Belt Sander Belt Sizes: Common Sizes Chart
Belt sander belt sizes are listed as width by length, and this guide charts the common sizes and the grit packs that fit them.
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36 Pcs 1/2" x 18" Sanding Belts Set9.6/10View on Amazon - 2
1/2x18 1/2 x 18 Inch Sanding Belt Pack 1/2-Inch x9.6/10View on Amazon - 3
15 Pcs 3 x 21 Inch Assorted Aluminum Oxide Sanding9.6/10View on Amazon - 4
54PCS Sanding Belts and Discs Combo Kit9.5/10View on Amazon
A belt sander only cuts well when the belt fits the machine: a belt that is too short or too long will not mount and tension, and a belt wider than the rollers will not fit. Belt sander belt sizes are listed as width by length, and the size your sander takes is printed on the old belt and in the sander manual.
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Below: the common sizes in a chart, how to read a belt size, how grit fits the job, and the belt packs that cover the sizes in the chart.
36 Pcs 1/2" x 18" Sanding Belts Set
A 36-piece set of 1/2 x 18 inch sanding belts in grits from 80 to 5000, with zirconia, alumina, silicon carbide and pyramid alumina abrasives.
Pros
- Grits from 80 to 5000 cover sanding through polishing in the same set
- Zirconia, alumina, silicon carbide and pyramid alumina abrasives by grit band
- Flat, smooth joint with dual-directional tape
- Fits air and electric belt sanders that take 1/2 x 18 belts
Cons
- Only fits sanders that take 1/2 x 18 belts
- No grit coarser than 80 for heavy stock removal
- No warranty term is stated
- A 36-piece set takes more shelf space
1/2x18 1/2 x 18 Inch Sanding Belt Pack 1/2-Inch x
A 60-piece pack of 1/2 x 18 inch aluminum oxide sanding belts in 40, 60, 80, 120, 150 and 240 grits, 10 of each grit, with a diagonal lap splice.
Pros
- 60 pieces, 10 of each grit, for many jobs
- Grits from 40 to 240 cover stock removal through smoothing
- Aluminum oxide grain with an additive in the resin to resist loading
- Diagonal lap splice with a firm belt interface
Cons
- Only fits sanders that take 1/2 x 18 belts
- No grit finer than 240 for fine finishing or polishing
- Aluminum oxide only, with no zirconia coarse option
- No warranty term is stated
15 Pcs 3 x 21 Inch Assorted Aluminum Oxide Sanding
A 15-piece pack of 3 x 21 inch aluminum oxide sanding belts in 80, 120, 150, 240 and 400 grits, 3 of each grit, with open coat technology.
Pros
- 3 x 21 inch belts fit the wide-belt size in the chart
- Grits from 80 to 400 cover smoothing through fine finishing
- Open coat, antistatic and washable, with an additive to resist loading
- Aluminum oxide grain for wood, aluminum, non-ferrous metal, glass, plastic and stone
Cons
- Only fits sanders that take 3 x 21 belts
- No grit coarser than 80 for heavy stock removal
- Only 3 belts of each grit
- 400 grit is the finest grit, so polishing needs a finer belt
54PCS Sanding Belts and Discs Combo Kit
A 54-piece combo kit with 18 1x30 sanding belts and 36 5 inch PSA sanding discs in assorted grits, in aluminum oxide.
Pros
- Belts and discs in the same kit: 18 belts and 36 discs
- Listed as compatible with most standard 1x30 belt sanders and 5 inch disc sanders
- Aluminum oxide abrasive with heat resistant backing
- 54 pieces cover sanding, shaping, smoothing, deburring and finishing
Cons
- Only 18 of the 54 pieces are belts; the other 36 are discs
- The discs need a 5 inch disc sander
- No grit breakdown is given, so grits cannot be picked by number
- Only fits sanders that take 1x30 belts
Belt sander belt sizes: the common sizes chart
The chart lists the sizes the packs in this guide come in, with grits and pack counts.
| Belt size | Pack | Grits | Uses the maker lists |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1/2 x 18 | 60 pieces, 10 each grit | 40, 60, 80, 120, 150, 240 | Wood, aluminum, non-ferrous metal, glass, plastic, stone |
| 1×30 | 18 belts and 36 discs | Assorted | Woodworking, metalworking, automotive refinishing, rust removal, surface prep, finishing |
| 3 x 21 | 15 pieces, 3 each grit | 80, 120, 150, 240, 400 | Wood, aluminum, non-ferrous metal, glass, plastic, stone; polishing, grinding, finishing |
| 1/2 x 18 | 36 pieces, 4 each grit | 80, 120, 240, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 2500, 5000 | Woodworking, plastics, fiberglass, metal polishing, derusting, deburring, sharpening |
Width comes before length in every size here. The size on the old belt or in the sander manual is the size to order, and a belt in any other size will not fit that sander.
How to read a belt sander belt size
A belt size is a width and a length, joined by an x: the width is the measurement across the belt, and the length is the measurement around the loop. Read the size from the print on the old belt or the sander manual, and order that exact size.
How grit fits the job
Grit is the coarseness of the abrasive on the belt: low grit numbers cut fast and leave a rough surface, and high grit numbers cut slow and leave a smooth surface. Start coarse to remove stock, then move through finer grits to smooth it.
The TPmax pack runs from 40 to 240 grit, the abrasticle pack from 80 to 400 grit, and the MOVIRON pack from 80 to 5000 grit. In the MOVIRON set, zirconia is for the coarse grits, alumina for the medium grits, silicon carbide for the fine grit, and pyramid alumina for polishing. The makiwork kit pairs 1×30 belts with 5 inch discs in assorted grits.
Read the manual before first use, wear eye protection, keep the work area clear and ventilated, and stay within every stated rating. Read our Safety Disclaimer.
Sanding belt packs for the common belt sizes
Each pack below covers a size in the chart above: pick the pack that matches the size your sander takes and the grit the job needs.
FAQ: garage tools
What size belt does a belt sander take?
The size the sander takes, printed on the old belt and listed in the sander manual.
What do the numbers in a belt sander belt size mean?
The width comes before the x and the length comes after it: a 1/2 x 18 belt measures 1/2 inch across and 18 inches around the loop, and a 3 x 21 belt measures 3 inches across and 21 inches around the loop.
Which grit starts the job when sanding wood?
Start coarse to remove stock, then move finer to smooth the surface. For wood, the packs here run from 40 grit for stock removal through 120, 150 and 240 grit for smoothing, up to 400 grit for fine finishing. The MOVIRON set also holds 600, 800 and 1000 grit belts for finer work, and 2500 and 5000 grit belts for polishing.
Can a 1/2 x 18 belt run on a 1×30 sander?
No. A belt must match the size the sander takes, so a 1/2 x 18 belt will not fit a sander that takes 1×30 belts.
What is the difference between zirconia, alumina and silicon carbide belts?
In the MOVIRON set, the coarse 80, 120 and 240 grits are zirconia, the medium 400, 600 and 800 grits are alumina, the fine 1000 grit is silicon carbide, and the polishing 2500 and 5000 grits are pyramid alumina.
Related: sandpaper grit chart, best sanding belt for metal, sanding belt vs sanding disc comparison and belt sander vs DA sander guide.
