As the number describing the mesh size increases, the size of the openings and thus the size of particles captured by the screen decreases – higher numbers indicate finer abrasives.

Because screens can be made with different materials (i.e. with wire strands of different thicknesses – thicker strands yield smaller openings for particles to pass through and vice versa), it is very important to note that mesh size is not a precise measurement of the mesh opening and/or particle sizes.

Finer mesh weaves mean mesh wires are more tightly arranged, increasing until the point when practically no space remains between them. For this reason, particle sizes > 325-mesh are usually described in “microns.”

Visibility Threshold (Naked-Eye): 40 microns

Linear Equivalents:

1 micron = .00003964 inches ∙ 25,400 microns = 1 inch ∙ 1,000 microns = 1 millimeter

Direct conversion between sizes can be accomplished through the use of various online tools such as the Grit & Particle Size Converter & Particle Size Conversion Calculator.