What Size Log Splitter Do I Need?

A log splitter can be a great investment for anyone who wants to save time, avoid physical strain, and make firewood prep far more efficient. Instead of battling logs with an axe all day, you can power through piles of wood in a fraction of the time.

Log splitter sizing is perhaps the most important consideration before you buy, though. Too small and you’ll end up wasting time and stressing the machine. Too big and you’re overspending on equipment you don’t need. 

So what size log splitter do I need?

It comes down to the type of wood you’ll be splitting, the average log diameter, how often you’ll be using the machine, and whether you prefer electric or gas power. We’re going to walk you through every detail to help you make the most informed choice.

You can consult our log splitter size chart below, but just know a personalized recommendation is a click or call away at Equipment Outfitters. We carry machines from the most respected brands in the industry, ranging from compact 5-ton log splitters to massive 40-ton log splitters.

Shop now or get in touch for one-on-one support!

Quick Log Splitter Size Chart

Tonnage	Typical Max Log Ø*	Common Wood Types	Best For	Power
5 Ton	6–8″ softwood	Pine, fir	Kindling, light pruning	Electric
7 Ton	8–10″ softwood / small hardwood	Spruce, poplar	Small yard, occasional use	Electric
10 Ton	10–12″ mixed	Softwoods + light hardwoods	Homeowners, patio firewood	Electric / Manual
12 Ton	12–14″ mixed	Soft / moderate hardwoods	Light residential batches	Electric
20 Ton	14–16″ hardwood	Maple, ash	Regular home use, seasoned rounds	Gas / Electric (pro)
22 Ton	16–18″ hardwood	Oak (seasoned), elm	Heavier residential, small acreage	Gas
25 Ton	18–20″ hardwood	Mixed hardwood stacks	Serious firewood prep	Gas
27 Ton	20–22″ hardwood	Dense, knotty rounds	Rural properties, frequent use	Gas
28 Ton	20–22″ hardwood	Oak, hickory (seasoned)	High-volume residential	Gas
30 Ton	22–24″ hardwood	Oak, hickory, maple	Farm/ranch, side-hustle firewood	Gas
32 Ton	24–25″ hardwood	Large, knotty rounds	Frequent heavy use	Gas
34 Ton	24–26″ hardwood	Very dense hardwoods	Contractors, big acreage	Gas
37 Ton	26–28″ hardwood	Elm, knotty oak	Commercial-leaning workloads	Gas
40 Ton	28″+ hardwood	Oversized, gnarled rounds	High-volume commercial	Gas / Kinetic

What Size Log Splitter Do I Need? Tips on Picking the Right Equipment

Log splitter sizing dictates how efficiently you’ll get through your workload, how long your machine will last, and how much you ultimately spend on the equipment. 

A splitter that’s too small for your needs will strain on every round, leaving you frustrated as you fight through tough hardwoods or oversized logs. It might save you backbreaking labor, but it may not actually speed things up - and you’ll constantly be dealing with maintenance hassles.

On the other hand, going too big can mean paying for more power than you’ll ever use, along with added weight and fuel costs. It’s not practical, either. So, what size log splitter do I need?

The log splitter size chart above is an excellent starting point, but we’ll walk you through some of the more specific factors you have to consider to make the most calculated decision below.

Think About the Type of Wood You’ll Be Splitting

This is one of the most significant parts of log splitter sizing - not all wood is created equal. 

Softwoods like pine, spruce, and cedar split relatively easily, even with lower-tonnage machines. If that’s the bulk of what you’ll be working with, a 5-10 ton electric log splitter might work fine.

But, hardwoods are another story. Species such as oak, hickory, and maple are much denser and require more splitting force. Tackling them with a small unit not only slows you down but also risks overworking the machine. You’d likely need something between 20-40 tons.

Moisture content also matters, though. “Green” wood fresh from the tree is tougher to split than seasoned logs that have had time to dry out. In some cases, a healthy, fresh pine log would need more splitting power than a dense, dry oak log. Start your search in the 20-ton-and-up category if you anticipate handling freshly cut timber.

Factor in Log Diameter and Length

You can see how much nuance there is in sizing a log splitter already - but we haven’t even touched on log diameter and length! It goes without saying that the larger the diameter and length, the more tonnage you need. It was a major factor on our log splitter size chart.

Small, fireplace-sized rounds under 10 inches in diameter can often be split with machines in the 7-12 ton range. Logs in the 12-20 inch range require more muscle, pushing you toward 20-30 ton machines.

Once you get into 20-inch-plus logs, which are actually pretty common on rural properties or with heavy firewood use, you’ll want the reliability of a 32, 34, or even 37-ton machine.

Don’t forget to take length into account, though. Most residential splitters handle logs up to 24 inches long. Take the time to double-check specs before buying a log splitter if you plan on processing oversized pieces. 

Frequency of Use

How often you plan to run your log splitter is another key factor, because it dictates how much you will be willing to spend and how much space you can dedicate to storing the splitter.

A smaller, mid-range machine is usually more than enough for homeowners who split a few cords of firewood in the fall. They’re lighter, cost less, and take up less storage space.

Meanwhile, someone who uses a splitter every week or as part of their business operation can justify spending more on higher durability and capacity. Commercial operators and farmers often turn to 30-ton or larger models that can handle volume without downtime.

Be realistic about your usage - is it occasional, seasonal, or daily? and size your machine accordingly. Overbuying for light use ties up money in equipment you don’t need, while underbuying for heavy use creates headaches down the road.

Portability and Worksite Needs

Where you’ll be using your splitter also plays into sizing to some extent.

Smaller electric log splitters are easy to move around a garage or backyard and can even be used indoors with ventilation. Gas log splitters in the 20-ton-and-up range are bulkier, but many come with tow-behind hitches and highway-rated tires for transport between properties.

On a somewhat related note, we have a guide comparing the electric vs gas log splitter - and another comparing kinetic vs hydraulic log splitter - if you want help narrowing it down.

Weight and stability should be considered if your work involves uneven terrain. Larger machines may be harder to maneuver by hand but are designed to stay steady on tough ground. Portability doesn’t just mean moving it - it’s about how well the machine fits the worksite.

The Budget Side of Things

So, what size log splitter do I need? At the end of the day, you may get pigeon-holed into a certain size because it’s what you can afford. 

It should come as no surprise that higher tonnage log splitters cost more. So even if you want a 35-40 ton splitter, you may have to settle for something in the 25-30 ton range and accept a slower pace of work. 

But, you shouldn’t look at price alone. A machine that’s too small for your workload may burn out prematurely, costing you more in repairs or replacement. At the same time, there’s no point in paying for a 40-ton commercial splitter if you’re only splitting a couple cords of pine each year.

The good news? You can take the financial side of things out of your decision-making when sizing a log splitter. Equipment Outfitters has the lowest prices online, free shipping, and hassle-free financing to help you get the machine you actually need!

Get a Personalized Log Splitter Size Recommendation From Equipment Outfitters

We know that buying a log splitter isn’t about picking the biggest machine. It’s about finding the one that matches your exact workload. So, what size log splitter do I need? 

Don’t play the guessing game. Get in touch today for a personalized recommendation!

You gain access to the best brands in the industry, like Boss Industrial, Iron & Oak, Oregon, Swisher, Detail K2, Yardbeast, and PowerKing - all at the lowest prices online. 

What sets us apart, though, is how we combine world-class customer service with our unparalleled product selection. We negotiate aggressively with manufacturers so you get the lowest online pricing without sacrificing quality. You also get free shipping on most orders, no sales tax in most states, and financing options to make top-tier equipment more accessible. 

But our real advantage is our support team. Our staff understands how wood type, log size, and usage patterns affect tonnage needs, and we’ll guide you toward the best match for your property or operation. A personalized recommendation is just a click or call away!

Final Words on What Size Log Splitter You Need

So what size log splitter do I need? Hopefully, this log splitter size chart and guide has left you with total clarity on which machine best suits your needs. 

There are a lot of moving parts, but it comes down to matching your machine to the type of wood you’ll split, the diameter of your logs, how often you’ll use it, and where the work will take place.

Whether you’re shopping for a compact 5-ton electric splitter for light residential use or a 40-ton commercial beast designed for knotty hardwoods, you’ll find it here at Equipment Outfitters. Take the stress out of log splitter sizing with our guidance today!