Sandpaper Grit Chart
This sandpaper grit chart lays out which grit to use and in what order — from 40-grit stripping to 600-grit polishing. The short version: start no coarser than you must, never skip more than one grit step, stop at 180 on softwoods and 220 on hardwoods before finishing, and save 320 and up for between coats. Print it, tape it above the sander.
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The one rule that matters
Each grit exists to erase the scratches of the grit before it. Skipping from 80 straight to 220 does not save time — the 220 paper spends its life failing to remove 80-grit scratches that then telegraph through your stain. Step through 80, 120, 180 (and 220 on hardwoods) and each pass takes minutes. Stain looking blotchy anyway? On pine and poplar that is usually the wood, not your sanding — our finish guide covers conditioners and what we actually use in the shop.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What grit sandpaper should I use first?
On surfaced lumber start at 120; on rough or damaged wood start at 80. Only drop to 40-60 for stripping finishes or heavy shaping - coarse grits leave deep scratches that take real work to remove.
What grit should I sand to before staining?
Stop at 180 for softwoods like pine and 220 for hardwoods. Sanding finer than 220 before stain burnishes the surface and blocks absorption, leaving the color lighter and uneven.
Can I skip grits when sanding?
Skip at most one step. Each grit removes the previous grit's scratches; a big jump forces the fine paper to do a coarse paper's job and the scratches show under finish.
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