Soft: 9B - 6B
- 9B (soft): Very soft, often used by artists for creating dark, rich tones.
- 8B (soft): Softer than 9B, commonly employed for shading and sketching.
- 7B (soft): Suitable for drawing, shading, and blending techniques.
- 6B (soft): Still soft but slightly firmer than 7B.
Medium: 5B - HB
- 5B (medium): A moderately soft grade, widely used for sketching and drawing.
- 4B (medium): Provides a darker line compared to 5B and is generally suitable for shading.
- 3B (medium): Slightly harder than 4B, well-rounded for general writing and drawing.
- 2B (medium): Often considered the "standard" pencil for writing, drawing, and everyday use.
- B (medium): Slightly harder than 2B, a good choice for everyday writing and sketching.
- HB (hard-black): Indicates the middle of the scale. HB pencils are versatile, suitable for writing and drawing.
Hard: H - 9H
- H (hard): Slightly harder than HB, frequently used for technical drawing and precise lines.
- 2H (hard): Harder than H, suitable for detailed drawings, engineering, and drafting work.
- 3H (hard): Even harder than 2H, typically chosen for technical drawings and detailed work.
- 4H (hard): Offers a more rigid core, ideal for architectural and engineering drawings.
- 5H (hard): Quite firm and less prone to smudging, often used for technical drawings.
- 6H (hard): Significantly hard and provides very thin, precise lines.
- 7H (hard): Offers extreme hardness for creating sharp, thin lines.
- 8H (hard): Among the hardest grades, mainly used for technical drawings and drafts.
- 9H (hard): The hardest grade commonly found, reserved for specialized technical drawings.
It's important to note that the grade of a pencil doesn't necessarily indicate its quality. Different manufacturers may have their own variations of the grading system, and personal preferences also come into play. Artists, designers, and professionals often have their preferred grades based on their specific needs and techniques.