For painting cabinets, the usual sweet spot is 120–150 grit for the main sanding, then 180–220 grit for smoothing before primer or paint. If you’re just lightly scuffing an already-clean, finished surface, 220 grit is often enough; for stripping old varnish or rough paint, start coarser and work up to finer grits.

Quick rule

  • Raw wood or heavy finish removal: 80–120 grit first, then move finer.
  • General cabinet prep before painting: 120–150 grit.
  • After primer or between coats: 180–220 grit, or even 320+ for extra-smooth finishing.

By cabinet type

  • Solid wood: can handle a wider range, including coarser grits if you need to remove old finish.
  • Laminate or veneer: stay gentler, usually around 120–220 grit, because these surfaces are easy to damage.

Simple answer

If you want one number: start with 120 grit, finish with 220 grit for most cabinets before painting.

If you want, I can also give you the best grit by cabinet condition : painted, stained, laminate, or raw wood.