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Chart · Abrasives

Sandpaper Grit Chart for Woodworking

Grits from 40 to 600 with what each is for, common stopping points by finish, and the US and European grading systems compared by particle size — because the same number does not mean the same grit.

About this guide

Published
Reading time
1 min
Level
Beginner

Sheet02

Sandpaper Grit

Coarse to Fine, and Where to Stop.

Answers
Which grit next — and where to stop?
Units
CAMI grit
Sheet
02 of 08

Each grit removes the scratches of the one before and leaves finer ones of its own. Start only as coarse as the surface needs, and let the finish decide where you stop.

Grit progressionUS (CAMI) grit numbers. Relative scratch is a comparison between grades, not a measurement.
GradeGritRelative scratchTypical useMove on when
Very coarse40–60DeepestHeavy stock removal: levelling rough glue-ups, stripping old finish, shaping.As soon as the surface is flat or the defect is gone — these scratches take several grades to remove.
Coarse80DeepRemoving planer and mill marks, levelling joints and glue lines.When every machine mark is gone and the scratch pattern is even across the whole surface.
Medium100–120ModerateGeneral surface preparation; a usual starting point on stock that is already smooth.When the coarser scratches are gone — check under a raking light.
Fine150–180FineFinal preparation before many stains, oils and film finishes on hardwood.Often the stopping point. Going much finer can reduce how much stain some woods absorb.
Very fine220–240Very fineA last pass before some finishes; knocking down grain raised by water; light sanding of early coats.Bare wood rarely needs finer. Beyond this, grits are mostly for the finish itself.
Extra fine320–400FinestBetween finish coats: removing dust nibs and raised fibres from cured film.When the film is evenly dulled and smooth. Edges cut through quickly — go lightly there.
Where to stop depends on the finishCommon stopping points on bare wood — a guide, not a rule. Species, tool and finish all change the answer; test on an offcut.
FinishCommon final gritNote
Stain on hardwood150–180Finer can limit stain uptake; test on offcuts.
Oil and wiping finishes180–220The oil shows scratches readily; stay consistent across parts.
Film finishes on bare wood180–220Varnish, lacquer and shellac bridge fine scratches.
Water-based finishesFinal grit, then againRaise the grain with a damp cloth and knock it down at the final grit.
Between coats320–400Only once the coat has cured enough to powder, not gum.
  • Don't skip too farMoving up more than one grade at a time leaves scratches the next grit struggles to remove.
  • Check between gritsA raking light or a pencil scribble across the surface shows when the last grit's scratches are gone.
  • CAMI and P-gradesThe same number is not the same size: CAMI 320 is nearer P400 than P320. Compare by particle size — see the table below.
CAMI and FEPA (P) grades by particle sizeAverage particle size from Klingspor's grit system conversion chart. The two standards grade differently, so each CAMI grade is matched to the P-grade nearest in size — an approximate relationship, not an equivalence.
CAMI gritAverage size (µm)Nearest P-gradeAverage size (µm)
40428P40412
60268P60260
80192P80197
100141P120(not P100)127
120116P120127
15093P15097
18078P18078
22066P22065
24053.5P280(not P240)52.5
32036P400(not P320)35
36028.8P500(not P360)30.2
40023.6P800(not P400)21.8
50019.7P1000(not P500)18.3
60016P1200(not P600)15.3

What a grit number means

The number is a grade of abrasive particle size: the higher it is, the finer the particles and the shallower the scratches. Two systems are in common use. CAMI grades are printed as a plain number on US paper; FEPA grades carry a P — P120, P180 — and are used in Europe and on many discs and sheets sold in the US.

Up to about 220 the two run close together. Above that they part: CAMI 320 averages 36 µm, nearer P400 (35 µm) than P320 (46 µm). Check the letter on the back before swapping between them.

Choosing a sequence

Sanding bare wood for a finish

  1. Start as fine as the surface allows

    Planed or scraped wood rarely needs coarser than 120 or 150. Start at 80 only for saw marks, glue lines or levelling.

  2. Move up one grade at a time

    Each grit has to remove the scratches of the last. Skipping from 80 to 180 leaves scratches that show under finish.

  3. Check before moving on

    Scribble pencil across the surface and sand until it is gone, then look under a low, raking light.

  4. Stop where the finish needs

    Use the stopping-point table in the chart: around 150–180 under stain, 180–220 under oil or film finishes.

Worked example

A cherry tabletop comes off the planer with faint ripple marks, to be finished with oil. Start at 120 to remove the ripples, then 150 and 180, and stop at 180–220. If the next pack is European-graded, P120, P150 and P180 match closely, but a pack marked P320 is coarser than the CAMI 320 you may be used to.

A sharp card scraper can replace the coarse grits on figured wood that tears out. See how to use a card scraper.

Sources

Particle sizes are Klingspor’s published averages. CAMI (US) and FEPA (European, marked P) are separate standards with their own size distributions, so the matches are approximate. Grit uses and stopping points are workshop guidance, not a standard.

  1. 1.

    Coated Abrasives Grit Grading. Klingspor.

    Used for: Average particle sizes, in micrometres, of CAMI and FEPA (P) grits, from which each CAMI grade is matched to the nearest P-grade.

About this chart

Written by BenchRoot Editorial. How BenchRoot sources, checks and corrects its pages is set out in the Editorial Policy. If something here is wrong or unclear, the contact page explains how to tell us.

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