Stump Grinding Cost Calculator

Estimate stump grinding from the stump diameter, your price per inch, and the crew’s minimum fee — whichever is higher sets the price.

Planning estimate: this is a planning estimate from the numbers you enter — not a bid or a contract. Get itemized written quotes from licensed, insured landscapers/contractors and confirm measurements before you commit.

Calculator

in
Measure across the widest point at ground level, including the root flare.
$/in
From your quote — a labeled starting point.
$
Most crews charge a minimum to roll a machine out.
Estimated total$100.00
Diameter × rate$72.00 (24 in × $3.00/in)
Minimum fee$100.00

Grinding a 24 in stump at $3.00/in is $72.00, but most crews charge a minimum of $100.00, so budget about $100.00. Measure diameter at ground level; a planning estimate, not a bid.

Once a tree is down, the stump is left behind — and grinding it out is usually a separate charge from the removal. Grinding chews the stump into mulch a few inches below grade so you can seed grass or plant over it. This calculator estimates the job from the diameter you measure, the price per inch in your quote, and the crew’s minimum fee — because on small stumps that minimum, not the per-inch math, is what you actually pay.

Formula

Stump grinding is usually priced by the diameter, with a floor so a small stump still covers the trip:

total = max( diameter (in) × price per inch ($/in), minimum fee ($) )

Measure the diameter at ground level across the widest point, including the flared roots — that is the wood the grinder actually has to chew through.

Worked example

A 24 in stump at $3/in with a $100 minimum:

24 × $3 = $72
max($72, $100) = $100

The per-inch math comes to $72, but that is below the $100 minimum, so you would budget about $100. On big stumps the per-inch price wins; on small ones the minimum does.

Measuring the stump and reading the quote

Grinding turns the stump into chips a few inches below grade so you can plant grass or a bed over it. To get a fair estimate and compare quotes cleanly:

  • Measure at the ground, not the cut. Include the root flare — a stump that looks 18 in across on top is often 24 in or more at the base.
  • Ask how deep. Standard grinding goes a few inches below grade; deeper grinding (to plant a tree or lay pavers) costs more.
  • Confirm the minimum. Almost every crew has one — it covers hauling the machine to your site even for a single small stump.
  • Chips and roots. Grinding leaves a pile of chips and does not remove surface roots. Ask whether haul-away and backfill with soil are included or extra.

All prices here are the ones you enter, so the estimate never goes stale. It is a planning number, not a bid — get an itemized written quote before you book.

Reference table

How deep the crew grinds changes the price — confirm what your quote assumes:

GoalTypical depthWhy
Surface / lawna few inches below gradeEnough to seed grass or lay sod over the spot
Bed depthdeeper grindPlanting shrubs or perennials near the old stump
Full removalgrind or excavate deepBuilding, paving or planting a new tree in the exact spot

Frequently asked questions

How is stump grinding priced?
Most crews charge by the stump diameter — a set price per inch — with a minimum fee so even a tiny stump covers the cost of bringing the machine out. Whichever is higher is what you pay.
How do I measure stump diameter?
Measure across the widest point at ground level, including the flared roots at the base, not the narrower top where the tree was cut. That base measurement reflects how much wood the grinder has to remove.
Why is there a minimum fee?
A stump grinder is heavy equipment that has to be trailered to your property. The minimum covers that trip and setup time, so a small stump does not get an unrealistically low price.
Does grinding remove the whole root system?
No. Grinding removes the stump and major surface roots to a few inches below grade; the deeper roots stay in the soil and decompose over time. If you plan to build or plant a new tree in the exact spot, ask about deeper grinding or full excavation.

Related calculators

Tree Removal CostEstimate what it costs to remove a tree from its height, your quoted price per foot, and add-ons for stump grinding and hauling. Formula and example shown.Tree Trimming CostEstimate tree trimming and pruning cost from the number of trees and your price per tree by size. Free calculator with the formula and a worked example.