A cord of wood is a stack that measures 4 feet by 4 feet by 8 feet. That is before cutting it up. If it is cut and split up in stove lengths a cord of wood is 128 cubic feet.
Don't let anyone sell you a "Face cord" that is nothing but a half cord.
I would never use soft wood for anything. Take your axe, cut up some small pieces of DRY hard wood like you were making shingles or clap boards, lay a few pieces on a bed of balled up newspapers and light it. When the kindling is burning well then lay some hardwood on the kindling.
Burning soft wood is asking for trouble.