Paper Shredder Security Level (DIN 66399) Comparator

Last updated 2026-08-23

DIN 66399 is the real standard: seven numeric security levels, P-1 through P-7, each defined by an exact maximum particle size. What it does not define is a name like "cross-cut" or "micro-cut" for any of those levels — that part is left to each manufacturer, and we found it fetching seven named products' own current pages directly.

The P-number is standardized. The word on the box is not. Fellowes' own shredder security levels page states its own convention: "Cross-Cut: DIN P-3 & P-4," "Mini-Cut: DIN P-4," "Micro-Cut: DIN P-5" — reserving "Micro-Cut" for P-5 alone. HSM's own product pages use the identical rule: the same Securio B32 shredder is titled "Level P-4 Cross Cut" in one SKU and "Level P-5 Micro Cut" in another. Aurora's own AU870MA page instead titles a P-4 product "Micro-Cut." Bonsaii's own store does both: its C234-A (P-4) is titled "Micro-Cut," its C282-A (also P-4) is titled "Cross-Cut." Below, "Micro-Cut" is the label on named products stated as P-4, P-5, and P-7.

The same word, three different levels

Of the seven products checked, four are labeled "Micro-Cut" on the brand's own current page — Aurora's AU870MA and Bonsaii's C234-A at DIN P-4, Aurora's AU125MA at DIN P-5, and HSM's Securio B24 at DIN P-7. Those three levels are not close substitutes: P-7's own stated particle size (1/32 × 3/16 in) is a small fraction of P-4's own stated particle size on the same two brands' pages (roughly 5/32 × 15/32 in). If "Micro-Cut" is the only word on the listing you're comparing, it does not tell you which of those three you're actually buying.

What this does not do

It does not recommend a security level for your own documents — that depends on what you're destroying and who you're protecting it from, which only you know.
It does not convert particle dimensions into a P-level itself — every P-level below is the exact level stated on that product's own current page, not a figure we derived from its cut size.
It covers seven specific products across three named brands checked directly, not an exhaustive catalog of any brand's full lineup.
DIN 66399 also defines separate letter-prefixed levels for other media (optical discs, hard drives, etc.) — this tool covers the paper ("P") levels only.

Runs entirely in your browser. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. The cut-resistant glove rating comparator found the same "an official numeric scale exists, but the word printed next to it isn't standardized" shape in a different market, and the gun safe & fire safe fire rating comparator found a related but different problem — an independently-verified rating and a self-tested one that use the identical unit (minutes) without disclosing they were tested under different conditions. The paint sheen gloss level comparator found the identical shape again: MPI's own gloss-unit standard is real and numeric, but the sheen NAME printed on a can is each manufacturer's own overlay on top of it.