![]() ![]() Most pencil manufacturers set their own internal standards for graphite hardness grades and overall quality of the core, some differences are regional. Thus, a #2 or HB pencil from one brand will not necessarily leave the same mark as a #2 or HB pencil from another brand. In reality however, there is no specific industry standard for the darkness of the mark to be left within the HB or any other hardness grade scale. Generally, an HB grade about the middle of the scale is considered to be equivalent to a #2 pencil using the U.S. For example, a 4B would be softer than a 2B and a 3H harder than an H. The higher the number the harder the writing core and the lighter the mark left on the paper.Historically, pencil makers also use combinations of letters - a pencil marked “HB” is hard and black a pencil marked “HH” is very hard, and a pencil marked “HHBBB” is very hard and really, really black! Although today most pencils using the HB system are designated by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. Using this scale, the hardness of the core is often marked on the pencil - look for a number (such as “2” “2-1/2” or “3”). How can you tell the hardness of a pencil core? 0.5 mm is the most common mechanical pencil size, so it gives you the widest variety of pencil features and styles to choose from. This size offers a great balance of precision and strength that works well with most people’s handwriting. What’s the best size for a mechanical pencil?īoth sizes are suitable for drawing details at most sketching sizes. Here is a table showing how all of the American pencil grades correspond to the international HB grading scale. 0.5 mm leads will fall right through a 0.7 mm pencil, and 0.7 mm leads will jam a 0.5 mm pencil. Make sure to get leads that are the right size for your pencil. How big of a lead do you need for a 0.5 mm pencil? 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. The letter “B” is used to indicate the blackness of a pencil’s mark (a darker mark means a softer lead).Ī pencil’s location on the HB graphite grading scale depends on the hardness of its graphite core. The letter “H” is used to indicate the hardness of a pencil’s mark. Most pencil manufacturers utilize the HB grading system. What pencils are not number 2?ġ pencils, HB = No. A thicker, 0.7mm lead, meanwhile, may be better for sketching and non-detailed drawing. For writing and most drawing, you’ll probably prefer a 0.5mm lead. If you wish to draw very fine lines, you’ll want to go for a 0.3mm lead. Are HB and 2 pencils the same?Īlthough today most pencils using the HB system are designated by a number such as 2B, 4B or 2H to indicate the degree of hardness. The lead wouldn’t stay in place if you tried to write anything, and it might even fall out of the pencil. Since the 0.7 mm pencil was designed for a 0.7 mm lead, the 0.5 mm lead would slip through the tip. The more H’s you have, the harder the lead and the lighter the lines.Ĭan you use 0.5 lead in a 0.7 pencil? No, you can’t. According to this system, pencils are graded on a continuum for “H” (hardness) and “B” (blackness), with a number to say how hard or how black it is. Generally, a #2 pencil is about the equivalent of an HB pencil. ![]() ![]() Popular brands include BIC mechanical pencils and Pentel mechanical pencils. Mechanical lead pencils use standard #2 lead, which is made from graphite, so it’s able to be used for standardized tests and other uses that require this type of lead. The softest lead that is available to fit in a pencil is 120 /a3 0.7 mm. For drawing,use 0.5mm leads, because they’re more precise than the 0.7mm leads. The 0.7mm leads are thicker, which is better for people who tend to press hard on the pencil when writing. Do you? Yes, it’s equivalent to a #2 pencil. The #2 refers to hardness of the lead, so it depends on the lead you use in the pencil – if you buy HB leads – whether 0.5 mm or 0.07 mm or 0.09 mm – that is equivalent to #2 there are other designations such as B or H which are different. How can you tell the hardness of a pencil core?Ī standard, hexagonal, “#2 pencil” is cut to a hexagonal height of 1⁄4-inch (6 mm), but the outer diameter is slightly larger (about 9⁄32-inch (7 mm)) A standard, #2, hexagonal pencil is 19 cm (7.5 in) long.How big of a lead do you need for a 0.5 mm pencil?. ![]()
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