasoned softwood up to about 14 to 16 inches and seasoned hardwood up to about 12 inches. It will struggle with larger oak, knotty rounds and stringy species like elm. For occasional fireplace wood it is often enough, but for regular hardwood or green wood a 20 to 25 ton gas machine is far more reliable.
How many tons do I need to split oak?
Seasoned oak needs about 8 tons at 12 inches, 14 tons at 16 inches and 20 tons at 20 inches diameter. Green oak takes roughly 25 percent more, and knotty or crotch pieces more again. For a typical mix of 12 to 20 inch oak rounds, a 20 to 22 ton gas splitter works well, and 28 tons gives margin for large or green wood.
Are electric log splitters worth it?
Yes, for the right wood. Electric splitters of 5 to 7 tons are quiet, low maintenance and easy to store, and they split seasoned softwood and small hardwood rounds up to about 10 inches well. They are a poor fit for large hardwood, green wood or several cords a year, where their force and 18 to 20 second cycle times become the bottleneck.
What is a good cycle time for a log splitter?
Full-size gas splitters commonly cycle in about 7 to 12 seconds, while electric splitters take around 18 to 20 seconds. For a cord or two a year the difference hardly matters. For several cords, a faster cycle roughly doubles how many rounds you split per hour, which usually matters more than a few extra tons of force.
Can a log splitter split wood with knots?
Yes, but knots and crotches take far more force than clear, straight-grained wood, often 25 to 50 percent more. Position the wedge to split through or alongside the knot rather than across it, and work large knotty rounds from the edges inward. If a round stalls the ram, stop and reposition it rather than forcing the machine, and never free a stuck piece by hand.
Researched, not professional advice. This page is compiled from published specifications, manuals, labels and owner-review consensus, not hands-on testing. Follow the manufacturer's instructions and product label, and consult a qualified professional where safety, chemicals, fuel or structures are involved. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.