Art, Stationery & Drafting
Pencil Hardness Scale & Grade Chart
Decode the numbers and letters stamped on graphite pencils: 9H through 9B, what HB means, and why the standard school pencil is always #2.
Harder & Lighter (More Clay) ⟵Hardness Spectrum⟶ Softer & Darker (More Graphite)
US Equivalent: #2 Pencil (Standard)
Grade HB
Smudge Risk: Medium
Visual Tone / Shade:
Standard Graphite Gray
Graphite vs Clay Mix:
Equal 50/50 balance of graphite and clay
Recommended Use:
Universal classroom pencil, Scantron optical exam forms, daily writing.
What Do H, B, F, and HB Actually Stand For?
HHardness
Higher number (e.g. 6H) = more clay = harder core = lighter line.
BBlackness
Higher number (e.g. 6B) = more graphite = softer core = darker, blacker line.
FFine point
A hybrid grade that stays sharp under continuous writing pressure.
HBHard & Black
The central median grade, identical to the standard US #2 pencil.