Wondering about stump grinding cost before you call a pro? Here’s a straight answer, with real price ranges, examples and the questions to ask.
Last updated: November 2026 · Reading time: 9 minutes
The tree is gone, but the stump is still sitting in the middle of your lawn, tripping the mower, sprouting little shoots and quietly attracting ants. Getting rid of it is usually quick and a lot cheaper than the tree removal itself. The question is how much you should expect to pay, and whether grinding or full removal is the right call.
Quick answer: Most homeowners pay about $200 to $250 to grind a single stump, with a normal range of roughly $120 to $400. Pros often charge $2 to $5 per inch of diameter, with a minimum fee of around $100. Extra stumps on the same visit usually cost less each, about $40 to $75. Full stump removal (pulling out the roots) costs more, roughly $200 to $700 per stump.
How Much Does Stump Grinding Cost?
Here’s what recent cost data from two of the largest home-service cost guides shows. Both use 2025 figures, so allow for some local and seasonal variation.
| Measure | Typical cost | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Average cost to grind one stump | $200 – $250 | Fixr, Angi |
| Normal range | $120 – $400 | Angi |
| Price per diameter inch | $2 – $5 (up to $7 in pricier areas) | Fixr, Angi |
| Minimum charge | About $100 | Fixr |
| Each additional stump, same visit | $40 – $75 | Fixr, Angi |
| Hourly rate (large or long jobs) | $150 – $200 per hour | Fixr |
Sources: Angi stump grinding cost guide (2025 data) and Fixr stump grinding cost guide.
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Stump Grinding Cost by Stump Size
Diameter is the biggest price driver. Measure across the widest part of the stump at ground level. Angi’s minimum-cost estimates by diameter:
| Stump diameter | Estimated cost |
|---|---|
| 6 inches | $118 – $130 |
| 12 inches | $124 – $160 |
| 18 inches | $136 – $190 |
| 24 inches | $148 – $220 |
Very large stumps (several feet across) are often priced by the hour or quoted on site, because they take much longer and may need a bigger machine.
Why Get Rid of a Stump at All?
It’s tempting to leave a stump and mow around it. Before you decide, here’s what an old stump can lead to:
- Trip and mower hazards. Low stumps hidden in grass are easy to hit with a mower blade or trip over, especially for kids and older family members.
- Regrowth. Many species keep sending up suckers from the roots, so you end up trimming new shoots for years.
- Pests and fungus. Decaying wood can attract wood-boring insects, ants and fungi, and some of them don’t stay in the stump.
- Lost space. A stump takes up room you could use for lawn, a garden bed, a patio or a play area.
- Curb appeal. If you’re selling, a cleared, level yard simply looks better in listing photos.
Compared with the tree removal itself, the stump grinding cost is small, which is why most homeowners book it at the same time.
How Stump Grinding Works, Step by Step
Knowing what the crew actually does helps you understand a quote:
- Site check. The operator looks at the stump size, nearby structures, sprinkler heads and access, and confirms utility lines have been marked.
- Clearing. Rocks and debris around the stump are removed so they don’t damage the cutting wheel or get thrown.
- Grinding. A spinning wheel with carbide teeth is swept back and forth across the stump, chewing it into chips a little at a time until it’s below ground level.
- Surface roots. If you’ve paid for it, large surface roots are ground out too.
- Cleanup. The crew either leaves the chip pile for you to use as mulch or hauls it away, depending on what your quote includes.
How to Prepare Before the Crew Arrives
- Call 811 (or confirm the company has) so gas, water and electric lines are marked.
- Flag sprinkler heads, invisible-fence wires and shallow pipes near the stump.
- Clear a path for the machine through gates and around beds, and measure gate width if access is tight.
- Move cars, toys and furniture away from the work area, since chips can fly.
- Agree on depth and cleanup in writing so the final bill matches the quote.
How Much Does It Cost to Grind Multiple Stumps?
This is where you can save. Most of a grinding company’s cost is getting the machine to your house, so each extra stump is cheaper. Angi’s figures:
| Number of stumps | Estimated total |
|---|---|
| 1 | $100 – $150 |
| 2 | $140 – $175 |
| 3 | $180 – $250 |
| 4 | $220 – $325 |
| 5 | $260 – $400 |
Tip: If you have more than one stump, or your neighbor does, book them on the same visit. Ask about a multi-stump price before the crew arrives.
Stump Grinding Cost Calculator (Simple Formula)
You can estimate your price in two minutes:
- Measure each stump’s diameter in inches at ground level.
- Multiply by a per-inch rate: about $2–$3 in lower-cost areas, $4–$5 in higher-cost metros.
- Apply the minimum. If the total is under about $100, expect to pay the minimum anyway.
- Add extras if needed: root grinding, debris hauling or a hard-to-reach backyard.
Example: two stumps of 18 and 24 inches equal 42 inches in total. At $3 per inch that’s about $126; at $5 per inch about $210. That lines up with the multi-stump ranges above. Your real quote may differ, so treat this as a ballpark for comparing bids.
What Affects Stump Grinding Cost?
- Diameter: the wider the stump, the longer the grind.
- Number of stumps: the first one carries most of the cost.
- Wood type and age: hard, dense wood takes longer. Old, rotting stumps can be easier.
- Roots: grinding large surface roots adds time and cost.
- Access: narrow gates, slopes, fences and flower beds can mean a smaller machine and more labor.
- Depth: grinding deeper (for replanting or laying sod) costs more than a shallow grind.
- Cleanup: some pros leave the chips; others haul them away for an extra fee. Fixr lists cleanup at about $2 to $3 per inch.
Stump Grinding vs. Stump Removal: Which Do You Need?
| Stump grinding | Full stump removal | |
|---|---|---|
| What happens | Stump is chewed into wood chips below ground level | Stump and main roots are dug or pulled out |
| Typical cost | About $100 – $400 | About $200 – $700 |
| Roots | Left in the ground to decay | Removed |
| Time | Faster | More labor and time |
| Best for | Lawns, garden beds, most yards | Building, paving or replanting in the same spot |
Costs from Fixr’s stump grinding vs. removal comparison and its stump grinding cost guide. For most homeowners, grinding is the better value. It leaves the stump 1 to 12 inches below the soil, so you can cover it with topsoil and grass. Choose full removal when you need the roots gone, for example to pour a patio, build, or plant a new tree in the exact same spot.
Should You Rent a Stump Grinder and DIY?
Renting a grinder costs about $100 to $300 per day, according to Angi. That can work for one or two small, easy-to-reach stumps if you’re comfortable with heavy equipment. But consider:
- Rental machines are smaller and slower than a pro’s grinder.
- You’ll need to haul the machine, and some weigh hundreds of pounds.
- Flying debris and the cutting wheel are genuinely dangerous. Wear eye, ear and leg protection.
- Call 811 before you dig or grind so underground utility lines can be marked.
Once you add the rental, transport and a full day of your time, a pro’s $100 to $250 quote often looks like the better deal.
What Happens After the Stump Is Ground?
- Wood chips: you’ll be left with a pile of chips and soil. Use them as mulch, or ask the crew to haul them away.
- Filling the hole: rake out most of the chips, fill with topsoil, and seed or sod. Leaving lots of chips in the hole can make the ground sink as they break down.
- Sprouts: some species send up shoots from leftover roots. Clip them back, and they’ll usually stop as the roots die.
How to Get a Fair Stump Grinding Quote
- Count and measure your stumps before you call.
- Ask whether the price includes surface roots, depth and chip removal.
- Get at least two or three quotes. Our guide to choosing a tree service lists the questions to ask.
- Confirm the company carries liability insurance.
- If you’re also removing a tree, ask for a combined price. Removal plus grinding together is often cheaper than booking separately.
Planning other tree work too? See our tree trimming cost guide. Still have a tree to take down first? See our tree removal page, or for storm damage, our emergency tree removal guide. Removing a palm? See our palm tree removal cost guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to grind a tree stump?
Most homeowners pay about $200 to $250 for one stump, with a normal range of roughly $120 to $400. Many companies charge $2 to $5 per inch of diameter, with a minimum fee around $100.
How much is stump grinding per inch?
Typically $2 to $5 per diameter inch, and up to about $7 per inch in higher-cost areas. An 18-inch stump at those rates comes to roughly $36 to $90 before any minimum charge.
Is stump grinding cheaper than stump removal?
Yes. Grinding usually costs about $100 to $400 per stump, while full removal of the stump and roots runs about $200 to $700.
Do multiple stumps cost less?
Usually. The first stump carries most of the cost, and each additional stump on the same visit often adds only about $40 to $75.
Can I plant a tree where a stump was ground?
It’s better to plant a few feet away. Leftover roots and wood chips make the exact spot a poor place for a new tree. If you must use the same spot, choose full stump removal.
How long does stump grinding take?
A small to medium stump often takes well under an hour once the machine is set up. Large stumps and big root systems take longer.
Find Stump Grinding Near You
Tree Removal Finder lists local companies that offer stump grinding across the U.S. Compare companies in your city, call them directly, or send one free quote request.