Home Calculators Sandpaper Grit

Sandpaper Grit Selector

Select your material and the finish you want. We'll give you the recommended grit sequence to get there efficiently.

1 What are you sanding?

Bare Wood
Timber, MDF, plywood
Painted Wood
Between coats / prep
Metal
Steel, aluminium
Plaster / Drywall
Walls and ceilings
Plastic / Fibreglass
PVC, GRP, acrylic
Concrete Floor
Polishing slabs

2 What finish do you want?

Ready to paint / prime
Smooth enough for primer or topcoat adhesion
Smooth tactile finish
No visible scratches, feels smooth to touch
Mirror / glass finish
Highly reflective, polished surface
Remove material / rust / paint
Stripping, shaping, heavy stock removal

Recommended Grit Sequence

Select options to see your recommended grit sequence.

Sandpaper Grit Reference Chart

Grit Range Category Best For Result
P40 – P60Extra CoarseHeavy material removal, stripping paint, shapingVery rough surface
P80 – P100CoarseRemoving old finish, heavy sanding, first pass on rough woodRough surface, visible scratches
P120 – P150MediumGeneral sanding, prep before primer, removing mill marksSmooth with fine scratches
P180 – P220FinePre-paint sanding, between coats, wood finishingSmooth, ready for paint
P240 – P320Very FineFinal sanding before topcoat, metal finishingVery smooth, minimal marks
P400 – P600Ultra FineWet sanding, between paint coats, metal polishingNear scratch-free surface
P800 – P1200Micro FineAutomotive wet sanding, polishing compound prepScratch-free, satin finish
P1500 – P3000PolishingMirror polish preparation, clear coat finishingMirror / glass finish

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