Lead Grade

If you grew up in the US, the pencil grade you’re probably most familiar with is the classic No. 2 pencil. Mechanical pencil leads use a different scale that can be a bit confusing at first, filled with letters like H, B, and occasionally even F.

But what do lead grades actually mean? Mechanical pencils are made of a mixture of graphite and a binder material like clay. The more graphite is in the lead, the softer, smoother, and darker it will be. Conversely, the more clay is in the lead, the harder, toothier, and lighter it will be. Lead grades are a handy way of distinguishing which balance of these properties each lead has.

The mechanical pencil equivalent of a No. 2 pencil is HB lead, which is also the most popular grade of mechanical pencil lead. If you don’t know where to start, you can’t go wrong with an HB lead.

If you want an especially smooth and dark lead, we recommend a B or 2B lead. It can be tempting to go all the way out to 4B, but in our experience 4B leads are a bit too soft and prone to smudging for everyday writing.

On the other hand, if you want a slightly firmer, less smudge-prone lead, go for an H or F lead.

You can find more lead-grade-related information and recommendations in our guide to the best lead grade for every application.