At Eckersley’s we often get asked about what the letters and numbers on our pencil ranges mean! If you’re just getting started with drawing and sketching, you might be wondering too, so let us help you make sense of it all.
What are pencil grades?
Pencil grades are the letters and numbers you’ll often see on the end of a pencil, for example HB or 2B. These grades help artists and illustrators know how hard (or soft!) and how dark (or light!) a graphite pencil is.
The H in pencil grades stands for hardness, and the B stands for blackness. The harder a pencil lead is, the lighter the lines they produce will be. Conversely, softer leads make darker marks, and thus fall into the ‘B’ side of the HB Graphite Scale.
Graphite pencil cores are made from a mix of graphite and clay filler. The more clay filler that’s used in a lead, the harder it is and the lighter the mark made will be. In terms of pencil grades, this means that the higher the number is before the ‘H’, the more clay filler the lead includes and thus the lighter the mark made will be. Conversely, the higher the number is before a ‘B’ grade of pencil is, the darker and softer its lead is.
What do the pencil grades mean?
Most modern pencils use the HB Graphite Scale, and are given a grade to indicate the level of hardness.
The grades run from 9H, the softest and lightest lead, through to 9B which is the darkest lead. You will also see an ‘F’ rating that sits between H and HB on the scale, this is a hard pencil that maintains a fine point.
HB sits in the middle of the scale, which is why you’ll often see this grade of pencil used in schools or for general use.
What are the different grades best for?
The higher numbered H pencils (9H-5H) are very light, and an excellent choice for making sketches when painting with watercolours or lettering. This is because they leave lighter marks and thus won’t show through the watercolour paints as clearly as a darker lead would.
The next group of H pencils (4H-2H) are excellent for drawing outlines, making light sketches and guidelines, or for technical drawing. They are dark enough to see clearly but light enough to lift easily or trace over.
The mid-range grades (H, F, HB, and B) are the grades you are most likely to have come across in schools or offices. They are a popular pencil that are best for writing and simple sketches. They’re versatile as they are dark enough to write and draw clearly, but still hard enough to have minimal smudging when used.
The B graded pencils are ideal for shading or creating gradually darkening tones in pencil artworks, helping to build a sense of 3D form in the work. This is due to their softer texture laying down darker marks. As you move into the higher B grades, you’ll find the pencil lead is excellent for smudging and blending techniques in your art.
It’s that simple!
Once you know how the pencil grades work, it’s simply a matter of finding your favourite style of sketching and art techniques, then choosing the grade that will best suit your needs. Many standard pencil sets will include pencils in the middle of the HB Graphite Scale, and are a great place to start getting used to how each pencil grade lays down lines.
Eckersley’s has a wide range of drawing pencils on offer, so you can get started on your sketches and illustrated artworks! Check out our pencil range on our online store, or visit one of our retail stores across Australia to pick up your pencils today and get creating!
FAQs
In terms of pencil grades, this means that the higher the number is before the 'H', the more clay filler the lead includes and thus the lighter the mark made will be. Conversely, the higher the number is before a 'B' grade of pencil is, the darker and softer its lead is.
What do the grades of pencils mean for beginners? ›
The H stands for hard and the B stands for blackness. H pencils are harder and produce lighter lines because they contain more filler and less graphite. Pencils that fall into the B grade, on the other hand, make a darker mark because they're softer and don't contain as much filler.
What pencil for beginner drawing? ›
Generally, the best way to start drawing is with a hard pencil which will make a light mark that erases easily, allowing you to adjust your drawing frequently at the beginning. Then, as the drawing develops and requires a darker mark for shading or bold details, move on to a softer pencil.
What grade pencil for drawing? ›
Graphite pencils with hardness degrees of 3B to 8B are ideal for artistic, pictorial drawing with their very soft to extra soft, very black graphite. Graphite pencils H, F, HB, B, and 2B are ideal for drawing and writing with our B (soft black) pencil being equivalent to the traditional No. 2 pencil.
What is an HB, 2B, 4B, and 6B pencil? ›
(The "H" stands for "hard".) "B" pencils feature softer graphite. (The "B" stands for "black".) The number found in front of the letter reveals just how soft or hard the pencil is. In other words, a "4H" pencil is harder than a "2H" pencil while a "4B" pencil is softer than a "2B" pencil.
How to use different pencil grades? ›
For deep, dark shading use a grade from 3B upwards. For a very light mark – such as for when you are suggesting an outline for a watercolour – use a grade around the 2H mark. Use various grades in a drawing to give a range of mark-making to achieve depth and interest. It is also important to use an appropriate surface.
How to choose pencils for drawing? ›
In this scale, the letter “H” is used to indicate hardness while the letter “B” indicates blackness. “F” designates that a pencil sharpens to a fine point. The higher the number next to the “B”, the softer the pencil is. Likewise, the higher the number next to the “H”, the harder the pencil is.
What is the best pencil to start drawing with? ›
For simple sketching, the HB pencil is probably the most popular, with artists also favoring the H and the B pencils. For preliminary sketches that will be used as a guide for a painting or illustration, the lighter 2H–4H pencils are ideal.
How do you start pencil drawing for beginners? ›
Take your pencil and practice drawing a few straight and curved lines, long ones and short ones. Don't worry about doing this right or wrong, it's just a warm up. Then draw a few round shapes like circles and ellipses, and try out loose shapes like lying eights. Vary the size and also vary the pressure of your pen.
Is 0.5 or 0.7 pencil better for drawing? ›
0.5 MM: Recommendable for those whose handwriting is small, as the stroke 0,5 mm leads create is finer. It is also indicated for artist that draw using little strain. 0.7 MM: Ideal to write numbers since this lead is soft but tougher.
Grading and classification
| Tone and grade designations | Application examples |
|---|
| B | #1 | freehand drawing writing (restricted) |
| HB | #2 | writing linear drawing |
| F | #2½* |
| H | #3 | technical drawing mathematical drawing |
18 more rowsPencil Code is a collaborative programming site for drawing art, playing music, and creating games. It is also a place to experiment with mathematical functions, geometry, graphing, webpages, simulations, and algorithms. Programs are open for all to see and copy.
What is the best pencil grade preferred in freehand drawing? ›
The best pencils for drawing and sketching are a HB, 2B, 6B and 9B. Far better than buying a whole set of pencils, most of which will never be used.
Is 2B or 4B better for drawing? ›
Well, 2B is lighter and 4B is MUCH darker, so I'd be depending on what kind of look your after. use them both . IMO 2B is best for starting, creating and shadowing in.
What does f stand for in pencil? ›
The degree of hardness of a pencil is printed on the pencil.
These pencils are soft. H stands for "hard". HB stands for "hard black", which means "medium hard". F stands for "firm".
Is a normal pencil HB or 2B? ›
A #2 is the equivalent of an HB pencil, which sits comfortably in the middle of pencil grading scale and is universally considered to be a balanced lead that is ideal for writing and general use.
What is the difference between #1 and #2 pencils? ›
1 Pencil (B Grade): Higher in graphite, softer, prone to smudging, and ideal for artistic or bold writing. No. 2 Pencil (HB Grade): A balanced mix of graphite and clay, offering versatility for writing and drawing, making it a popular choice for schools and offices.
What is the difference between #2 and #3 pencils? ›
The hardness of the graphite core is often marked on the pencil — look for a number (such as “2” “2-1/2” or “3”) — and the higher the number, the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper.
What is a 5B pencil used for? ›
The 5B pencil is softer than a standard HB pencil, making it suitable for shading, creating mid-tone values, and adding depth to drawings. Artists commonly use 5B pencils for sketching, outlining, and adding details with darker lines.
Which lead is darker, HB or 2B? ›
The 2B pencil has a higher blackness, and the marks drawn are relatively black, while the HB pencil has a lower blackness, and the color of the marks drawn is relatively light, which is very different. ... 2B pencil is darker in color and lower in hardness.
