Sanding Grit Progression Calculator
Skipping too many grit levels leaves visible scratches; using every single grit wastes time. Enter your starting and target grit to get a smart step-by-step progression.
Number of Sanding Steps
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Starting Grit—
Target Grit—
Total Steps—
Estimated Total Sanding Time (min)—
About this calculator
Generate a step-by-step sandpaper grit progression from your starting grit to your target finish grit, with the number of steps and estimated time per stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I jump between grits?
A common rule of thumb is not to more than double the grit number per step, e.g., 80 to 150 to 220, to avoid leaving deep scratches that are hard to remove.
Do I need every grit in between?
No, well-chosen jumps (roughly 1.5x to 2x the previous grit) are usually enough for a smooth final finish without wasting sandpaper.
Does surface area affect the grit sequence?
Surface area doesn't change which grits you use, but it does affect how long each sanding stage takes, which this calculator estimates.