Microns is how the size of grains are individually measured. Different grit rating systems assign rating numbers according to certain standards for that grit, including average grit size and maximum permissible deviation. When a singular micron rating is given it can typically be presumed to be the average micron measurement of the grains. This is why different grit rating systems don't necessarily translate perfectly from one to another even when the average grain size is the same--the two systems likely have at least some small difference in the minimum and maximum micron sizes permitted in the particular grit. The major systems, ANSI (North America), JIS (Japanese), and FEPA F (European) standards for bonded abrasives diverge the larger the number used for the grit rating. In the coarse ranges they are closer to one another in equivalence. Grit standards and number ratings are often different between bonded (stones) and coated (sandpaper/grinding belt/diamond plate) abrasives.