Sandpaper Grit Guide: Which to Use When
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Sandpaper grit numbers tell you how coarse or fine the abrasive is. Lower numbers remove material fast but leave scratches. Higher numbers smooth surfaces but remove almost nothing. Skipping grits costs more time than it saves because each grit removes the scratches left by the previous one. This page covers grits, abrasive types, and what form factors fit which tools.
When to Replace
When the paper stops cutting and starts polishing, it is loaded or worn. Sanding dust clogging the surface (loading) is the usual failure mode on wood. Tapping the paper or using a crepe rubber cleaning stick can extend life, but once the grit is gone, the grit is gone. On random-orbit sanders, torn or shredded discs need replacing before they damage the pad.
Types Overview
Aluminum oxide
Wood and painted surfaces. The default sandpaper for woodworking.
$5-15 per packSilicon carbide
Wet sanding, metal finishing, and automotive work. Used with water or oil.
$6-18 per packCeramic
Aggressive stock removal on hardwood and metal. Lasts 3-5x longer than aluminum oxide.
$10-25 per packZirconia alumina
Belt sanders and heavy grinding. Self-sharpening grain for long belt life.
$8-20 per packHook-and-loop discs (5")
Random-orbit sanders. Quick changes, reusable if not torn.
$8-20 per packSheet sandpaper (9x11")
Hand sanding, sanding blocks, and quarter-sheet sanders.
$5-12 per packBuying Tips
- Work in grit progression: 80 for shaping, 120 for smoothing, 150 for pre-finish, 220 for between coats. Jumping from 80 to 220 leaves visible scratches under stain.
- Buy name-brand abrasives. Cheap sandpaper sheds grit, loads fast, and tears easily. The extra dollar per pack saves hours of frustration.
- Stearated (anti-clog) sandpaper lasts longer on softwoods and finishes that gum up conventional paper.
- For random-orbit sanders, always use the correct hole pattern for dust extraction. Mismatched holes block your sander dust port and the paper loads up fast.
Top Picks
Gold Disc Assortment 5"
Random-orbit sanding on wood with dust extraction
Blaze Ceramic Discs 5"
Aggressive hardwood sanding that outlasts standard paper
Multi-Surface Sheet Pack
Hand sanding with stearated anti-clog coating
Wetordry 220/400/600 Sheets
Wet sanding finishes between coats
Borrow or Buy?
Sandpaper is a consumable. You cannot borrow someone else's half-used sheets. It costs a few dollars per pack and wears out with every use.
Common Questions
What grit should I use before staining wood?
Sand to 150 or 180 grit before staining. Going finer than 180 actually closes the wood pores and can cause blotchy stain absorption. Sand to 220 only between finish coats, not before stain.
Is higher grit always better?
No. Higher grit is smoother but removes almost no material. If you need to remove paint or shape wood, start at 60-80. If you are smoothing between coats of polyurethane, 220-320 is right. Each grit has a job.
What is the difference between wet and dry sandpaper?
Wet/dry sandpaper (silicon carbide) uses water or oil as a lubricant. The liquid flushes away sanding debris, prevents loading, and produces a finer finish. Standard aluminum oxide paper falls apart when wet.