The Best Lead Grade For Every Application

The Best Lead Grades for Every Application

Lead grade is an important consideration for both the artist and writer. The hardness of a lead affects its strength, smoothness, smudge resistance, and pigmentation. Writers can use different lead grades to make their lines lighter or darker, while an artist can employ the full range of lead grades to achieve different effects.

Watch the video below or keep reading to learn more about lead grades.

Video: Lead Grades Explained

Table of Contents

Lead Grade Considerations

What is Pencil Lead Made Of?

Pencil lead is made up of a mixture of graphite and clay.

Graphite is a key part of modern day pencil lead—in fact, lead is an inaccurate name, as it's actually made up of a mixture of graphite and clay. The formulation of this mixture determines lead grade. A higher proportion of graphite compared to clay will create a softer, darker lead; increasing the clay proportion creates lead that’s harder and leaves a lighter mark.

Lead Grading Scale

There are two systems for grading lead hardness: European and American. The European system uses a combination of letters and numbers. B means soft leads, or leads with greater graphite content. The higher the included number, the softer the lead and the darker the marks produced by the lead—hence B, for black. At the other end of the spectrum, H is used for leads with higher clay content. H leads become harder and lighter as you work up the scale.

The American system uses numbers, with #2 ½ in the middle of the scale. The American #2 pencil usually lines up with the European HB grade, as seen in the graphic above. There is no industry standard for the hardness of a lead grade and results vary from brand to brand. Japanese leads tend to be darker than their European equivalents, though they use the same system.

As the European system is more comprehensive than the American system, we reference the European grading system for the remainder of the article.

H Grades

H designates harder leads.

H leads are extremely smudge resistant and make cleaner lines, making them useful for things such as outlines, technical drawings, light sketches, and even watercolors. Left-handed pencil users can also take advantage of smudge-resistant H leads. On the downside, hard leads tend to feel “scratchy,” especially as you move up the scale.

F and HB

F and HB are great for everyday use.

The lead grades in the middle of the spectrum are F and HB. HB (American #2) is the standard lead grade used for writing because it’s dark enough to be read clearly while having very little smudging.

B Grades

B grades create bold, dark lines, perfect for art.

B leads are smooth to write and draw with. They smudge easily, but are readily erased. They’re perfect for pencil drawings as artists can take advantage of the brush-like expressions, especially in the higher B grades. Animators in particular enjoy using 10B over animator paper because it writes like butter, creating quick, heavy lines with no friction.

Pairing any lead grade (H leads especially) with toothy paper will give you a better writing or drawing experience, as the graphite can “stick” better to the textured surface and be seen more clearly. The tooth of a paper refers to its surface finish, or how rough it is. The toothier a paper, the rougher the surface and the better a medium will grip onto the paper. Some of our favorite toothy papers are found in Stillman & Birn Delta, Maruman New Soho Series, and Maruman Zuan Series sketchbooks.

Choosing a Writing Instrument

Pencil leads are housed in a variety of ways. Top to bottom: Tombow 2558 Pencil, Kokuyo FitCurve Mechanical Pencil, and Uni Mitsubishi Lead Holder.

Pencil leads are housed in a variety of ways. The wooden pencil offers the most extensive range of lead grades. It has a thick lead that can be sharpened or made blunt, allowing you to create precise lines or broad strokes.

On the other hand, the mechanical pencil is a clean, convenient, no-fuss tool that is great for writing. However, because most mechanical pencils have such a small tip size, they’re unable to produce the dynamic lines of a wooden pencil.

Lead holders are the solution to this problem, as they marry the expressiveness of a wooden pencil with the convenience of a mechanical pencil. However, lead grade offerings in lead holders are also limited compared with wooden pencils.

The writing instrument you choose boils down to personal need and preference, and we have recommendations for all three categories below.

Wooden Pencil Lead Grades

Lead Grades for Writing

Leads in the middle of the spectrum (HB, F) are ideal for writing.

As stated earlier, leads in the middle of the spectrum (HB and F) are ideal for writing—they have a good level of pigmentation and smoothness with a relatively low level of smudging. Surrounding lead grades (H, B) are also suitable for writing depending on your preference for darkness.

If you prefer something even darker, 2B may be used, but we wouldn’t go higher than that because of the notable amount of smudging.

For a more comprehensive look at wooden pencils, see our Guide to Wooden Pencils.

The Best Wooden Pencil for Writing: Tombow 2558 Pencil

The Tombow 2558 writes with a grippy feel.

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The Tombow 2558 Pencil may look like the #2 pencil of your elementary school days, but don’t write it off just yet. With three lead grades (H, HB, B) available, you can choose the level of darkness you prefer.

This pencil is great for the careful writer and note-taker—the pencil grips the paper firmly, giving nice control while writing.

We love the gentle sound of it scratching away as we write, but if you want something less distracting, consider the Uni 9850 below.

Also Consider: Uni Mitsubishi 9850 Pencil with Eraser

The Uni Mitsubishi 9850 is a delightful pencil for everyday use.

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Not too grippy nor too smooth, the Uni Mitsubishi 9850 is, as Goldilocks would say, just right. This pencil is pleasant to write with and there’s just one HB lead grade to choose from, you don’t have to spend a long time deciding which pencil to get. The eraser on this pencil is surprisingly good, and the lead itself erases cleanly and easily.

Click below to see all lead grade options for the wooden pencil for writing lead lines mentioned above.

See Wooden Pencils for Writing Lead Grade Table

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Lead Grades for Art

Artists use both soft and hard leads in their work.

Artists use both soft and hard leads to achieve different effects and styles, and many have every single lead grade available already in their arsenal. Those who are just starting out can choose a pencil line they enjoy and pick alternating lead grades to achieve similar effects without having to invest in a complete set. Wooden pencils are perfect to use for techniques such as shading because they can be used on their sides without breaking.

Read our guide on the best graphite drawing pencils for more recommendations.

The Best Wooden Pencil for Art: Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencil

Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencils

The Staedtler Mars Lumograph writes smoothly, perfect for sketches and detailed drawings alike.

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Beloved by beginner and expert artists alike, the Staedtler Mars Lumograph has a wonderful range of lead grades that are great for anything from quick, light sketching to energetic pencil drawings. They’re smooth with a slight grip for artists to draw and sketch comfortably.

Also Consider: Uni Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencil

Uni Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencils boast an incredible range of lead grades.

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With an impressive number of lead grades to choose from, the Uni Mitsubishi Hi-Uni pencil line has everything that an artist needs, whether you’re an animator, comic artist, or watercolor painter. In the soft B grades, the pencils are buttery smooth and almost paintbrush-like in the expressive way they lay down graphite. The harder H leads are fantastic for watercolors and light sketching, but do get scratchier in the upper range.

Click below to see all lead grade options for the wooden pencil for art lead lines mentioned above.

See Wooden Pencils for Art Lead Grade Table

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Mechanical Pencil Lead Grades

Mechanical pencil leads are more limited because it's difficult to make soft leads in thin tip sizes.

Lead grades in mechanical pencil leads are more limited as it’s difficult to make soft leads in thin tip sizes that don’t crumble. While not a problem for writers, artists may have a difficult time finding the lead grade they need.

However, artists can take advantage of these fine-tipped mechanical pencils to draw details and outlines without the hassle of sharpening a wooden pencil. We curated several lines of mechanical pencil leads that have impressive lead grade offerings below.

For a deeper dive into this topic, read our guide on the Best Mechanical Pencil Leads.

The Best Mechanical Pencil Lead: Pentel Ain Stein Lead

Pentel Ain Stein leads are designed to minimize breakage.

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The Pentel Ain Stein has an incredible selection of tip size and lead grade combinations. It’s available in a tiny 0.2 mm tip size, great for those who have miniscule writing. The leads feature silica cores that minimize breakage, even in the 0.2 mm tip size. Artists can also enjoy a sizable amount of lead grades (4H to 4B) in the 0.5 mm size.

Also Consider: Pilot Neox Graphite Lead

Pilot Neox leads are butter-smooth on the page.

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The Pilot Neox uses lubricating graphite crystals to create a smooth, pleasant writing experience. This lead glides effortlessly across the page and is great for artists doing quick sketches or journalers whose typical pencils can’t keep up with their thoughts and ideas.

For a grippier pick, Uni’s Smudge-Proof Lead is infused with nano-diamond particles that stick to the paper better than conventional leads. However, it’s not available in as many lead grades as the Neox or Ain Stein. We recommend it in the HB or B grades for the most effective smudge prevention. The 2B grade doesn’t quite overcome the natural limitations of soft lead and remains a little smudgeable.

Click below to see all tip size and lead grade options for the three mechanical pencil lead lines mentioned above.

See Mechanical Pencil Lead Grade Table

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Lead Holder Lead Grades

Lead holders allow for softer leads to be utilized, great for artists who want the convenience of mechanical pencils.

For artists who want the convenience of mechanical pencils, lead holders are an ideal compromise. Lead holders typically house leads 2 mm and up, so soft leads won’t crumble. With lead holders, more of the lead can be extended during use, making them similar to wooden pencils in terms of techniques that an artist is able to employ.

For more information on lead holders, see our Guide to Lead Holders.

The Best Lead Holder: Uni Mitsubishi Lead Holder

Uni Mitsubishi Lead Holders offer the widest variety of lead grades.

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The Uni Mitsubishi Lead Holder is great for beginners looking to expand their lead holder collections! This line of lead holders features a nice variety of lead grades, from 4B to 4H. The clicker has a different color for every lead grade, so finding the right lead holder is fast and easy. The 2 mm tip size is good for fine detail work when sharpened and also sturdy enough to be used on its side for coloring and shading.

For something a little more sophisticated, the all-metal Staedtler Silver Lead Holder has a nice weight and silver finish that gives it a luxurious feel. Staedtler recommends filling the lead holder with their Carbon Lead refills, but it is refillable with most 2 mm leads.

There are fewer lead grades offered in the Carbon line, but the lead has more grip, giving the writer more control when writing.

Also Consider: Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Lead Holder

The dark lead of the Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Lead Holder makes for dynamic drawings.

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If you prefer a thicker lead, the Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Lead Holder writes with a bold 5.6 mm lead diameter. This doesn’t stop you from creating more delicate drawings, as the built-in lead pointer can create a fine tip. For large areas of shading, the side of the lead works wonderfully. The soft 5B lead included with the Sketch Up builds in layers for dark, emphatic shading.

At this size of lead, the grade range is limited. Available in addition to the included 5B lead are HB leads and a number of bright colors. If you plan to sketch in time-sensitive settings like life drawing warm-ups, we find the sturdy weight of the Sketch Up’s metal construction doesn’t impede quick, energetic lines.

Click below to see all tip size and lead grade options for the three lead holder lines mentioned above.

See Lead Holder Lead Grade Table

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Other Resources

Conclusion

We hope you’ve enjoyed this look into the wonderful world of pencil lead and lead grades. Whether it’s for wooden pencils, mechanical pencils, or lead holders, lead grade is an important consideration for both writers and artists. What is your preferred writing instrument and lead grade combination? Let us know in the comments below!

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The JetPens Pencil Starter Kit includes not only pencils but sharpeners, pencil caps, and an eraser.

Still not sure what to try? Check out our Wooden Pencil Samplers for some of our most popular wooden pencils. From starter sets to sets based on lead grade, these kits will help you rediscover the joys of using a wooden pencil!

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Mechanical pencil users can try the JetPens Mechanical Pencil Lead Sampler that includes mixed lead grades.

Alternatively, if you’re a mechanical pencil user, check out our Mechanical Pencil Lead Samplers. They offer selections of our favorite leads in HB or B. You can also test out a mix of lead grades to see which you like the best.

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	Lead Grades	Best For	Add to Cart
Tombow 2558 Pencil	H, HB, B	Writing	Add Items to Cart
Uni Mitsubishi 9850 Pencil with Eraser	HB	Writing	Add to Cart
Staedtler Mars Lumograph Graphite Pencil	10H, 9H, 8H, 7H, 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B, 11B, 12B	Art	Add Items to Cart
Uni Mitsubishi Hi-Uni Pencil	10H, 9H, 8H, 7H, 6H, 5H, 4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B, 5B, 6B, 7B, 8B, 9B, 10B	Art	Add Items to Cart
Pentel Ain Stein Lead	4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B	Writing, Art details	Add Items to Cart
Uni Smudge-Proof Lead	4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B	Writing, Art details	Add Items to Cart
Pilot Neox High-Purity Graphite Pencil Lead	4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B	Writing, Art details	Add Items to Cart
Uni Mitsubishi Lead Holder	4H, 3H, 2H, H, F, HB, B, 2B, 3B, 4B	Art	Add Items to Cart
Staedtler Silver Series 925-25 Lead Holder	HB	Art	Add Items to Cart
Kaweco Sketch Up Clutch Pencil	5B	Art	Add Items to Cart