Reference · October 2026
Pencil hardness scale
Every graphite grade from 9H to 9B, what each one is for, the US #1 to #4 equivalents, and how far the big brands' ranges actually run.
By Travis Moher · Published October 28, 2026
The quick answer
The pencil hardness scale runs from 9H (hardest, lightest) to 9B (softest, darkest). H stands for hardness and B for blackness. HB is the middle and equals a US #2 pencil, and F (fine point) sits between HB and H. The scale is not standardized across brands, so one maker's HB can be darker than another's.
Pencil grade chart, 9H to 9B
Read the chart top to bottom from hardest to softest. The gray bar is only a visual cue for the direction of the scale, not a measured darkness, because each brand's grades land in different places.
| Grade | US # | Mark | Typical use | Staedtler | Faber-Castell | Derwent | Tombow |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9H | Hardest, palest gray | Very fine, faint guide lines that barely show | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 8H | Very hard, very light | Fine technical lines | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 7H | Very hard, very light | Fine technical lines | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | |
| 6H | Hard, light | Precise construction lines, technical drawing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 5H | Hard, light | Construction lines, drafting | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 4H | Hard, light | Light layout that erases cleanly | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3H | Hard, light | Light sketch layout, detailed linework | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 2H | #4 | Moderately hard | Underdrawing for paint or ink, fine detail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| H | #3 | Moderately hard | Writing that will not smudge, light detail | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| F | #2½ | Medium, holds a fine point | Writing and fine lines; F means fine point | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HB | #2 | Medium, the middle of the scale | Everyday writing, all-round sketching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| B | #1 | Soft, darker | Sketching, darker writing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2B | Soft, dark | Sketching and light shading | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 3B | Soft, dark | Shading, mid tones | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 4B | Soft, dark | Shading, value studies | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 5B | Very soft, very dark | Dark tones, expressive sketching | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 6B | Very soft, very dark | Deep shadows, blending | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | |
| 7B | Very soft, very dark | Deep shadows, large dark areas | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 8B | Very soft, near black | Darkest darks, bold sketching | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 9B | Softest, blackest | Darkest accents; smudges easily | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Brand columns show whether the grade falls inside each maker's published range: Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100 (12B to 10H), Faber-Castell Castell 9000 (8B to 6H), Derwent Graphic (13B to 9H), Tombow MONO 100 (6B to 9H). US numbers are the commonly cited conversion. Pencils.com confirms #2 = HB; the others vary by brand.
What H, B, F, and HB mean
- H, hardness. Winsor & Newton: hard, light marks, for delicate, intricate drawing. The higher the number, the lighter.
- B, blackness. Soft, dark marks, for shading and smooth coverage. The higher the number, the darker and softer.
- HB. A balance of hard and soft, the all-rounder for writing and general sketching.
- F, fine. A formulation that sharpens to and holds a fine point. It sits between HB and H.
Softer pencils also wear down faster. Pencils.com notes soft leads dull faster than hard leads and need more frequent sharpening, which is why a long point sharpener like the Kum AS2 earns its place next to a set of B grades.
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Pencil grades are not standardized
There is no industry standard for how dark a given grade must be. Pencils.com says plainly that a #2 or HB from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB from another. It adds that HB leads made in Japan are generally softer and darker than European HB leads. Brands also cover different stretches of the scale.
| Pencil | Range | Grades | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Staedtler Mars Lumograph 100 | 12B to 10H | 24 | Lead gets thicker as it gets softer: about 2.0 mm from 2B to 10H, 2.5 mm for 5B to 3B, 3.6 mm for 11B to 6B, 4.5 mm for 12B. |
| Faber-Castell Castell 9000 | 8B to 6H | 16 | The 12 pencil Art Set covers 8B to 2H. |
| Derwent Graphic | 13B to 9H | 24 | Derwent's UK page lists 24 degrees from 13B; some older Derwent listings give 20 grades from 9B to 9H. |
| Tombow MONO 100 | 6B to 9H | 17 | A Japanese maker. Pencils.com notes Japanese HB leads tend to be softer and darker than European HB. |
The practical rule: pick one brand for a drawing and swatch its grades on your own paper before you rely on them.
Ready to shop
Two graded sets and the two tools that make them work. Affiliate links, so we may earn a commission at no cost to you.
Staedtler Mars Lumograph, 12 degrees (6H to 8B)Twelve grades from the line with the widest range on this page, plus an eraser and sharpener.about $28 · Check price
Faber-Castell 9000 Graphite Sketch Set, 8B to 2H, 12 pencilsThe soft-leaning half of the scale, which is where most drawing happens.about $12 · Check price
Faber-Castell Kneadable Eraser in Storage CaseLifts graphite by pressing instead of rubbing, so you can lighten soft B grades without tearing the paper.about $4 · Check price
Kum AS2 Two-Hole Long Point SharpenerSharpens the wood and the lead in two steps for a long point, useful on soft grades that wear down fast.about $8 · Check pricePrices are Amazon listing prices checked October 28, 2026.
Which grades to buy
You rarely need all twenty. Winsor & Newton suggests starting with a hard pencil for light marks that are easy to adjust, and notes that hard pencils alone cannot reach a true black, so softer leads are essential for contrast. A working spread covers both ends:
- 2H for layout and underdrawing.
- HB for general lines.
- 2B and 4B for shading.
- 6B or 8B for the darkest darks.
The Faber-Castell 9000 set covers 8B to 2H, which is that spread and more. Moving to color next? Our colored pencil guide picks up where graphite leaves off.
Sources
- Pencils.com, Graphite Grading Scale Explained. #2 = HB, no industry standard for darkness, Japanese vs European HB, soft leads dull faster.
- Winsor & Newton, How to understand pencil grades. What H, B, F, and HB mean and what each range is for.
- Mental Floss, Are there number 1 pencils? The #1 to #4 conversion, with the note that exact conversions depend on the brand.
- Staedtler, Mars Lumograph 100. 24 degrees, 12B to 10H, lead diameters.
- Faber-Castell, Castell 9000. 16 degrees, 8B to 6H.
- Derwent, Graphic Pencils. 24 degrees, 13B to 9H.
- Tombow, MONO 100. 17 grades, 9H to 6B.
Questions
What is the pencil hardness scale?
It is the letter and number system that tells you how hard a pencil's graphite core is. H grades are hard and make light marks; B grades are soft and make dark marks. HB sits in the middle, and F sits between HB and H. The common art range runs from 9H, the hardest, to 9B, the softest, and some makers go further, such as Staedtler's 12B to 10H.
Is a No. 2 pencil the same as HB?
Yes. Pencils.com says an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered equivalent to a #2. The commonly cited conversion puts #1 at B, #2½ at F, #3 at H, and #4 at 2H, but exact conversions depend on the brand.
What do H, B, and F mean on a pencil?
Winsor & Newton defines H as hardness (light and subtle marks), B as blackness (soft and dark marks), F as fine (a formulation that holds a sharp point), and HB as a balance of hard and soft. The bigger the number in front of H, the harder and lighter; the bigger the number in front of B, the softer and darker.
Which pencil grade is best for drawing?
Most drawing uses a few grades, not the whole scale. A common spread is a 2H for light layout, HB for general lines, and 2B, 4B, and 6B for shading and darks. Winsor & Newton suggests starting with a hard pencil for light marks that are easy to adjust, and notes hard pencils alone cannot reach a true black.
Is an HB from one brand the same as another brand?
No. Pencils.com says there is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark, so an HB or #2 from one brand will not necessarily match another. It also notes that HB leads made in Japan are generally softer and darker than HB leads from European makers.
What is the darkest pencil grade?
The softest grade a brand makes is its darkest. In the ranges on this page that is 12B for Staedtler Mars Lumograph, 13B for Derwent Graphic, 8B for Faber-Castell Castell 9000, and 6B for Tombow MONO 100.
Keep reading
- Prismacolor vs Polychromos: the same soft vs firm question, in color.
- The best sketchbooks: paper to put the soft grades on.
- Drawing classes in Austin: learn the full value range in person.
Grade ranges are each maker's published figures, cited above. Typical uses are general guidance; every brand's grades feel different, so swatch before you commit. Austin Gallery may earn a commission from product links on this page at no cost to you.