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Sandpaper grades identify abrasive particle-size classes within a particular grading system. In general, a higher number means smaller particles and finer sanding—but the number alone does not tell the whole story. For example, FEPA paper uses a P prefix, while CAMI grades are commonly shown without one, and the two systems do not make matching numbers interchangeable.
What a sandpaper grade tells you
A grade is a size classification for the abrasive particles on the paper. Within the same grading system, lower numbers generally indicate coarser abrasive for more aggressive material removal; higher numbers indicate finer abrasive for smoothing or refining a surface.
A grade is not a universal measurement that can be compared by number alone. The standard behind the label matters, so check whether the package identifies FEPA, CAMI, or another system before comparing products.
Why P400 and 400 grit are not necessarily the same
FEPA paper grades carry a P prefix, as in P180 or P400. CAMI grades are commonly printed as numbers without that prefix. Norton Abrasives’ technical chart lists FEPA P400 at 35 microns and CAMI 400 at 23.6 microns; in that same chart, CAMI 320 is 36 microns, close to FEPA P400. These charted particle sizes show why P400 and 400 should not be assumed equivalent. Norton Abrasives’ abrasive grain-size chart
#1 Best Overall
- Multi-Stage Sandpaper Assortment: This Shineboc 9x3.6 inch sandpaper pack includes 21 sheets with 7 grits (120/220/400/600/800/1000/2000), 3 sheets per grit, suitable for all sanding stages from rough to fine
- Premium Material: Crafted from high-quality silicon carbide, it is electrostatically coated to ensure an uniform distribution of grit. This results in long-lasting performance and high resistance to damage
- Wet and Dry Use: It can be utilized for both wet and dry sanding. Wet sanding helps reduce the occurrence of scratches and minimizes dust emissions, while dry sanding offers faster material removal and convenience
- Anti-Clogging: With excellent anti-clogging properties, it resists the accumulation of dust and debris. This guarantees a sharp cutting edge and less frequent replacement
- Tear-Resistant: A reinforced backing layer is incorporated, which prevents the sanding sheets from tearing under high pressure or when used on irregular surfaces
Other systems also appear in abrasive comparisons. Lee Valley’s chart includes FEPA P, FEPA F, JIS, ANSI, and CAMI, and notes that the scales diverge as grades become finer. FEPA P is the paper-grading scale; do not confuse it with other FEPA scales. Lee Valley’s grit charts
How to compare labels across systems
- Read the full grade. Note whether the package says P400, 400, or another grade with a system prefix or designation.
- Identify the grading system. If it is not clear on the package, check the manufacturer’s product information rather than treating a bare number as universal.
- Use a standard-specific conversion chart. A chart can show approximate particle-size correspondences between systems.
- Compare microns when available. Micron values express nominal particle size and can help explain why two grades with similar-looking numbers differ.
Conversion charts compare grading conventions; they do not guarantee that two products will sand identically. Product construction and abrasive format can also affect how a particular sheet works in a task or tool.
Rank #2
- [Boshcraft Sandpaper Assortment] The 1/4 sheet sandpaper is 4.5" x 5.5”, 8 sheets of each 80/150/320/400 grit 9 sheets of each 120/220 grit, you can distinguish sandpaper from coarse to fine by the grit number at a glance. Assorted sandpaper is excellent to sanding for hand/ block/ palm sander/machine.
- [2 × Longer Lasting] Highly abrasives sandpaper are made of premium aluminum oxide for a sharp cut and uniform finish, which is 2× longer lasting than conventional abrasive papers. These sand papers provide perfect sanding performance with lower cost, fewer sheets, and less waste.
- [Strong Adhesives and No Slip] Double adhesives of other ordinary sandpaper, easy on, no-slip, and convenient to replace. Firm sandpaper produce the perfect polishing effects.
- [Anti-Clogging Coating] Sandpaper with an additional no-clog coating which has the maximum resistance to clogging, anti-static ability, and not easy to drop the sand. Provide exceptional sanding performance to increase your productivity, reduce material consumption and save costs.
- [Widely used sandpaper] Coarse to fine sandpaper sheets are ideal for sanding on all types of surfaces. Use them for aggressive sanding on automotive paint,fillers. Removing scratches on metal, wood, paint, and wood furniture.
Choosing grades for construction and finishing work
Choose a grade according to the material, the job, and the finish you need. Coarser paper is generally useful for removing material or a defect; finer paper is generally used to smooth a surface or refine scratches. Start with the coarsest grade that will do the required work without removing more material than necessary, then progress so each finer grade removes the scratch pattern left by the previous one.
The Compel Group’s chart gives different recommendations for bare wood, hardwood, softwood, coatings, paint removal, and deburring. Its bare-wood example is P80, P120, then P180. That is an example sequence, not a universal prescription: the correct starting point and progression depend on the workpiece, task, and desired finish. Compel Group’s sandpaper grit chart
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Wide Variety of Grit - Perfect selection of different grits, Including 5 sheets of each grit: 400/ 600/ 800/ 1000/ 1200/ 1500/ 2000/ 2500/ 3000, total 45 sheets.
- Suits Your Needs Perfectly - Wet and dry sandpaper, great assortment of fine to superfine sandpaper, you can use fine grit sandpaper for fine woodworking, cleaning and polishing metal, sanding clay, wood furniture finishing, wood turning finishing, automotive jobs and more.
- Handy Sizes - Silicon carbide sandpaper size 9 x 3.6 inches, It can be easily cut and folded to fit any hand tool or work piece crevice.
- High Quality Sandpaper - Made of waterproof silicon carbide, electro coated, It works well dry and wet sanding. Each product we need to do 100% quality-check before shipping to ensure the paper not easily fall off when in use.
- Easy to Identify - Good variety of grits from coarse to smooth, so you have a good choice to fit any type of projects, the grit is on the back of sandpaper for easy identification.
Rank #4
- 【Abundant Grit Range】Includes 13 gradually graded grit sizes from coarse to fine. You can select the right grit for specific tasks, covering all stages from rough sanding to fine sanding. Truly an indispensable addition to your garage toolkit
- 【Adequate Quantity】Each grit size comes with four sheets, sufficient to handle wear during use. For standard small-scale sanding projects, one set generally completes the entire workflow without mid-task additional purchases
- 【Dry & Wet Compatibility】Low and medium grits work well for dry sanding with stable efficiency. For high grits, usually wet sanding is recommended to reduce dust and improve surface smoothness, ensuring both safety and quality results
- 【Considerate Packaging】Packaged in double-layer 0.16 mm resealable plastic bags, which is tough enough to protect the sheets from damage and to preserve their performance for repeated use over time
- 【Cost-Effective】The assortment provides a reasonable quantity of each grit. No overspending. A single purchase meets full workflow needs. Skip the hassle of hunting down individual grit sheets in the markets
Rank #3
- What You Get: This all-in-one sanding kit includes a compact micro sanding block and 180 sandpapers in 9 grits 80/120/180/220/320/400/600/800/1000
- 3-Color Grit System: Red (coarse), yellow (medium), grey (fine) – grab the right grit instantly, no more guessing
- Quick-Change Hook & Loop Backing: Tool-free backing lets you change sandpapers in seconds for uninterrupted work
- Ergonomic Mini Sander: Measuring just 3.5 x 1.1 inches, this compact PU foam hand sander glides effortlessly into corners and grooves. The lightweight ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue
- Premium Material: Made with durable aluminum oxide abrasive, these sandpapers resist tearing, clogging, and crumbling. Built to last on wood, metal, plastic, and painted surfaces
What to check before buying or sanding
- Label and standard: confirm the grading system, especially when comparing products from different manufacturers or regions.
- Task and material: distinguish stock removal, smoothing, coating preparation, paint removal, or deburring; a suitable grade for one may be too aggressive or too fine for another.
- Scratch pattern: move to the next grade only when the prior grade has done its job, and sand enough to remove its scratches.
- Format and tool fit: if using a sander or block, check that the abrasive’s dimensions and format suit the tool or hand-sanding setup.
- Desired finish: the finest grade is not automatically the right choice; use a progression suited to the finish and material.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
