Chainsaw Cut Calculator

Answer 4 questions and get the exact chainsaw you need: the right bar length, power type, and specific model for your cutting job.

Question 1 of 5

What are you cutting?

Popular Recommendations

The most common results from our calculator. Find your use case below for an instant recommendation.

EGO Power+ CS1800 56V 18"

EGO Power+ CS1800 56V 18"

18" bar · ~$350

If you process firewood from rounds and logs in the 10-to-18-inch range and want the convenience of battery power with real cutting performance.

56V / 45cc gas equivalent · 9.2/10

EGO Power+ CS1611 56V 16"

EGO Power+ CS1611 56V 16"

16" bar · ~$249

If you need a chainsaw that sits in the garage for months and works instantly when a storm drops branches and small trees across your yard.

56V / 40cc gas equivalent · 9/10

Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24"

Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24"

24" bar · ~$600

If you're felling trees over 20 inches in diameter or clearing land with large hardwoods, you need a saw that won't quit halfway through the trunk.

60.3cc · 8.5/10

DeWalt DCCS620P1 20V 12"

DeWalt DCCS620P1 20V 12"

12" bar · ~$230

If you're trimming branches, limbing trees, or doing overhead pruning work where weight and control matter more than raw power.

20V MAX brushless · 8.2/10

Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20"

Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20"

20" bar · ~$500

If you're felling trees in the 14-to-20-inch range regularly and want the unlimited runtime and raw power that only gas delivers.

55.5cc · 8.8/10

EGO Power+ CS1611 56V 16"

EGO Power+ CS1611 56V 16"

16" bar · ~$249

If you want a storm-ready chainsaw without spending $400+ and your cutting needs are mostly downed branches and small trees.

56V / 40cc gas equivalent · 9/10

Husqvarna 445 18"

Husqvarna 445 18"

18" bar · ~$400

If you heat with wood and process firewood every week, you need a saw that runs all day without stopping to recharge.

50cc / 2.8 HP · 8.7/10

Greenworks 40V 12"

Greenworks 40V 12"

12" bar · ~$150

If you prune a few times a year and want the most affordable real chainsaw that handles branches up to 10 inches without breaking the bank.

40V · 7.6/10

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

20" bar · ~$550

If you need to fell trees in the 14-to-20-inch range but want something lighter and easier to handle than a gas saw, battery power has caught up.

56V / 55cc gas equivalent · 9/10

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

EGO Power+ CS2005 56V 20"

20" bar · ~$550

If you fell trees a few times a year and don't want to deal with gas mixing, carburetor cleaning, or a saw that won't start after sitting in the garage for months.

56V / 55cc gas equivalent · 9/10

Husqvarna 445 18"

Husqvarna 445 18"

18" bar · ~$400

If you need to take down medium trees but don't want to spend $500+ on a saw you'll use a few times a year.

50cc / 2.8 HP · 8.7/10

Echo CS-3510 16"

Echo CS-3510 16"

16" bar · ~$300

If storms knock out your power for days and you can't charge batteries, you need a gas saw that starts easily and handles debris clearing all day.

35.8cc · 8/10

Echo CS-3510 16"

Echo CS-3510 16"

16" bar · ~$300

If your pruning involves thick branches over 8 inches or you want gas reliability for remote property maintenance where charging isn't an option.

35.8cc · 8/10

Frequently Asked Questions

What chainsaw do I need for cutting firewood?
The EGO Power+ CS1800 56V with an 18-inch bar (~$350) is the best chainsaw for firewood. It delivers 45cc gas-equivalent cutting power, handles hardwood rounds up to 16 inches in a single pass, and gets roughly 200 cuts per 5.0Ah charge. For weekly firewood processing where you need all-day runtime, the Husqvarna 445 18-inch (~$400) gives you unlimited gas runtime and raw power through dense hardwood.
What's the best chainsaw for storm cleanup?
The EGO CS1611 56V with a 16-inch bar (~$249) is the best storm cleanup chainsaw. A charged battery holds its charge for months on the shelf, starts instantly with a button press, and the 16-inch bar handles downed branches and small trees up to 14 inches. If your power goes out for days and you can't charge batteries, the Echo CS-3510 (~$300) is the lightest gas saw in its class and runs on a fuel can.
Best chainsaw under $300?
The EGO CS1611 56V 16-inch (~$249) is the best chainsaw under $300. You get 40cc gas-equivalent power, a 16-inch bar that covers 90% of homeowner tasks, push-button start, tool-free chain tensioning, and the full EGO build quality. For under $250, the DeWalt DCCS620P1 20V 12-inch (~$230) is a compact powerhouse for pruning and light cutting at 9 lbs. Under $200, the Greenworks 40V 12-inch (~$150) includes battery and charger.
What size chainsaw do I need for 12-inch logs?
You need at least a 14-inch bar for 12-inch logs, following the rule: bar length should be at least 2 inches longer than log diameter. A 16-inch bar gives you comfortable margin and handles occasional larger logs without forcing a second cut. The EGO CS1611 with a 16-inch bar (~$249) is the best value at this size, delivering 40cc gas-equivalent power with push-button start.
Do I need a gas or battery chainsaw?
Most homeowners should choose battery. Modern battery chainsaws from EGO match 40-55cc gas saws in cutting speed while eliminating pull cords, gas mixing, carburetor maintenance, and exhaust fumes. Gas makes sense only if you need all-day runtime for heavy firewood processing, work in remote areas without power, or regularly cut 8+ hours in a session. Battery saws start every time with a button press and require near-zero maintenance.
What chainsaw should I buy for removing a fallen tree?
For fallen trees under 14 inches in diameter, the EGO CS1611 56V 16-inch (~$249) handles the job easily. For trunks 14-20 inches, the Husqvarna 455 Rancher 20-inch (~$500) or EGO CS2005 20-inch (~$550) give you the bar length and power needed. For trees over 20 inches, the Husqvarna 460 Rancher 24-inch (~$600) is the standard, though consider hiring an arborist for anything that large.
What's the best chainsaw for pruning trees?
The DeWalt DCCS620P1 20V with a 12-inch bar (~$230) is the best pruning chainsaw. At 9 lbs with battery, it's light enough for overhead limbing and precise enough for work in tight spaces between branches. It handles limbs up to 10 inches. Cross-compatible with 100+ DeWalt 20V tools so the battery does double duty. For budget pruning, the Greenworks 40V 12-inch (~$150) includes everything for under $150.
Is an 18-inch chainsaw big enough for most jobs?
Yes. An 18-inch bar is the most popular chainsaw size and covers 90% of homeowner tasks. It cuts through firewood rounds up to 16 inches in a single pass, handles storm cleanup, property maintenance, and can fell trees up to about 16 inches in diameter. You only need to go bigger (20-24 inches) if you regularly deal with trees over 16 inches or do land clearing. The EGO CS1800 18-inch (~$350) is the best all-around 18-inch chainsaw.