Stump grinding contractors charge per inch of diameter. Measuring incorrectly can lead to inaccurate quotes and surprise costs. Here's how to measure properly in under 60 seconds.

What You'll Need

• Tape measure (at least 3 feet long)
• Pen and paper (or phone notes app)
• Optional: Camera phone to document the stump

Step-by-Step Measurement Guide

Step 1: Find the Widest Point

Measure the stump at ground level, not at the top. Tree stumps taper—they're wider at the base where roots flare out. Contractors price based on the widest diameter they'll need to grind.

Pro Tip: If you have surface roots extending more than 6 inches from the main trunk, measure across the entire root flare. That's the actual grinding diameter.

Step 2: Measure Across the Center

Place your tape measure across the center of the stump at the widest point. Record this measurement in inches.

Common Mistake: Don't measure the circumference (distance around). You need the diameter (distance straight across).

Step 3: Measure the Perpendicular Diameter

Many stumps aren't perfectly round. Measure again 90 degrees from your first measurement (perpendicular). If the stump is oval-shaped, you'll get a different number.

Which measurement do you use? The larger of the two. Contractors will grind the entire stump, so the widest dimension determines the price.

Step 4: Round Up to the Nearest Inch

If your measurement is 23.5 inches, round up to 24 inches. Most contractors quote in whole inches, and it's better to slightly overestimate than get surprised with additional charges.

Example Measurements

Stump Type	Measurement 1	Measurement 2	Quoted Diameter
Small dogwood	10"	11"	11"
Medium oak (oval)	24"	28"	28"
Large oak with root flare	36"	40"	40"
Massive cottonwood	52"	48"	52"

Special Cases

Multi-Trunk Stumps

If a tree had multiple trunks that fused at the base, measure the entire combined width. Don't measure each trunk separately—contractors grind the whole mass as one unit.

Exposed Surface Roots

Roots extending 6+ inches from the main trunk add to grinding time. Include major surface roots in your measurement, or note them separately (e.g., "24" stump with 8" of surface roots on north side").

Decayed or Rotten Stumps

If parts of the stump have rotted away, measure the solid wood that remains. Contractors still charge for the full diameter they'll need to access, but severe decay might reduce the price—mention it when getting quotes.

Common Measurement Mistakes

• Measuring at the top instead of ground level: This underestimates the diameter by 20-40%
• Measuring circumference instead of diameter: Circumference is ~3x larger than diameter
• Forgetting root flare: Those wide surface roots add significant grinding time
• Rounding down: Always round up to avoid surprise charges

Why Accurate Measurements Matter

Contractors price by diameter because:

• Larger stumps = more grinding time (exponentially—a 20" stump takes 4x longer than a 10" stump, not 2x)
• Bigger equipment needed for stumps over 30"
• More blade wear on larger hardwood stumps

A 5-inch measurement error on a 25" stump could mean a $15-$25 price difference (at $3-$5/inch). Multiply that across multiple stumps and accuracy saves you real money.

Quick Measurement Checklist

1. ✅ Measure at ground level, not at the top
2. ✅ Measure diameter (straight across), not circumference (around)
3. ✅ Take two measurements 90 degrees apart
4. ✅ Use the larger measurement
5. ✅ Include major surface root flare
6. ✅ Round up to the nearest inch
7. ✅ Take a photo for reference

Upload your stump measurements for instant pricing →