120 vs 220 Grit Sanding Discs: Which One Should You Buy?

120 vs 220 grit sanding discs: pick 120 when the job still needs shaping, leveling or feathering, and pick 220 when the surface is already shaped and you want a finer finish before the next step. Both grits sit in the same polishing range one listing in this guide describes, so the choice is about how much material still needs to come off, not about switching to a different kind of disc.

Other tools worth a look

• EZARC Zirconia Flap Discs 120 GritCheck price on Amazon
• Aiyard 5-Inch 8-Hole Hook and Loop Sanding Discs 120-GritCheck price on Amazon
• S SATC 100 PCS PSA Sanding Discs 6 Inch Adhesive BackedCheck price on Amazon
• Keeimp 100 Pcs 5 Inch Sanding Discs Hook and LoopCheck price on Amazon
• 100PCS 5 Inch PSA Sanding Discs 120 GritCheck price on Amazon
• ZEHIQ 5 Inch 120 Grit Sanding DiscsCheck price on Amazon

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Below: what the grit numbers mean, when each grit fits, the discs listed in this guide, and answers to the questions that come up most.

120 vs 220 grit sanding discs: what the numbers mean

One listing in this guide groups grits into bands, and that grouping is the simplest way to read the two numbers:

120 and 220 both fall in the middle band, with 220 above 120, so 220 is the finer of the two. A lower number in the same band still cuts more material, while a higher number in the same band leaves a smoother surface. That is why the step from 120 to 220 is a finishing step inside one range, not a change of approach.

When to use 120 grit

Use 120 grit while the surface still needs work. The listings in this guide tie 120 grit discs to shaping, blending, beveling, deburring, rust removal, stock removal, and feather edging, across metal, wood, body filler and plastic. At the lower end of the polishing band, 120 grit still takes material off at a useful rate while leaving a surface that a finer grit can finish. For a panel that needs leveling, an edge that needs feathering, or a weld seam that needs blending, 120 grit is the working grit.

When to use 220 grit

Use 220 grit after the shaping is done, when the surface is already level and the next step needs a smoother surface. Because 220 sits higher in the same polishing band as 120, it removes less material and refines what 120 grit left behind. None of the four listings in this guide is a 220 grit disc, so check the disc you buy is actually graded 220, and check its size and backing against your sander before starting.

The discs in this guide

POTUINOM 120 grit sanding discs, 5 inch

The POTUINOM listing is a set of 100 discs, 5 inch, 8 hole, with a hook-and-loop back for random orbital sanders. The listing states aluminum oxide abrasive, for smoothing, sanding and polishing metal, car and wood surfaces, with the 8 holes removing dust during sanding. It is the general-purpose pick in this guide: a large pack, a common orbital size, and a backing the listing describes as suitable for most 5 inch random orbital sanders.

S SATC 120 grit sanding discs, 6 inch

The S SATC listing is a set of 100 discs, 6 inch, with an adhesive PSA back, for use as a sander attachment for a drill. The listing states aluminum oxide abrasive, for shaping plastic, body filler, feather edging, metal sanding and woodworking. It is the body-work pick in this guide, because feather edging and body filler are named uses, and the larger 6 inch size covers a panel faster than a smaller disc.

3M Xtract Net Disc 710W, 120+

The 3M listing is a pack of 50 discs, 5 inch, graded 120+, with a hook-and-loop back and a net backing for random orbital sanders and hand sanding. The listing states that the net backing allows extraction of up to 99% of dust produced, and names woodworking, composite sanding, metal fabrication, primer sanding and gelcoat sanding as uses. It is the dust-control pick in this guide, for a reader who wants the work area kept cleaner while sanding.

EZARC zirconia flap discs, 120 grit

The EZARC listing is a 10-pack of flap discs, 4-1/2 inch with a 7/8 inch arbor, Type 29, for an angle grinder. The listing states zirconia abrasive, for blending, beveling, deburring, rust removal and finishing, with a working angle of 15 to 20 degrees and a stated maximum of 13, 300 RPM. It is the angle-grinder pick in this guide, for edges, corners and welded seams rather than flat orbital work.

Sanding makes dust, and the listings here point to dust extraction: the 8 hole discs and the net-backed disc are both described with dust removal in mind. Use the extraction your sander and disc provide, keep the work area clear, and check the disc maximum speed against your grinder before fitting a flap disc. Follow your sander manual for disc changes and backing-pad fit.

FAQ: garage tools

Can I use 120 grit for a final finish?

120 grit sits at the lower end of the polishing band, so it usually leaves a surface ready for a finer step, though whether it counts as a final finish depends on the job and the finish that follows. For a finer finish, step up within the same band to 220 grit.

Can I go straight from 120 to 220 grit?

Yes, in band terms: both grits sit in the 120 to 320 band, so the move is a finer step inside one range, not a jump to a different band. Check the surface between steps, and repeat the finer step until the scratches from the coarser step are gone.

Will these discs fit my sander?

Check size and backing against your sander: 5 inch hook-and-loop discs for random orbital sanders, 6 inch adhesive PSA discs for a drill attachment, and 4-1/2 inch flap discs with a 7/8 inch arbor for an angle grinder. The 8 hole pattern on the POTUINOM discs also needs a matching pad for dust extraction to work as described.

What is the difference between hook-and-loop and PSA discs?

Hook-and-loop discs, like the POTUINOM and 3M listings here, fasten to a matching pad and come off for quick changes, which the 3M listing states as quick and easy disc changes. PSA discs, like the S SATC listing here, have an adhesive back that sticks to the pad. Pick the backing your sander pad is made for.

Which disc here is for body filler and feather edging?

The S SATC listing names shaping, body filler, feather edging, metal sanding and woodworking as uses for its 6 inch adhesive discs. For flat panel work with an orbital sander, the 5 inch hook-and-loop discs in this guide cover smoothing and polishing instead.

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