Preheat oven to 350℉, lightly grease baking pans and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine and whisk flour, sugar cocoa powder, baking soda and salt
To the dry ingredients, add the water, oil, vinegar, and vanilla. Mix with spoon until batter comes together.
Stir in chocolate chips gently
If making three 6x.75 inch pans, weigh batter, then evenly divide by 3 (or just eyeball it.) Pans will be filled 3/4 way full. If using an 8x8 pan or making cupcakes then pour in evenly.
For the 6 inch round pans, bake for 20-25 minutes, just until set, when toothpick comes out clean and tops spring back when lightly tapped.
Cool while still in pans, remove and frost when cakes have cooled completely.