Exploring American vs European Sandpaper Standards
So, the imperial and metric systems are not the only differences between American and Europe. The differences also extend to sandpaper standards. There are American vs European sandpaper standards.
If you’ve ever felt puzzled by the sandpaper grit someone else used online or the suggested grits for a woodworking job, know that you’re not the only one. This confusion can occur depending on where the individual works out of and the system of sandpaper they use.
The different standards for measuring and labelling sandpaper grits in America and Europe can vary, leading to confusion and potential mistakes when working with different grit sizes.
So, let’s dive in.
The CAMI (American) Standard
The CAMI (Coated Abrasive Manufacturers Institute) standard is the grading system used for sandpaper in the United States and some other regions.
The numbers on CAMI sandpaper (80, 120, 220, etc.) represent the number of abrasive particles per square inch of sandpaper. The higher the number, the finer the sandpaper. So, an 80-grit CAMI sandpaper is rougher than a 220-grit CAMI sandpaper.
Most major U.S. sandpaper brands like 3M, Norton, and Gator follow the CAMI grading.
The FEPA (European) Standard
The European standard for sandpaper grit sizing FEPA, the Federation of European Producers of Abrasives. FEPA is a European organization that develops standards for the abrasives industry, including the widely used grit sizing system for sandpaper and other abrasives.
Unlike the American CAMI system, the FEPA scale is consistent across different abrasive materials, such as sandpaper, stones, and powders. This consistency makes comparing and using different abrasive products within the FEPA system easier.
Key Differences Between the Two Systems
The key difference between the CAMI (American) and FEPA (European) sandpaper grit standards is how the finer grit sizes are defined.
For example, CAMI 320 grit is equivalent to FEPA P400, and CAMI 600 grit corresponds to FEPA P1000. A FEPA P1000 sandpaper is much finer than a CAMI 1000 grit paper. The discrepancy grows as the grits get finer, with FEPA grits progressively finer than their CAMI counterparts.
When refinishing, you tend to use 80 through 320 grit sandpaper. The sandpapers vary slightly but less widely in this range than with higher grits.
Sandpaper Grit Sizes Comparison Chart
The coarser grits between the two standards are very similar; however, you will start to notice the difference as you increase the grit and go finer.
If you want a comparison chart and additional information about FEPA and CAMI Sandpaper grits, consider visiting the Wood Bin.
Identifying Which Standard Your Sandpaper Uses
It’s easy to determine whether your sandpaper follows the CAMI (American) or FEPA (European) standard; the first clue is often the region or brand. Most sandpaper made and sold in the United States adheres to the CAMI system. At the same time, European brands tend to use the FEPA grading. For example, Festool’s popular German brand uses the FEPA standard across its sandpaper lineup.
Another simpler method to identify the two types of sandpaper is to look for a “P” listed prior to the sandpaper grit. For example, P120, P180 and P240 are FEPA. CAMI simply uses the grit number without a “P.”
When in doubt, consult the manufacturer’s documentation or website for details on which sandpaper grading system they adhere to. Many will specify “CAMI” or “FEPA” to clarify the standard used for their products.
Adjusting Between the Two Standards
Stick to the same standard when using sandpaper from different systems for a project to ensure consistent scratch patterns. Combining different standards can create inconsistent scratch patterns. So, if you mix brands or types, carefully check the outcome and adjust to prevent rough scratches.
Thankfully, while the grit is slightly different, it’s not widely different between 80 and 320 grit in the two systems. You will rarely go outside of this range of sandpaper for refinishing furniture.
Let’s consider the following example; you live in America and use a Festool Sander with FEPA sandpaper, identified with a P. Then you switch to hand sanding with CAMI standard sandpaper you bought from the local hardware store. The grit switch may not provide the results you expected, and this is due to the difference in the grit between the two different standards.
Understanding that you are switching between two different standards will help you to ensure that you pick the correct grit to use next.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the distinctions between the CAMI and FEPA sandpaper grit standards is important for woodworkers and refinishers to achieve their desired finish, especially when using products from different regions.
When sanding you need to watch for pigtails and other signs that your sanding is not going as planned. Review how to sand veneer and sanding tools to improve your sanding skills.
