While all grinding could be called surface grinding because all grinding operations are done on the surface of the material, surface grinding is generally classified as the grinding of flat surfaces. Two of the most common types of surface grinders are:

Planar-Type surface grinders- Planar surface grinders make use of a reciprocating or back and forth motion to of the worktable under a grinding wheel.

Rotary-Type surface grinders make use of circular worktables that rotate under a spinning grinding wheel.