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Stump Grinding Cost Calculator
Estimate stump grinding cost per inch by stump diameter, wood type, and accessibility. This free stump removal estimator includes a price chart by size, bulk discounts for multiple stumps, and a chemical removal comparison.
Stump Grinding Price Chart (2026)
Typical grinding cost by stump diameter, measured at the widest point at ground level. From the free calculator at mulchdeck.com/tools/stump-grinding-cost
Stump grinding price per inch: 2026 chart by diameter
Grinding is priced per inch of diameter, so cost scales with stump size. This chart shows the typical grinding range by size before the minimum service fee. Most single-stump jobs still land at the $100 to $200 minimum regardless of size, and grinding several at once lowers the per-stump cost. Use the print button to save it as a one-page PDF.
| Stump diameter | Softwood ($2–$5/in) | Hardwood ($3–$7/in) |
|---|---|---|
| 6-inch | $12–$30 | $18–$42 |
| 8-inch | $16–$40 | $24–$56 |
| 10-inch | $20–$50 | $30–$70 |
| 12-inch | $24–$60 | $36–$84 |
| 14-inch | $28–$70 | $42–$98 |
| 16-inch | $32–$80 | $48–$112 |
| 18-inch | $36–$90 | $54–$126 |
| 20-inch | $40–$100 | $60–$140 |
| 24-inch | $48–$120 | $72–$168 |
| 28-inch | $56–$140 | $84–$196 |
| 32-inch | $64–$160 | $96–$224 |
| 36-inch | $72–$180 | $108–$252 |
Ranges are grinding-only and assume easy access. Hard-to-reach stumps add 20–50%. Most companies charge a $100–$200 minimum per visit; grinding 5+ stumps usually earns a 10–20% discount. Source: HomeAdvisor and Angi cost guides 2026, plus ISA pricing surveys.
Cost per stump when you grind more than one
The grinder has to be loaded, towed, and walked in whether you have one stump or ten, which is why the minimum does most of the work on a single stump and the per-stump price drops as the count goes up. These totals use 18-inch stumps with easy access at mid-range rates ($3 per inch softwood, $5 per inch hardwood), a $150 minimum, and 15 percent off at 5 or more stumps.
| Stumps (18 in) | Softwood total | Hardwood total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 stump | $150minimum charge | $150minimum charge |
| 3 stumps | $162$54 each | $270$90 each |
| 5 stumps | $229$45 each, 15% off | $382$76 each, 15% off |
| 10 stumps | $459$45 each, 15% off | $765$76 each, 15% off |
Multi-stump discounts of 10 to 20 percent at 5 or more stumps are typical. Some contractors instead charge full price for the first stump and 60 to 70 percent of the rate for each one after it. Either way, if you have more than one stump, get them quoted together in one visit. The contractor's pricing guide explains where those discounts come from.
Why stump grinding prices near you differ
Two quotes for the same stump can be $100 apart, and usually for real reasons:
- Your local labor market. Rates follow what operators and machines cost in your area and how many grinders are working it. Metro areas and places with few contractors sit at the top of the range.
- Access. A stump the grinder can drive straight up to is the cheap case. Gates narrower than a machine, fenced backyards, slopes, and stumps against a house or wall mean a smaller walk-behind grinder and more time, typically 20 to 50 percent more.
- Root flare and surface roots. Stumps are measured at the widest point at ground level, flare included, so a stump that looks 18 inches across the cut can bill at 24. Chasing surface roots out across the yard is usually an extra $50 to $150.
- Hardwood or softwood. Oak, hickory, and maple grind slower and wear teeth faster than pine or cedar, which is why hardwood runs $3 to $7 per inch against $2 to $5.
- Cleanup and haul-off. Leaving the chips in the hole is normally included. Raking them flat, backfilling with topsoil, or hauling the chips away is extra, and haul-off alone often runs $4 to $6 per inch.
We can't tell you the going rate on your street. The fastest way to a real number is to measure your stumps, note the access, and ask two or three local crews. You can find a stump grinding or mulching contractor near you in our directory.
The math, shown transparently
No black box. Here is exactly what the calculator computes. (Source: HomeAdvisor and Angi cost guides 2026, ISA pricing surveys)
// Per-stump cost by diameter and access
cost_per_stump = diameter_inches x cost_per_inch x access_multiplier
// Subtotal for all stumps
subtotal = cost_per_stump x number_of_stumps
// Bulk discount: 15% off for 5 or more stumps
bulk_discount = subtotal x 15% (if 5+ stumps)
// Total with $150 minimum fee
total = max(subtotal - bulk_discount, $150)
Worked example
8 stumps, 18-inch diameter, hardwood, easy access:
per_stump = 18 in x $5/in x 1.0 = $90
subtotal = 8 x $90 = $720
bulk_discount = $720 x 0.15 = $108
total = $720 - $108 = $612
// Chemical alternative
chemical = 8 x $15 = $120 (but takes 6 weeks)
Grinding vs chemical removal
Grinding removes the stump in a single visit. The grinder chews through the stump 6-12 inches below grade, and the chips can be used as fill or mulch. You are done the same day.
Chemical removal uses potassium nitrate to accelerate decomposition. It costs $15 per stump versus $75+ for grinding, but it takes 4-6 weeks and does not always work on hardwood. You drill holes in the stump, pour in the chemical, add water, and wait.
If you need the stumps gone before construction starts, grinding is the only real option. If you have time and want to save money on a large number of stumps in a non-construction area, chemical removal works for softwoods. For hardwoods like oak, hickory, or maple, grinding is more reliable.
Frequently asked questions
How much does stump grinding cost per stump?
Most single stumps cost $100 to $400 to grind. At mid-range rates an 18-inch stump is about $54 of grinding for softwood and $90 for hardwood, so one stump on its own usually pays the minimum (about $150) instead. Five 18-inch hardwood stumps come to about $382, or $76 each after a 15 percent multi-stump discount.
How much does it cost to grind a stump per inch?
Stump grinding is priced per inch of stump diameter: about $2 to $5 per inch for softwood and $3 to $7 per inch for hardwood. Measure the stump across its widest point at ground level. A 20-inch softwood stump works out to roughly $40 to $100 of grinding, though most companies apply a $100 to $200 minimum on small jobs.
How do you price a stump grinding job?
Contractors price stump grinding by measuring each stump’s diameter in inches, multiplying by a per-inch rate ($2 to $7 depending on wood type), and adjusting for access. Hard-to-reach stumps behind fences or on slopes add 20 to 50 percent because the grinder has to be walked in by hand. Add a minimum service call of $100 to $200, then discount 10 to 20 percent when grinding 5 or more stumps in one visit.
What is the average cost to grind a stump?
The average single stump costs $100 to $400 to grind, and most homeowners with one stump pay close to the $100 to $200 minimum. Small stumps under 12 inches almost always hit the minimum, mid-size 18 to 24 inch stumps run from the minimum up to about $170, and hardwood stumps over 30 inches reach $250 or more, especially with tight access or big surface roots. Grinding several stumps in one visit lowers the average cost per stump.
Is it better to grind or remove a stump?
Stump grinding is almost always the better choice. It is faster, cheaper, and less destructive to the surrounding landscape. Full stump removal (pulling the root ball) costs 50-100% more, leaves a large hole to fill, and damages nearby roots and landscaping. The only time full removal makes sense is when you need to excavate the area for construction.
How deep does stump grinding go?
Most stump grinders cut 6-12 inches below ground level. This is deep enough to plant grass or a new tree over the spot. If you need deeper removal for construction, specify that upfront. It costs more but some grinders can reach 18-24 inches below grade.
Is there a printable stump grinding price chart?
Yes. The price chart on this page covers stump diameters from 6 to 36 inches with softwood and hardwood ranges, and the print button saves it as a one-page PDF. Rates reflect 2026 cost guides: $2 to $5 per inch for softwood, $3 to $7 per inch for hardwood, before the $100 to $200 minimum most companies charge.
Related free tools
- Land Clearing Cost Calculator, full property clearing estimate.
- Lot Clearing / Site Prep, clearing with stump removal as a line item.
- Forestry Mulching Cost Calculator, full job estimate with stump treatment.
- How to Price Stump Grinding Jobs, the contractor's side of these numbers.