Stump Grinding Cost Calculator
Use this free stump grinding cost calculator to estimate what a pro will charge to grind your tree stumps. Enter the stump diameter, adjust the per-inch rate to match your area, and add multi-stump discounts, site access, and common add-ons — all figures are estimates for planning, not quotes.
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All figures are estimates for planning, based on national-average per-inch rates. Actual quotes vary by region, stump species, root flare, and site access — get local quotes before budgeting.
How to use this calculator
Measure each stump across its widest point at ground level, in inches, and enter that diameter above. If your stumps differ in size, run the calculator once per size or enter the average — most pros quote each stump individually.
Set the per-inch rate to match your area. The national average runs about $3.00 to $5.50 per inch of diameter, so the default $5.00 sits at the upper end; lower it if your local quotes run cheaper. Keep the $125 minimum service call unless a pro has quoted you a different floor — nearly every grinder charges a minimum to cover travel and setup.
If you're grinding several stumps in one visit, pick the matching discount: many pros knock 10% off for 3–5 stumps and 15% off for 6 or more, since mobilizing the machine is their biggest fixed cost. Tick "hard access" if the grinder must cross slopes, narrow gates, or rocky ground, and check any add-ons you want included in the estimate.
How it works
Stump grinding is priced per inch of stump diameter because diameter is the honest measure of the work: a 24-inch stump has roughly four times the wood of a 12-inch stump. The base formula is simply diameter (inches) × rate per inch, so a 24-inch stump at $5.00 per inch costs $120 to grind.
On top of that base, the calculator applies your site-access factor (1.0× for easy access, 1.25× for hard access), multiplies by the number of stumps, applies the multi-stump discount, and then enforces the minimum service call: if the discounted grinding subtotal comes in below the minimum, the minimum wins. Finally it adds any checked add-ons — surface root chasing ($75), debris haul-away ($100), and topsoil & seed fill ($60) — which are typical estimates, not fixed prices.
The low–high range re-runs the per-stump math at $3.00 and $5.50 per inch so you can see the plausible spread for your stump before calling for quotes.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost?
Most pros charge by stump diameter, typically $3.00 to $5.50 per inch, plus a $100 to $150 minimum service call. At those rates, a 24-inch stump costs roughly $72 to $132 before add-ons. Actual quotes vary by region, stump species, and site access, so treat any figure as an estimate and get local quotes.
How is stump diameter measured for pricing?
Stump diameter is measured across the widest point at ground level, sometimes including the root flare where the trunk meets the ground. The base price is simply that diameter in inches multiplied by the pro's per-inch rate.
Does stump grinding remove the roots too?
Usually not. A standard grind goes about 6 to 12 inches below grade, leaving deeper roots to decay naturally. Chasing visible surface roots is a common add-on, typically around $75 as an estimate. Full root excavation is a separate, much more expensive job.
What happens to the hole and the wood chips after grinding?
The hole is usually backfilled with the grindings, which settle over time. You can keep the chips as mulch, pay for haul-away (typically around $100 as an estimate), or add a topsoil and seed fill (typically around $60 as an estimate) if you want a level, plantable lawn again.
Is it cheaper to grind several stumps at once?
Yes. Mobilizing the grinder is the biggest fixed cost, so many pros offer 10% off for 3 to 5 stumps and 15% off for 6 or more. Doing all your stumps in one visit is the easiest way to lower the per-stump price.