Are You Using The Wrong Pencil? Pencil Grading Guide For Beginners

Last Updated on February 25, 2025 by Masha Eretnova

Graphite pencils are a staple for artists, writers, and anyone who enjoys putting ideas on paper.

If you’re new to drawing or painting, you might have noticed that pencils come with numbers and letters like “2B” or “4H.” But what do these mean?

Understanding these markings will help you choose the right pencil for your artwork, whether you’re sketching, shading, or doing fine details.

Below, I’ll break down the graphite pencil grading system with simple explanations, the uses for each grade, and the best pencils to buy to start.

Graphite Pencil Grading: What Do the Numbers and Letters Mean?

Graphite pencils are made from a mix of graphite (a soft, dark carbon material) and clay (a harder, binding material). The balance between these two ingredients determines the pencil’s grade:

• More graphite = softer pencil, darker marks.
• More clay = harder pencil, lighter marks.

The HB system (and the broader H-to-B scale) is now used worldwide, but it was formalized in Europe, largely thanks to German and British pencil manufacturers.

The grading system uses letters and numbers to show this balance:

• H stands for “hard” – these pencils have more clay, making them harder and lighter. H (Hard) pencils create light, fine lines.
• B stands for “black” – these pencils have more graphite, making them softer and darker.
• HB is the middle ground – a balance of hardness and blackness.
• F stands for “fine” – a hard pencil that sharpens to a fine point, sitting between HB and H. It’s slightly harder than HB and stays sharp longer, which is good for neat and precise lines.
• EE is a unique grade – unlike standard pencils made only of graphite and clay, EE pencils are a blend of roughly 50% graphite and 50% charcoal. This mix creates a very dark, matte mark that’s softer and blacker than most graphite pencils but harder than pure charcoal. EE pencils are softer and darker than an 8B.

Numbers next to H or B (like 2H or 4B) tell you how intense the hardness or softness is. Higher numbers mean more of that quality: a 6H is harder and lighter than a 2H, while a 6B is softer and darker than a 2B.

EE doesn’t typically carry a number and sits outside the standard scale, though it’s often compared to a 7B or 8B in darkness. Some brands, like Wolff’s Carbon Pencils, still produce EE-grade pencils, in general carbon and charcoal pencils are great alternatives for EE-graded graphite pencils.

If you prefer video content, here is my Youtube video about pencil grades:

HB Scale v.s. US Pencil Grading System

In the U.S., pencils are sometimes graded with numbers like #1, #2, #3, or #4 instead. These roughly match up to the HB system: a #2 pencil is about the same as an HB, commonly used for writing and standardized tests.

The U.S. scale was popularized by American pencil makers like Thoreau’s family in the 19th century, focusing on writing needs rather than the detailed art range of HB. Here’s the general conversion:

• Lower U.S. numbers (like #1) are softer and darker, aligning with B grades.
• Higher numbers (like #4) are harder and lighter, aligning with H grades.
• #2 sits in the middle, matching HB, the global standard for writing.

The alignment isn’t perfect because U.S. grades don’t cover the full 9H-to-9B range, but it’s close enough for practical use.

Here’s a clean table to convert U.S. grades to their HB equivalents:

U.S. Grade	HB Equivalent	Description
#1	B	Soft, dark—good for bold lines.
#2	HB	Medium—balanced for writing. The most common.
#2½	F	Slightly hard, fine point.
#3	H	Hard, light—precise lines.
#4	2H	Very hard, faint—technical use.

No Exact Match Beyond #4: The U.S. system tops out at #4 (around 2H), while HB goes to 9H and 9B. For softer (e.g., 4B) or harder (e.g., 6H), you’ll need the HB scale.

Pencil Grading Order

The full graphite grading scale runs from the hardest (lightest) to the softest (darkest). Not all brands use the entire range, but here’s the typical order:

• Hardest to softest: 9H, 8H, 7H, 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B.
• Some brands go even further, like 10H or 10B, but 9H to 9B is the most common range.

Think of it as a spectrum: 9H is super hard and pale, HB is the middle, and 9B is super soft and black.

How To Use Each Pencil Grade

Each pencil grade has its own strengths, making it suited to specific tasks.

• Hard pencils are best for technical drawings, fine details, and light sketching. They stay sharp longer, good for clean, crisp lines. BUT can be too light for shading, which may dent the paper.
• Soft B pencils are best for shading, sketching, and expressive strokes. They create rich, dark lines, and blend well. BUT they need frequent sharpening and can smudge easily.
• HB and F pencils are good for general-purpose drawing and writing. HB is a great all-around pencil for beginners.

Let’s see in a bit more detail.

Hard Pencils (H Grades) 9H to 5H:

These are the hardest and lightest pencils. They make faint, precise lines because they don’t leave much graphite on the paper.

Uses: Perfect for technical drawings (like blueprints or engineering sketches) where you need fine, clean lines that won’t smudge. Also great for light sketching under watercolors since the lines won’t show through paint as much.

Hard Pencils (H Grades) 4H to 2H:

Still hard, but a bit darker than the higher H grades. They’re firm but leave slightly more visible marks.

Uses: Good for detailed outlines, light sketches, or guidelines in drawings that you might erase later. Architects and drafters often use these.

Middle Ground (H, F, HB)

• H: The lightest of the “middle” pencils. Hard but not as extreme as higher H grades, with a faint mark.
  • Uses: Useful for subtle sketches or technical work needing precision without bold lines.
• F: A hard pencil that keeps a sharp point. Like HB but stays sharp longer for finer lines.
  • Uses: Great for writing or sketching when you want clean, sharp lines without too much darkness.
• HB: The all-purpose pencil. Right in the middle—neither too hard nor too soft, neither too light nor too dark.
  • Uses: Ideal for everyday writing (like notes or letters) and basic sketching. It’s the go-to for schoolwork and fits the #2 pencil standard for tests.

Soft Pencils (B Grades): B to 3B:

B to 3B are soft and starting to get dark. These leave more graphite on paper, making darker, smoother lines.

Uses: Excellent for sketching, shading, and drawing where you want richer tones. Artists use these for outlines or light shading.

Soft Pencils (B Grades): 4B to 6B:

4B to 6B are very soft and very dark. They’re creamy and bold, leaving lots of graphite behind.

Uses: Perfect for deep shading, bold lines, and expressive artwork. They blend well for smooth gradients but dull quickly and can smudge.

Soft Pencils (B Grades): 7B to 9B:

7B to 9B are the softest and darkest pencils. Almost like drawing with pure graphite—super black and messy.

Uses: Best for dramatic art, heavy shading, or filling in large dark areas. They’re great for creating contrast but need frequent sharpening and can get shiny on paper.

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What Pencils To Use For Sketching Before Acrylic or Gouache Painting?

When sketching before an acrylic or gouache painting, the goal is to create a light, workable outline that won’t interfere with your paint layers. Choosing the right pencil for sketching before painting and for drawing is two different tasks!

For pre-painting sketch, you want pencils that are hard enough to leave faint marks, easy to erase or cover, and won’t smudge into your wet paint.

When sketching before painting with acrylic or gouache, hard pencils (H grades, especially 2H to 4H) are your best choice. Use 2H or 3H for broad outlines, and 4H for fine details. Erase extras before painting—don’t press too hard, as paint will cover the rest.

Why They Work?

Light Marks: With more clay than graphite, these pencils leave faint lines that stay subtle under paint. Acrylic and gouache are opaque, but dark graphite (like B grades) can show through light or thin layers—H grades keep it discreet.

Easy to Erase: Need to tweak your sketch? Hard pencils lift off cleanly with a kneaded eraser, no smudges left behind. And you won’t tear the paper.

No Smudging into Paint: Soft pencils (B grades) are graphite-rich and can blend into wet paint, muddying colors—especially with gouache’s water base. H grades stay stable.

Precision: The H pencils hold a sharp point longer, perfect for detailed outlines (think portraits or landscapes) without frequent sharpening.

Basic Pencil Setup for Beginners

If you’re just starting, you don’t need a huge set of pencils. A basic selection of two or three essential pencils will allow you to explore sketching, shading, and details without spending too much.

Here’s a good starting kit.

Recommended Pencils for Beginners:

• HB or F – Great for outlines and basic sketches
• 2B – Ideal for shading and general drawing
• 4B or 6B – Perfect for darker shading and adding depth

If you want to practice daily and learn how to draw properly, consider adding these items to your started kit:

1. Eraser: Kneadable (soft, moldable) or vinyl (clean erasing). Fixes mistakes and blends shading. Avoid pink school erasers—they smear. Staedtler Mars Plastic or Faber-Castell Kneaded.
2. Sharpener. Handheld metal with two holes (standard and thick pencils). Keeps pencils sharp for detail or dull for broad strokes. Kum Long Point or Staedtler Metal.
3. Paper. Sketchbook, 80-100 lb (100-150 gsm), slightly textured. Holds graphite well. Skip printer paper—it’s too thin. Strathmore Sketch Pad (9×12”) or Canson XL.
4. Optional: Blending Stump smooths graphite for soft effects (use a finger if you don’t have one). I really love using them even with colored pencils, they make blending colors a breeze!! Although I still use a piece of paper or cotton too.

This setup costs $10-$20 and fits in a pencil case!

Budget-Friendly Pencils Brands to Consider

These brands are beginner-approved, affordable, and easy to find:

1. Faber-Castell 9000 Sketch Set or individual pencils from the 9000 series. Smooth, sturdy, “buttery” feel. (~$10-$12).
2. Staedtler Mars Lumograph – a reliable set, dark, consistent, and sharpens well. (HB to 6B, ~$8-$10).
3. Prismacolor Ebony or Scholar. Amazing velvety blacks. (~$5-$7).
4. Amazon Basics – a great cheap starter set for learning drawing techniques
5. Derwent Graphic. The soft set is great for beginners and budget-friendly. Nice deep tones and blends very well. (HB to 6B, ~$8-$10).
6. General’s Kimberly Pencils – Affordable and good for shading

Masha’s Tips for Using Pencils Effectively

Even the most expensive pencil won’t work if we don’t follow the basic rules and don’t care about it. Not to worry, pencils are very easy to manage and need minimal maintenance:

• Sharpening: Hard pencils (H grades) hold a point longer, while soft pencils (B grades) wear down fast and need sharpening often. Professional painters prefer to use a knife and sandpaper for long, precise tips while using a sharpener for convenience.
• Layering: Start with lighter pencils (H grades) and gradually build up shading with darker ones (B grades).
• Paper Matters: Rough paper grabs more graphite from soft pencils for darker marks, while smooth paper works better with hard pencils for clean lines.
• Experiment: Every artist or writer has a favorite grade. Start with a small set (like 2H, HB, 2B, 4B) and try them out to see what feels right.

How to store graphite pencils so they last long?

Storing graphite pencils is all about protecting the tips and keeping them handy, and whether to store them “upside down” (point up) or “point down” depends on your setup.

Point up is the better choice for most situations—like a cup or jar on your desk—because it shields sharpened tips from breaking, keeps graphite dust off the point, and lets you spot grades easily if they’re marked on the end.

Point down works well in a padded case or for unsharpened pencils, as it avoids pressure on fragile tips (especially soft grades like 6B-9B), but it risks dulling or dirtying the point if loose. For daily use, a simple mug with pencils pointing up is practical—just add a soft base like felt if you switch to point down.

Beyond direction, a few habits keep pencils in top shape:

• store them dry to avoid warped wood or smudgy cores, and use a hard case (like a tin) for travel to prevent cracked graphite from drops—soft B grades are especially prone.
• Separate grades (e.g., 2H for painting prep, 4B for shading) with bands or slots for quick access, and don’t overcrowd to avoid chipped paint or snapped tips.
• Point up in a cup or flat in a case are my go-to’s—both keep your pencils clean, organized, and ready for sketching or painting whenever inspiration hits.

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Pencil Grading Chart

Save or print for a quick reference:

Graphite Pencil Grades and Uses Summary Chart

Grade	U.S. Equivalent	Features	Uses
9H	–	Hardest, lightest lines	Technical drawing, faint guidelines under watercolor or thin paint.
8H	–	Very hard, very light	Precision outlines, light sketches for detailed plans.
7H	–	Hard, light	Fine lines, drafting, subtle under-drawing for paintings.
6H	–	Hard, light	Technical sketches, light prep for acrylic/gouache.
5H	–	Hard, fairly light	Detailed outlines, painting prep where faint lines are needed.
4H	–	Hard, light	Sketching under acrylic/gouache, clean guidelines.
3H	–	Moderately hard, light	Light sketching, painting prep, precise outlines.
2H	#4	Hard, light	Ideal for acrylic/gouache sketches, faint drawing lines.
H	#3	Hard, light	Subtle sketches, painting prep, technical work.
F	#2½	Hard, fine point	Writing, crisp sketching, light painting prep.
HB	#2	Medium, balanced	Everyday writing, basic sketching, versatile starter.
B	#1	Soft, dark	Sketching, light shading, bold outlines.
2B	–	Soft, darker	General sketching, moderate shading, expressive lines.
3B	–	Soft, quite dark	Shading, richer tones, sketch details.
4B	–	Very soft, dark	Deep shading, bold sketches, filling areas (not for painting prep).
5B	–	Very soft, very dark	Heavy shading, dramatic effects in drawings.
6B	–	Extremely soft, dark	Intense shading, smooth gradients, artistic sketches.
7B	–	Very soft, very dark	Deep blacks, expressive art, large dark areas.
8B	–	Extremely soft, near-black	Maximum darkness, heavy shading, bold contrast.
9B	–	Softest, blackest	Dramatic art, deepest shadows, messy but striking.
EE	–	Soft, matte black (graphite + charcoal)	Unique matte shading, intense darks for drawing (not painting prep).

You can also pin the image version of this pencil grading chart

Final Thoughts

Understanding pencil grades will help you create better artwork and improve your control over shading and detail.

Start with a few pencils, and experiment with different techniques – the order from 9H to 9B gives you a full toolbox to play with—hard and light on one end, soft and dark on the other, with plenty of options in between.