Nail file grit describes how coarse or fine the surface of a nail file is. The grit number tells you how many abrasive particles are in a small area of the file.
A lower grit number means the file is coarser and removes material more quickly. A higher number means the file is finer and gives you a smoother finish.
What Do Nail File Grit Numbers Mean?
Common nail file grit numbers include:
- 80–100 grit: Very coarse and mainly used for shortening or shaping acrylic and other artificial nail enhancements
- 150–180 grit: Medium grit used for shaping enhancements and, with care, some natural nails
- 180–240 grit: Fine grit commonly used for shaping and smoothing natural nails
- 240 grit and above: Very fine grit used for finishing, smoothing, or polishing
The exact feel can vary slightly between manufacturers, so it’s usually worth checking the description of a product before you use it.
Which Grit Is Best for Natural Nails?
A finer file is usually safer for natural nails because it removes less material with each stroke. Files around 180 to 240 grit are commonly used for shaping natural nails.
Very coarse files can cause rough edges, splitting, or unnecessary thinning if you try to use them on natural nails.
Which Grit Is Best for Acrylic or Gel Nails?
Artificial nail enhancements are harder than natural nails, so a coarser file will probably be needed to shorten or reshape them.
A nail technician may use a lower grit for the main shaping work and then switch over to a finer grit to smooth the surface and edges.
Do Nail Files Have More Than One Grit?
Lots of nail files are double-sided, with a different grit on each side. One side may be used for shaping, while the finer side is used for smoothing and finishing.
The grit number is often printed directly on the file or might instead be listed on the packaging.