Why do grit systems differ?
Grit numbers belong to grading systems and cannot be converted by a single multiplication factor. Compare the published average particle sizes instead. The Zische table identifies JIS R6001 Japan 1973; this tool uses its microgrit series and does not claim current-standard compliance. CAMI stays separate from ANSI because the reachable tables distinguish them.
What is the nearest published particle size?
Select a recorded grade, or enter a particle size in microns, to find the nearest listed size in each other system. The result is approximate: it does not equate the abrasive’s shape, bond, finish or cutting rate. Values outside a target series stay outside its published range; the tool does not extrapolate.
Reference example: JIS microgrit 1000 is listed as 16 µm in the cited Zische table.
| System | Grade | Published average size (µm) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FEPA-F | 5 | 4125 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 6 | 3460 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 7 | 2900 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 8 | 2460 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 10 | 2085 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 12 | 1815 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 12 | 1765 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 14 | 1470 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 16 | 1324 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 16 | 1230 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 20 | 1000 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 20 | 1040 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 22 | 885 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 24 | 764 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 24 | 745 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 30 | 642 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 30 | 625 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 36 | 538 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 36 | 525 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 40 | 425 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 40 | 438 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 46 | 370 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 50 | 336 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 54 | 310 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 60 | 269 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 60 | 260 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 70 | 218 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 80 | 201 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 80 | 185 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 100 | 162 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 90 | 154 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 120 | 125 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 100 | 129 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 100 | 125 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 120 | 109 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 150 | 100 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 180 | 82 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 150 | 82 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 150 | 80 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 220 | 68 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 180 | 69 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 180 | 70 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 220 | 58 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 220 | 58 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 240 | 80 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 280 | 68 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 240 | 58.5 ± 2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 320 | 57 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 280 | 52.2 ± 2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 230 | 53 ± 3 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 240 | 51 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 320 | 46.2 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 360 | 48 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 240 | 44.5 ± 2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 360 | 40.5 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 400 | 40 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 280 | 41,5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 400 | 35.0 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 280 | 36.5 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 500 | 34 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 320 | 33 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 500 | 30.2 ±1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 320 | 29.2 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 600 | 29 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 360 | 28 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 600 | 25.8 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 800 | 21.8 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 360 | 22.8 ± 1.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 700 | 24 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 400 | 22,5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 1000 | 18.3 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 800 | 20 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 400 | 17.3 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 1000 | 16 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 500 | 18 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 1200 | 15.3 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 600 | 14 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 1500 | 12.6 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 500 | 12.8 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 1200 | 13 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 2000 | 10.3 ± 0.8 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 800 | 12 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 600 | 9.3 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 1500 | 10 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 2500 | 8.4 ± 0.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 2000 | 8 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 1000 | 7,8 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 3000 | 7 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-P | 5000 | 5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 800 | 6.5 ± 1 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 1000 | 4.5 ± 0.8 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 3000 | 5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| ANSI | 1200 | 5,5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 1200 | 3.0 ± 0.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 4000 | 3 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 1500 | 2.0 ± 0.4 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 6000 | 2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| FEPA-F | 2000 | 1.2 ± 0.3 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| JIS R6001:1973 micro | 8000 | 1,2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 120 | 120 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 220 | 60 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 325 | 45 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 600 | 25 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 1200 | 9 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| DMT mesh | 8000 | 3 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 12 | 1842 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 16 | 1320 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 20 | 905 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 24 | 715 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 30 | 638 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 36 | 535 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 40 | 428 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 50 | 351 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 60 | 268 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 80 | 192 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 100 | 141 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 120 | 116 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 150 | 93 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 180 | 78 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 220 | 66 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 240 | 53.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 280 | 44 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 320 | 36 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 360 | 28.8 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 400 | 23.6 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 500 | 19.7 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 600 | 16 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 800 | 12.2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 1000 | 9.2 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
| CAMI | 1200 | 6.5 | Published table source; checked 2026-11-04 |
What is each grit used for?
Use the abrasive maker’s guidance for the particular product series. A size match across systems does not transfer every use claim. The DMT table below keeps its maker use descriptions beside its mesh grades. Norton’s waterstone guidance separately assigns repair, initial sharpening, finishing and polishing roles; those labels are not a conversion formula.
| Maker series | Grade | Maker use |
|---|---|---|
| DMT Extra extra coarse | 120 | Heavy material removal |
| DMT Extra coarse | 220 | Re-form a bevel |
| DMT Coarse | 325 | Restore a dull edge before refinement |
| DMT Fine | 600 | Everyday edge restoration |
| DMT Extra fine | 1200 | Polish an edge |
| DMT Extra extra fine | 8000 | Further edge refinement |
DMT sharpening guide; checked 2026-11-04. Norton waterstone guidance; checked 2026-11-04.
Questions and answers
These answers explain the scope of this reference. Check the linked maker instructions for the exact knife or abrasive.
What grit whetstone should I start with?
Choose the maker’s abrasive for the edge condition and task. A repair abrasive and a finishing abrasive serve different purposes, so the converter does not prescribe one starting grit.
Is 1000 grit okay for a Japanese knife?
The number alone is incomplete without its system or product series. Norton assigns its own 1000 waterstone to the initial cut; check your knife and stone instructions before applying that guidance.
What is a 400 grit whetstone for?
Find the maker and series first. FEPA-F, FEPA-P and JIS use different particle sizes for similar numbers, so this reference does not give an unsupported universal use for “400.”