What grit sandpaper to use: grit picker
Lower numbers are coarser and remove more. Higher numbers are finer and leave a smoother surface. Pick your job to see the grits to use, in order.
Grit chart
| Grade | Grits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Extra coarse | 24–36 | Heavy stock removal, floor sanding, rough shaping |
| Coarse | 40–60 | Stripping paint and varnish, leveling rough wood, rust removal |
| Medium | 80–120 | Smoothing wood, removing marks, drywall |
| Fine | 150–180 | Final sanding of bare wood before stain or paint |
| Very fine | 220–240 | Light sanding between coats, scuffing before paint |
| Extra fine | 280–400 | Between coats of finish, metal and plastic prep |
| Super fine | 600–2000+ | Wet sanding paint and clear coat, polishing |
Particle size by P-grade
| P-grade | Average particle (µm) | P-grade | Average particle (µm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| P40 | 425 | P320 | 46.2 |
| P60 | 269 | P400 | 35.0 |
| P80 | 201 | P600 | 25.8 |
| P100 | 162 | P800 | 21.8 |
| P120 | 125 | P1000 | 18.3 |
| P150 | 100 | P1200 | 15.3 |
| P180 | 82 | P1500 | 12.6 |
| P220 | 68 | P2000 | 10.3 |
A "P" before the number means the European FEPA scale. US CAMI grits match P-grades closely up to about 220. Finer than that the scales split: a CAMI number is coarser-sounding than the same scratch in P (CAMI 400 sits between P600 and P800), so check the backing for the "P".
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Questions & answers
What grit sandpaper should I use on wood?
Start at 80 to remove marks, then 120, then finish at 150–180 before staining or painting. Start at 40–60 only if you are stripping an old finish or leveling rough boards.
Can I skip grits?
Skip no more than one step. Each grit has to remove the scratches from the one before. Jumping from 60 straight to 220 leaves deep scratches that show through stain.
What grit to sand between coats of polyurethane?
Use 220 to 320, lightly, just to knock down dust nibs and dull the surface so the next coat sticks. Clean off the dust before recoating.
What grit for drywall?
Use 120 for most joint compound and 150 for a smoother final pass. Coarser grits tear the paper face of the drywall.