Sandpaper Grit Guide

Choosing the right grit sandpaper depends on the job, the surface, and the finish you want. Start coarse for heavy removal and move finer for smoother results.

View Grit Chart
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What Grit Should I Use?

Heavy Removal

If you need to remove material fast...

Start with a lower grit.

Smooth Finish

If you want a smoother finish...

Move to a higher grit.

"A simple rule is to start coarse and work your way finer until you reach the surface quality you want."

What Grit Should I Use?

Use this grit chart to compare coarse, medium, fine, and ultra-fine sanding steps.

Grit Range

Best For

Result

40–60

Heavy removal, rough shaping, stripping paint or varnish

Very aggressive

60–80

Rough sanding, leveling uneven areas, removing deep marks

Aggressive

100–120

General sanding, initial prep, removing lighter scratches

Balanced cut

240–320

Fine finishing, blending edges, sanding sealer, pre-finish prep

Smooth finish

400–600

Between coats, final sanding before paint or stain, clear coat prep

Very smooth

800–1200

Ultra-fine finishing, wet sanding, polishing prep

Extra smooth

1500–2000

Final polishing prep, delicate finishing, scratch refinement

Ultra-smooth

How to Choose the Right Grit Sandpaper

The best way to choose grit is to match the sanding stage to the surface condition and the finish you want.

Coarse Grit: 40–80

Use coarse grit for heavy sanding jobs such as paint stripping, rough shaping, leveling high spots, removing rust, and flattening uneven surfaces.

Use coarse grit for heavy sanding jobs such as paint stripping, rough shaping, leveling high spots, removing rust, and flattening uneven surfaces.

Common Uses

  • Removing old paint or varnish
  • Leveling rough lumber
  • Shaping body filler
  • Removing rust and oxidation
  • Flattening uneven areas

Medium Grit: 100–180

Use medium grit for general sanding, smoothing tool marks, preparing bare wood, and getting surfaces ready for primer or further finishing.

This range is one of the most useful for everyday sanding tasks.

Common Uses

  • Smoothing saw marks
  • Preparing bare wood
  • Leveling patch repairs
  • Primer prep
  • General sanding between stages

Fine Grit: 240–600

Use fine grit for smoothing surfaces before paint, stain, or varnish. It is also a good choice for sanding sealer, blending edges, and sanding between coats.

If you want a clean, smooth surface without deep scratches, this is the range to choose.

Common Uses

  • Pre-finish sanding
  • Sanding sealer
  • Blending edges
  • Sanding between coats
  • Final surface prep before paint or stain

Ultra-Fine Grit: 800–2000

Use ultra-fine grit for delicate finishing, wet sanding, scratch refinement, and polishing prep.

This range is ideal when the surface is already smooth and you want the final finish to look cleaner and more refined.

Common Uses

  • Wet sanding
  • Scratch refinement
  • Final polishing prep
  • Delicate finishing
  • Ultra-smooth surface prep

What Grit Sandpaper to Use by Project

Different projects need different grit ranges. Here’s a simple way to choose based on the job.

Woodworking

For woodworking, start with a lower grit if the surface is rough or uneven, then move to a medium grit for general sanding.

Common Uses

Rough wood

60–80 grit

General sanding

100–180 grit

Fine finishing

240–400 grit

Between coats

400–600 grit

Common Uses

  • Removing mill marks
  • Smoothing edges
  • Preparing bare wood
  • Sanding between coats

Auto Body

For auto body work, use coarser grit for filler sanding and shaping, then move to medium grit for primer prep.

Common Uses

Filler sanding

80–120 grit

Primer prep

180–240 grit

Paint prep

240–400 grit

Final smoothing

400–600 grit

Common Uses

  • Sanding body filler
  • Removing shallow scratches
  • Shaping repairs
  • Preparing primer

Metalworking

For metalworking, choose a grit based on how much material you need to remove and how smooth you want it.

Common Uses

Heavy prep

40–80 grit

General prep

100–180 grit

Fine smoothing

240–400 grit

Common Uses

  • Removing rust
  • Deburring edges
  • Surface cleaning
  • Light smoothing

DIY & Home

For DIY sanding, a medium grit is often the best starting point, then move finer depending on the finish.

Common Uses

Basic prep

100–180 grit

Surface smoothing

240–400 grit

Final finish

400–600 grit

Common Uses

  • Paint prep
  • Wall patch smoothing
  • Furniture touch-up
  • General home sanding

Which Sanding Disc Type Should You Choose

Once you know your grit range, choose the disc type that fits your sanding job best.

Film Sanding Discs

Best for smooth finishing, scratch-free results, and consistent surface quality.

If you want a clean, smooth surface without deep scratches, this is the range to choose.

Shop Film Discs

Ceramic Sanding Discs

Best for aggressive cutting, heavy material removal, and long service life.

If you want a clean, smooth surface without deep scratches, this is the range to choose.

Shop Ceramic Discs

Mesh Sanding Discs

Best for dust extraction, reduced clogging, and cleaner sanding.

Use mesh discs when dust control and non-clogging performance are especially important.

Shop Mesh Discs

Will These Fit My Sander?

Our sanding discs are designed for most 5-inch and 6-inch random orbital sanders. For the best fit and dust collection, make sure the disc size, hole pattern, and backing type match your sander.

Size

Available in 5-inch or 6-inch diameters to match your sander's pad.

Hole Pattern

Match the holes on your backing pad for efficient dust extraction.

Backing Type

Universal hook & loop pad compatibility for quick changes.

View Compatibility Guide

Need to Try More Than One Grit?

If you are not sure which grit to choose, start with a mixed grit option where available. It lets you test multiple sanding steps before buying full 50-pack boxes.

Shop 50-Pack Options

Frequently Asked Questions

What grit sandpaper should I start with?

Start with a lower grit (coarse) to remove material quickly. Move to a higher grit (fine) when you want a smoother finish.

What is the difference between coarse and fine grit?

Coarse grit (40-80) removes material faster and leaves a rougher surface. Fine grit (240+) removes less material and creates a smoother finish.

What grit sandpaper is best for wood finishing?

For wood finishing, 240–400 grit is commonly used before applying stain, paint, or varnish for a professional feel.

What grit should I use before painting?

Use 100–180 grit for general surface preparation, followed by 240–320 grit if you want an ultra-smooth base.

What grit sandpaper is best for auto body work?

For auto body work, 80–120 grit is used for filler sanding, while 180–240 grit is typical for primer preparation.

What grit is best for metal?

For metal, start with 40–80 grit for heavy preparation or rust removal, then move to finer grit (120-400) for smoothing.

Do you offer mixed grit options?

Yes! Where available, mixed grit options can be selected directly on the product page, perfect for small projects or first-time users.