How Much Do Wood Pellets Cost in 2025?

This article was updated using automation technology and thoroughly reviewed for accuracy by HomeAdvisor Editor Ryan Noonan.

Wood pellets cost anywhere from $200 to $400, with an average cost of $250. One bag of wood pellets can keep a stove running for roughly 24 hours, providing consistent heat throughout your day. Your total costs will depend on the amount and type of pellets you purchase, as well as the delivery and labor fees associated with them. Plan for these fuel costs upfront and work with a qualified pellet professional to keep your stove running safely and efficiently all season.

Wood Pellet Cost Factors

Several variables—such as supply, pellet type, and delivery—cause pellet prices to rise or fall:

• Supply: Because pellets are made from by-products like sawdust, price tracks closely with local waste-wood availability.

• Type: Corn tends to be less expensive than wood, while hardwood pellets cost more than softwood or biomass blends.

• Delivery: Expect an extra fee when pellets are dropped at your door.

• Brand: Big-box options are convenient, but premium brands such as Lignetics or Packsaddle often carry a modest markup.

Bulk Wood Pellet Prices

The amount of pellets you purchase has a large impact on your total costs. Ordering wood pellets by the ton costs $200 to $400, averaging $250, while a 40-pound bag costs between $8 and $9 per unit. Bulk buying is the most economical way to stock up, but remember to budget an additional $50 to $120 for delivery, depending on the distance from the supplier.

Wood Pellet Prices per Ton

Standard bulk orders for wood pellets are by the ton. A single ton of wood pellets (equivalent to 50 40-pound bags) costs $250 on average. Depending on the type of pellet fuel, however, you could spend up to $400 per ton. Alternatively, a cord of wood costs between $150 and $500 and lasts six to 10 weeks in a fireplace or wood-burning stove.

Bag of Wood Pellets Cost

Pellets are commonly sold in 40-pound bags and cost around $7 per bag. However, you can often lower the cost to $5 per bag when purchasing a bulk order. The type of pellets and the source from which you order them also factor into the price. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $10 for one 40-pound bag.

Pellet Stove Cost

A pellet stove costs $1,000 to $3,700 up front and is an addition to a home’s heating system. Like a fireplace, stoves are most effective at heating a single room. 

While you won’t incur monthly maintenance costs, you may need to have your stove serviced annually or every other year to help it last longer. Contact a pellet stove installer near you to get the best recommendation.

How to Choose Pellets

Not all wood pellets are created equal. Just because you can find a bag for $5 doesn’t mean you should pass up the bag that costs nearly twice as much. Certain factors, like BTUs, ash content, moisture content, and additives, may make the more expensive pellets longer-lasting and thus worth the investment.

BTUs

BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit, is a unit of measurement for heat output. The higher the BTUs, the higher the pellets will burn. Wood pellets range from 8,000 to 9,000 BTUs. To heat a larger space, you’ll want pellets with a higher BTU rating—but these tend to be more expensive.

Ash Content

When purchasing wood pellets, look for ash content less than 2% of the total weight of the pellets—at a minimum. An even higher-quality pellet should have an ash content below 1%, and the highest-quality may fall below 0.7%. The lower the ash content, the less often you’ll have to clean out your stove.

Additives

You may find bags of wood pellets with bark, cardboard, or other recycled materials added. This may yield lower wood pellet prices, but it results in a mixture that burns less hot and produces more ash.

Ways to Save on Wood Pellets

Here are a few helpful ways you can save on wood pellets:

• Buy in bulk: Ordering by the ton can cut your cost per pound by as much as 30%.

• Shop off-season: Prices often dip in spring and summer when demand is light.

• Prioritize quality: Low-ash, high-BTU pellets may cost more upfront, but they burn cleaner and require less maintenance over time.

• Team up: Combine orders with neighbors to unlock volume discounts.

• Look for incentives: Many states offer tax credits or rebates for renewable pellet fuel.

How HomeAdvisor Gets Its Cost Data

No place is more important than your home, which is why HomeAdvisor connects homeowners with local pros to transform their houses into homes they love. To help homeowners prepare for their next project, HomeAdvisor provides readers with accurate cost data and follows strict editorial guidelines. After a project is complete, we survey real customers about the costs to develop the pricing data you see, so you can make the best decisions for you and your home. We pair this data with research from reputable sources, including the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, academic journals, market studies, and interviews with industry experts—all to ensure our prices reflect real-world projects.