Pick the wrong grit and you either spend forever shaping an acrylic set or you risk roughing up a natural nail. Nail file grit is simply how coarse or fine the abrasive is: the lower the number, the coarser the file. Soft Touch® has been making professional nail files and buffers in the USA since 1979, and this guide walks through the grits we offer and when to use each one.
Our cushion files use a foam core for comfortable sanding, and many Soft Touch® files are washable and disinfectable so you can clean and reuse them. Product pages list the exact grits available for each shape and color.
Nail file grit chart
- 060–080 (extra coarse) – fast reduction and shortening of acrylic, hard gel and thick enhancements. Skip this range on natural nails.
- 100 (coarse) – a go-to grit for shaping acrylic and gel. Removes product quickly with more control than 080.
- 100/180 (two-in-one) – shape enhancements with the 100 side, then refine and blend with the 180 side.
- 180 (medium) – the everyday grit for shaping natural nails and finishing enhancements.
- 240 (fine) – gentler on natural and thin nails, and a solid finishing grit after coarser shaping.
- 320–400 (extra fine) – smooths edges and surfaces and helps seal the free edge of natural nails.
- 600 and up (ultra fine) – final smoothing before buffing.
- 2400–12000 (buffers) – polish-free, high-gloss shine.
That chart lines up with our homepage FAQ shortcut too: 100 for heavy shaping of acrylics, 180 for general filing and smoothing of natural nails, and 240 for finishing.
Best grit for acrylic nails
Start with 100 to shape and shorten. Reach for 080 only when you need heavy reduction, such as a long set or a fill with a lot of grow-out. Then refine with 180 to blend the cuticle area and smooth file marks before topcoat.
A two-sided Cushion Zebra 100/180 file covers both steps with one tool, and our Zebra nail files collection has the same grit options in Standard, Curved, Tapered and other shapes.
Best grit for gel nails
Hard gel files much like acrylic, so use 100 to shape and 180 to refine. For soft gel or builder gel overlays, shape with 180 and smooth with 240 so you are less likely to file through to the natural nail.
If you prefer a mylar abrasive for enhancement work, browse our Mylar nail files. Soft Touch® mylar files are built for durable, washable performance on acrylic and gel sets.
Best grit for natural nails
Natural nails need 180 or finer. Use 180 to shape the free edge, and 240 or higher on thin, weak or peeling nails. For extra-sensitive nails, a Sand Turtle® sponge file has a cushioned core that flexes with the nail, which feels gentler than a rigid board.
Finish with a fine 320/400 grit to seal the edge and reduce snagging, then move to a Soft Touch® buffer if you want a polish-free shine. Our nail buffers include 3-way and 4-way options with ultra-fine grits such as 2400 / 4000 / 12000.
Why Soft Touch® grit feels different
Soft Touch® files are made in the USA for salon and at-home use. Our TRU-GRIT® abrasive is sharper, more durable and lasts longer, and creates fewer debris. The unique foam core makes sanding more comfortable when filing nails. Many files may be washed with gentle soap and water and reused after cleaning with a disinfectant solution.
Every product page lists available grits and pack sizes, from 5-packs for travel kits to 50-packs for the station.
Quick tips for better filing
- File in one direction from the side toward the center. Sawing back and forth can weaken natural nails.
- Shape with a coarser grit, then always finish with a finer grit to remove file marks.
- Keep anything coarser than 240 off the top surface of a natural nail.
- Replace files when they feel smooth. A dull file tears instead of cutting cleanly.
- Wash and disinfect reusable Soft Touch® cushion and mylar files between clients.
FAQ
What grit should I use on acrylics?
Start with 100 to shape, use 080 only for heavy reduction, then refine with 180.
What grit is safest for natural nails?
Stay at 180 or finer. Use 240+ on thin or weak nails, or try a Sand Turtle® sponge file.
What does 100/180 mean?
It is a two-sided file: the 100 side shapes enhancements, and the 180 side refines and blends.
Are Soft Touch® files washable?
Yes. Many Soft Touch® cushion and mylar files are washable and disinfectable for reuse.
Shop Soft Touch® by grit
Ready to stock your station? Browse our professional nail files, Zebra files, Mylar files and buffers—all made in the USA by Soft Touch®.