Clicky

StumpCostcalc

Stump Grinding Cost Calculator

Enter stump diameter, quantity, root complexity, and access. Get a realistic grinding or removal cost, plus multi-stump discount math.

Measure the widest part of the stump at ground level with a tape. An 18-inch stump is typical for a mature maple or oak that came down in a storm.

Multi-stump jobs get a significant discount past the first. One crew, one trip, one minimum charge.

Most crews leave the chips as free mulch. Haul-away adds roughly $3 per diameter inch total. Check this if you have no use for a pile of wood chips.

Est. $0 - $0

What this calculator actually does

Most stump cost pages on the first page of Google hand you a range like "$100 to $400" and call it a day. That is close to useless if you have three 28-inch oaks in the back corner behind a fence. This calculator takes diameter, count, root complexity, wood species, access, and job type and feeds them through the same formula local tree services use when they bid a job.

Under the hood: a per-inch rate ($2.50 to $5 depending on roots), a $150 per-stump floor, a 30 percent premium for stumps over 24 inches across, a 15 percent bump for hardwood species like oak and hickory, a multi-stump discount after the first, and an optional 2.5x multiplier for full removal versus grinding. Read the full formula and the reasoning.

No email. No zip code gate. No "match me with a pro" widget that sells your number to five lead buyers. Just the math.

Common questions

How much does stump grinding cost per inch?
Most tree services charge $2.50 to $5 per inch of stump diameter, measured at ground level. Midpoint is about $3.50. A 15-inch oak stump runs roughly $150 to $225 after the per-stump minimum kicks in, and a 30-inch stump can hit $400+ once the large-stump premium stacks on.
Grinding vs full removal, what is the difference?
Grinding chews the stump down to about 6 inches below grade with a carbide-tooth cutter wheel, leaves the root ball, and produces a pile of chips. Full removal pulls the whole thing out with a skid steer or excavator, leaves a large hole, and costs 2 to 3x more. For lawn or garden, grind. For a foundation or driveway, remove.
Do I really get a discount for multiple stumps?
Yes. The first stump pays for the truck, the trailer, and the minimum. Stumps two through ten ride along, and most crews charge 30 to 40 percent of the first-stump rate for each additional one. This calculator uses 35 percent, which matches what LocalServiceCalculator and GrindNGoStumps publish. If a quote prices every stump the same, you are being overcharged.
What about the roots left behind?
Roots do not keep growing once the stump is ground, they rot in place over 5 to 10 years. If you are replanting on top, the slow decay will pull nitrogen out of the surface soil, so layer in topsoil and a nitrogen-heavy fertilizer, and ideally wait a season before planting a sapling over the old crown.

See the full FAQ →