P2500 sandpaper
8.4 µm grain
P2500 (FEPA) · about 1500 grit (CAMI) · 0.008 mm average particle
What P2500 is for
The fine end of what is generally sold. Used on lacquer and plastics before a final polish.
The two scales
| FEPA (European) | P2500 |
| CAMI (American) | about 1500 |
| Average grain | 8.4 µm |
| Scales agree here? | No — P2500 is about 67% coarser than a CAMI 2500 |
A packet marked 2500 in the United States is finer than one marked P2500 in Europe. The P prefix is the tell, and it is easy to miss on a label — which is why a finishing schedule copied from an American source and followed with European paper comes out coarser than intended at every step.
Nearby grits
| FEPA | CAMI | Grain | Typically |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1200 | 800 | 15.3 µm | Removing orange peel from paint |
| P1500 | 1000 | 12.6 µm | Final wet sanding before machine polishing on automotive paint |
| P2000 | 1200 | 10.3 µm | Refining a polished surface |
| P2500 | 1500 | 8.4 µm | The fine end of what is generally sold |
Frequently asked questions
Is P2500 the same as 2500 grit?
No. P2500 is roughly CAMI 1500 — the American 2500 grit is finer than the European P2500. The two scales agree up to about 180 and separate above it, so at this end a packet marked 2500 and a packet marked P2500 are genuinely different papers.
What grain size is P2500?
An average grain of 8.4 µm — 0.008 mm. That figure is what the P number is defined by, which is why it is the reliable way to compare across scales.
What is P2500 used for?
The fine end of what is generally sold. Used on lacquer and plastics before a final polish.
Is P2500 at the end of the range?
This is the finest grit generally stocked.