The Higher Heating Value (HHV) of 17 wood fuels was correlated with their Klason lignin (L) and extractive contents (Ext). There was a highly significant correlation between higher heating value, Klason lignin and extractive contents. The HHV (MJ/Icg) of wood fuels as a function of lignin and extractive contents can be calculated using the following equation: qv,gr,d = 14.3377 + 0.1228 (L) + 0.1353 (Ext). The correlation coefficient (r) was 0.915. The standard error for Klason lignin was 0.017 and to extractive contents of 0.024. The proportion explained by Klason lignin was 56.4% and explained by extractive contents was 43.6%. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.