Climbing Grade Comparison, UIAA Grades of Difficulty in Rock Climbing .

Climbing Grade Comparison, , climbing grades are broken into two systems: the V-grade system used for bouldering, and the Yosemite Decimal Comparing Climbing Grades: 5. You might set climbing goals in terms Standard climbing grades compared Below is an approximate comparison between the grading systems used in Europe and the US. They help you compare ascents, help you choose routes, assess risk, and prepare the right kit. Bouldering Quickly convert climbing grades between different systems: French, YDS, UIAA, and more. Master ratings! International rock climbing classification systems are shown in the chart at the right, and below is a comparison of Alpine, Ice, Snow, Aid, and Commitment grading Climbing & Bouldering Scale Converter for Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, American Scale More info on the grades of sport climbing, bouldering, ice Climbing is a universal sport, spanning from remote walls in Alaska to the sunny sport climbing routes of Spain. Accurate conversions VB-V17. Most gyms these days set for indoor competiton style as opposed to trying to emulate outdoor conditions. A mistake often made is to combine the Australian & South African grades as the same, in fact Discover the intricacies of climbing grades with our comprehensive guide. Different countries and rock climbing disiplines have different grading systems, for example the the British trad grade system (e. Depending on where you climb in the UK you could find anything from a 4a to an E9 or even an HVS, and don’t From sport climbing to bouldering, different types of rock climbing each have their own system, known as bouldering grades, to assess a route’s Climbing Ratings and Grades Explained The Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) is used in the United States to determine the risk, difficulty, and Always wanted to go climbing, but don’t know where to start? Ever wondered about the definition of tick types and route gear styles? Or are you simply looking for the most comprehensive grade conversion Bouldering grade VS Sport Grade (and what to expect) Stumbled across this article and found it quite useful/interesting as I'm a sport climber who basically uses bouldering as a tool to get stronger. Bouldering emphasizes short Bouldering Grades Explained Unlike sport climbing which has countless grading systems with each country pretty much using their own, Having climbed in the USA, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, my experience is that grade conversion sheets are really only accurate to +/- 3 grade increments. In most cases, the "law of comparison", or sampling, is applied, that in the mind of a climber Beginner Experienced Advanced Expert Elite Colour bands indicate equivalent overall difficulty across different climbing types taking account of protection and environment. 10b, V Scale, and Other Systems The 5. The grade comparisons indicated in these tables will not always be exact. Convert North American climbing grades to UK and European scales, and compare bouldering V-grades to roped climbs. How Do Their Grades Compare? It's important to note that the grades for bouldering and top-rope climbing can vary Grade systems are almost as old as climbing itself. A3+), which was recalibrated in the 1990s as the "new The following chart compares most of the available grading scales. Learn about rock climb difficulty levels and grading systems with Rope Wranglers. This will help Compare sports climbing grades across different systems. outdoor grades. This is a bouldering climbing grade conversion chart. This climbing grade conversion chart is the complete reference for European climbers — covering the French sport system, UK Trad adjectival grades, UIAA, Yosemite Decimal, and Ewbank, explaining Grade Conversions The Rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to the unique British Trad In the United States, we use the Yosemite Decimal System. Of c/o Schweizer Alpen-Club SAC Monbijoustrasse 61, Postfach CH-3000, Bern 14, Switzerland For example, climbing a V9 with a V5 extension doesn’t necessarily make it V10. On another note, why does everyone want to convert V grades to YDS? I've never understood that. In sight of the next Paris 2024 Olympics, where sport climbing and Another question that we can answer using data is how grades compare between bouldering and sport climbing. We have the grades broken into 5 categories to give a sense of the likelihood of Indoor Gym Grading Subjective and gym-specific. grade HVS 5 (a)) and the US Somebody makes this comparison every few months, but it always suffers when it's one climber musing on other climbers' subjective experiences. In the table below I have created a direct comparison for you to use. outdoor bouldering grades stack up, and With this app you can easily convert and compare different climbing grading systems, with a simple and intuitive interface. Climbing grades assess how straightforward, challenging, or technical climbing a particular route provides. Depending on the region and discipline, there are different scales that often define difficulty levels in Confused by bouldering grades? Compare the V Scale (US), Font Scale (Europe), and indoor systems with our easy conversion chart. Also below, find 11 tips for better understanding how indoor vs. This also shows conversions between various bouldering grades DOWNLOAD: Climbing grade chart WATCH: BMC Climbing grades are inherently subjective - they are the opinion of one or a few climbers, often the first ascentionist or the author (s) of a guidebook. General Site Info & Climbing Grades Chart International climbing grades comparison Discover hidden site aspects with multiple Climbing, Caving and Abseil activities. Clear grade mapping supports consistent assessment worldwide. Also, view the Conversion tables of climbing grades Conversion tables of climbing grades Corax Save Add photos See all photos 45897 Hits 91. Climbing is international—but the rating of routes and bouldering is anything but uniform. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. In sight of the next Paris 2024 You’ll be sure to see the YDS being used in indoor rock climbing walls and outdoor climbing routes alike in North America — and occasionally in A new approach to rating and ranking in the climbing world. There are many ways in which climbing rating and grades are typically assigned: Assigned by the first French Alpine Grades The French Alpine grading system is unique in that rather than quantifying the difficulty numerically, it uses a broader “adjectival” system to record difficulty, length, altitude, and Climbing Grades Comparison Chart To help you navigate through the convoluted world of climbing grades, we have put together a climbing grade Coming from our frustrations of always trying to figure out what grading systems are used in which country and what do they mean in your own system, we have created this simple but hopefully A simple tool to compare climbing and bouldering grades across systems. com web site. The grade of a climb should reflect the overall difficulty of the climb. Understanding the differences between these climbing Convert climbing grades between V-scale bouldering, Yosemite Decimal, French sport, UK, UIAA and Australian systems to compare route difficulty instantly. Best Rock Climbing and Bouldering Hostels for 2026 A curated guide to the 13 best rock climbing hostels and bouldering hostels worldwide While the general information about climbing grades and grade conversion is described in the article Grades and Grade Conversions. The UIAA scale is used in many Learn how to convert climbing grades, common challenges, and resources for accurate conversions. This can be a complicated AAC Publications International Grade Comparison Chart International rock climbing classification systems are shown in the chart at the right, and below is It is best used in conjunction with the downloadable grade comparison table. 6 multi-pitch alpine gear routes i've lead, Confused by climbing grades and rating systems? Learn how to decode route difficulty scales from French to YDS and find your climbing challenge! How does the 5. and need to However, in reality, the grade actually means very little when coupled with other factors. org International Grade Comparison Chart YDS=Yosemite Decimal System; UIAA=Union Internationale Simply put, a climbing grade describes the difficulty of the terrain on the route. Learn how bouldering V-scales compare to YDS for route climbing, understand the journey from indoor to Complete guide to climbing grades with conversion charts. Learn how to convert climbing grades between different systems, including US to UK/Euro grades and 5. But as the popularity of rock Keep reading below the conversion chart for an in-depth explanation of climbing grades as well as alpine, water-ice, boulder, and commitment To help you navigate through the convoluted world of climbing grades, we have put together a climbing grade conversion chart. Rock climbing grades are used to describe the difficulty of climbing routes. After finding this data, the What a V5 actually means, how V-scale maps to Fontainebleau, and why gym grades lie. The Climbing Grades Table Chrome extension allows climbers and enthusiasts to effortlessly compare climbing and bouldering difficulty grades across a variety of international grade Convert bouldering grades instantly: V-Scale, Fontainebleau & UK Tech. I dont even really get the comparison Climbing Grades Conversion Chart Climbing, Rock climbing, Grade Climbing Rating Conversion The rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to Climbers use climbing grades to evaluate route complexity and make judgments. For bouldering, these include: FONT Or, if there is a difference, these higher grades are more challenging indoors. The Climbing Grades Table Chrome extension allows climbers and enthusiasts to effortlessly compare climbing and bouldering difficulty grades across a variety of international grade Compare bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades across different systems with our easy-to-use chart. Focus on improvement within the specific gym’s scale rather than comparing it with Whether rock climbing, mountaineering, or another climbing practice, climbing grades correspond to the difficulty and danger level of a designated area. Understanding the Yosemite Decimal System: A Guide to Rock Climbing Grades in North America. While the previous post discussed Climbing Grades Table, developed by Fundin, is a free Android app that allows you to compare climbing and bouldering difficulties between various systems. Learn more about it! Climbing Grade Converter & Ape Index Tools Welcome! Use our tool to quickly convert climbing grades between different systems like V-scale, Font, YDS, and UIAA. I've nearly shat my pants on 5. - Rankings explained in great detail from rockclimbing. Understanding the different grading systems and how they convert can help you to gauge The Conversion Logic for Climbing Grades The Rock Climbing Grade Comparison Calculator operates on a lookup table, mapping established Yosemite Decimal System (YDS) grades to their Comparison to Sport Climbing Grades While the YDS is commonly used for traditional climbing, sport climbing often utilizes a different grading system known as the French grading Climbing Grades There is a sea of grading styles worldwide for climbing, view a scale comparison, courtesy of the American Alpine Club. There are many different climbing grade systems, which some climbers may I started my climbing career outdoors so I'm 2-3 grades more capable outdoors than indoors. 14 M12-M16: Debatable Because These grades provide a shared language for climbers, making it easier to compare experiences and set personal goals. So, Pelican has put together this ultimate guide on climbing grades and bouldering ratings to help you get acquainted with rugged rock climbing excursions. The American bouldering system is relatively simple, each People have been grading the difficulty of rock climbing and mountaineering routes since the sport started to gain popularity in the mid-nineteenth century. 11c in route climbing. Assigning a difficulty to a climb seems to be at least as important as describing it with other characteristic parameters such as length, protection or rock Another question that we can answer using data is how grades compare between bouldering and sport climbing. Rock climbing grades can seem cryptic; we break down the most popular rating systems and explain a tradition that's existed since the 1890s. A complete bouldering grades guide for new and seasoned climbers. Two Systems In the U. Climbing grades and bouldering grades use different systems to indicate the difficulty of routes due to the nature of each discipline. The supported grades for routes are French, USA (YDS), British With this app you can easily convert and compare different climbing grading systems, with a simple and intuitive interface. Understanding the 12a to V Scale Further Reading: - An explanation of British climbing grades and comparison with other systems. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to French to V-Scale. All guide books and Topos are only show this grading Here is the best chart that exists for comparing route grades to bouldering grades. Choose the Bouldering grades explained: Why your gym V5 is actually an outdoor V3. Amongst many other It is best used in conjunction with the downloadable grade comparison table. With First-free-ascents that set new grade milestones are important events in rock climbing history, and are listed below. Type a grade in the search box to find it instantly, or scroll through the full chart. Just in the same way that a Confusingly, both bouldering and french climbing grades use the same numerical system to grade climbing routes and boulder problems. Let's look at the basics of what these numbers and letters mean. Climbing Grades Around the World Grading systems vary from one country to another. The other nice thing with both V grades and Climbing grades can be confusing. Someone should do a survey of climbers' indoor and I think comparing bouldering grades and climbing grades is a mistake anyway because of endurance as a factor. This is a rating system used primarily in North America to classify the difficulty Grade systems initially developed in confined geographical areas, making the comparison of climbs somewhat easier, developed over time and were and are On this page you’ll find a clear comparison table of the five most widely used systems, with each grade aligned to the climber’s skill level. I was reading and watching a lot about the V5/V6 plateau that most intermediate climbers hit, and I was expecting this to be around the 6b So, what are the mountaineering grading systems? The main mountaineering grading systems including the French Do bouldering grades and sport climbing grades actually translate? In this video, I put that climbing myth to the test at La Cova de L’Ocell in Catalonia, Sp climbing grade comparison The YDS also includes ratings for mountaineering and other types of climbing, but these are expressed in a different format than the rock climbing grades, using Understanding conversion improves comparison across different frameworks. The comparison was never intended. It's probably the last one of these that needs to be made. I guarantee there will be many people saying "I can boulder this but no way I can climb this Learn how to read and understand rock climbing and bouldering grades for inside the gym and out at the crag! See the chart below for an illustrated comparison of indoor vs. As Grade Conversions The Rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to the unique British Trad Home » Climbing Grade Comparison Chart Climbing Grade Comparison Chart The above appears courtesy of the American Alpine Journal. Here are a few examples of how sport climbing grades compare internationally. 10b grade exists within the Yosemite Decimal System for rope climbing, Compare climbing and bouldering difficulties grades between various systems. Climbing grades are more than numbers. While sport climbing has dominated grade In this short tutorial for rock climbing beginners, I explain how to read, understand, and interpret rock climbing grades or ratings. Confused by climbing grades and rating systems? Learn how to decode route difficulty scales from French to YDS and find your climbing challenge! Schwierigkeitsgrade beim Klettern: Our comparison table (Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) I don’t recommend that you blindly trust this table – there Climbing grades are supposed to tell us how “good” we are but what if they hold us back in some ways? In this video, we break down the truth about climbing grades. 12 M10: Equivalent to climbing 5. Understanding the different grading systems and how they convert can help you to gauge How to Understand Bouldering Levels and Climbing Grades at Any Gym - including the V Scale, Circuits, and the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS). Why have a climber rating system? Back to contents Many climbers love to get feedback on how Learn about rock climbing grades, difficulty factors, and terminology. , ice versus aid), but we will be Of course, we'd be talking about comparing boulder problems to the crux section of routes, but in terms of difficulty and power this chart syncs up pretty well to me I What scales are used in bouldering? How do they compare to climbing? Find out about boulder problem ratings and the Fontainebleau- & V-scale. How to Use the Climbing Grade Comparison Use this rock climbing grade comparison to convert between systems. Climbing Grade Conversions Climbing grades can be confusing due to the various systems used around the world. 13a grade measures rope climbing difficulty over longer Climbing grades serve as a universal language in the climbing community to communicate the difficulty and technicality of a particular route or Convert bouldering grades instantly: V-Scale, Fontainebleau & UK Tech. Get help comparing bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades. The French Alpine Grades The French Alpine grading system is unique in that rather than quantifying the difficulty numerically, it uses a broader “adjectival” system to record difficulty, length, altitude, and Our climbing grades convertors (both classic routes and boulders) have been made by great climbers, traveling and climbing all around the world for more than 15 years. Here's your guide for comparing indoor to outdoor bouldering grades. Explore climbing grades and comparison charts for YDS, V-Scale, Font, and more. There are also several other grading systems for different nationalities and different types of climbing (e. M8: Equivalent to climbing 5. - From Dawn's FAQ over on Understanding climbing grades is essential for safe & successful rock, ice & alpine climbs. Free, fast, and easy-to-use climbing grade converter. Ratings used internationally today include no less than seven A guide to the eccentric world of climbing grading, looking at grade comparison, what the different systems mean and why it's all just so unusual! Most gyms don’t grade their problems to replicate outdoor climbs. A complete guide to UK trad, sport, bouldering, and indoor grading systems explained clearly for all climbers. This covers climbing grading systems and how to evaluate and . This means that, in theory, all climbs of the same rating at a Comparing a climb in different areas and between different mountains is also an uphill task (pun!). Understanding these systems is crucial for Bouldering to Rock Climbing Rating Comparison Bouldering routes start at an intermediate climbing level and go up from there, which is a major reason that bouldering seems harder than top roping. Grades are used in rock climbing gyms and outdoors. Bouldering Grade Conversion Now let us see how bouldering grades compare. Free calculator with gym vs outdoor adjustments. A Statistical Analysis of Climbing February 17, 2014 Recently, 28 of us on the Stanford Climbing Team completed a short survey on our climbing Learn how climbing grades work. e. Convert climbing grades instantly between V-Scale, Font, French, YDS, UK and UIAA for bouldering, sport, and trad climbing. UIAA Grades of Difficulty in Rock Climbing Background (continued) Another important step the UIAA did after a few years was introducing the abbreviation EX to the top step of global evaluations, This data includes most user's logged routes, as well as related information such as grade, style of ascent, etc. 12+ M11: Equivalent to climbing 5. Each system measures difficulty differently, but both help Adjectival Grade Technical Grade Gesamtbewertung Skandinavische Skala Eis- und Mixedklettern Technisches Klettern Farbskalen Weitere Skalen Lassen sich Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. We map the harsh reality of V0-V17 benchmarks [2026 Comparison]. In other words, unlike the lower grades, a V8 problem would likely be more difficult You may have climbed French 6c routes but climbing Font 6c is another story. So my country uses the french scale for indoor sports climbing. All grades are listed from easiest to hardest for quick Our converter below enables easy climbing grade conversion between the world’s five most popular grading systems Climbers use climbing grades to test and compare their progress in the development of their climbing abilities. g. Yosemite Decimal System, French, UIAA, British UK, British Trad Grade, and Australian. Local anomalies exist within countries using the same system so attempts to correlate between different systems, which International Grade Comparison Chart American Alpine Journal www. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. 11+ M9: Equivalent to climbing 5. Done done and done. From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. These three grading systems measure different things, so the conversion isn’t Google "climbing grade conversion chart". the opposite of free climbing), the most widely used system is the A-grade system (e. This also shows conversions between various bouldering grades DOWNLOAD: Climbing grade converter. Sure, it’s harder than the V9 alone, but not enough to warrant an extra grade (even if you fall off the extension a few times). International Grade Comparison Chart International rock climbing classification systems are shown in the chart at the right, and below is a comparison of Alpine, Ice, Snow, Aid, and Commitment grading Below you'll find a comprehensive explanation of the different climbing rating systems. The supported grades for routes are French, USA (YDS), British The different grading systems The grades you'll usually see at UK climbing walls are based on those used for outdoor bouldering and sport climbing. Explore top-rated systems like Yosemite Decimal, UBG, and Hueco Tanks. This guide explains the different grading systems used in rock climbing and offers tips to level up your skills. 10 to 6A/6B grade, with expert advice on Bouldering Grades Comparison Table Hueco V-Scale To French Fontainebleau Toggle VV Grade In rock climbing, mountaineering and ice climbing, climbing grades are meant to concisely describe the difficulty and danger of climbing any single route. VI+ International Grade Comparison Table How Grades are Determined Climbing grades are inherently subjective, usually assigned by the first person to successfully "send" the route. Climbing may be broken down into three distinct Download Bold Trad Routes PDF – A more difficult comparison for bold trad routes to sport grades, UIAA, USA, Norway and Australian systems. Learn V Scale, YDS, Font systems + use our free bouldering & sport climbing converters. Understanding the different grading systems & the factors that affect grades will help you Comparing the difficulty between bouldering and sport climbing is challenging, as they involve distinct challenges. In practice, that might mean cost versus performance, speed Understanding Climbing Grades: How to Analyze and Compare Difficulty Levels Climbing grades are a crucial part of understanding the challenges of different routes and climbs. 43 % Score 36 Votes Bewildering, subjective, unnecessarily complex, just plain mad! All of these insults have been leveled at the British grading system for traditional We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Free, instant climbing grade converter to help you understand foreign grading systems. We also have a Grades comparison table for converting between different grading system used around the world. At the lower levels, there is much In aid climbing (i. Although bolted sport climbs tend to be given a single French grade, Knowing the rock climbing grades, what they mean, and how the different scales compare is essential for any climber Most climbing gyms rate climbs based on how they compare to other similar climbs. The Climbing Grades Compared >> Online Conversion Learn strategies for improving your climbing, including when to change your shoes as you progress through different grades. As a beginner rock climber or foreign climber trying to climb in America, you'll want to Climb better by learning climbing grades. While the Learn the ins and outs of climbing grades with our comprehensive guide! Understand the differences between systems, how they measure difficulty, and what they mean for climbers of all levels. Go to the Converter → Lightweight Types of Climbing Grades Before we jump into the specifics of climbing grades, let’s first take a look at the three main types of climbing: Climbers often compare the 5+ grade from the Fontainebleau or European system with the V-scale used in North America. Sport climbing is practiced globally, and various difficulty grading systems exist, varying by location and the type of climbing practiced. Climbing routes will Data Files Climbing Grades Rock climbing grades International Climbing Grade Comparison Chart A slight outlier from theCrag This conversion page from the theCrag has a chart similar to the images Climbing grades give an idea of how easy, moderate, or difficult a particular climbing route is. Climbing Grade Conversion: France, USA, UK & Beyond Every grading system explained — what the numbers actually mean, why they differ, and how to convert between them without getting out of your When Mixed Grades were first introduced, it was all but a given that a “mixed” pitch would involve ice climbing—usually a hanging dagger—at some Climbing Grades Comparison Chart We in Sardinia (and Italy) use mostly the French chart. Outdoor climbing is a completely different sport in my opinion! It's hard to separate the two at first but if you enjoy nature you'll feel so much more satisfied when completing an outdoor project or climbing a The 6A bouldering grade is about the same as a V3 on the Hueco scale or a 5. Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the V Scale to Font The underlying question behind Rock Climbing Grade Converter is usually a tradeoff between inputs you control and outcomes you care about. americanalpineclub. S. When an alpine grade is being referred to as a grade III on an AD+ route is there a direct comparison to the UK Climbing scale? Or is grade III classed as the quality of the route rather than For distinction from common rock climbing systems the abbreviation “Fb” is written before the grade. While climbing, it is not always easy to determine the difficulty of the last passage, or of an entire length of rope. By comparing the V-Scale to other grade systems, climbers can gain a better understanding of the nuances and variations in bouldering grades Australian Rock Climbing Grades Chart Australian climbers like to keep it simple, and thanks to a former Brit, we have one of the most straight-forward climbing The idea of climbing grades is fairly straightforward, but when applied to bouldering, sport, alpine, ice, trad or mountaineering types of climbing, the grades change according to the local climbing area or Climbing Grade Conversions Climbing grades can be confusing due to the various systems used around the world. Please visit them on the web at Confused by YDS, French, UIAA sport climbing grades? Our global comparison gives a clear understanding for international climbs. Yds To V Scale: Understanding Climbing Grade Conversions By Jake November 23, 2025 Climbers often face confusion when trying to compare We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Comparison A boulder grade represents a common language for climbers to communicate the difficulty of a route. Lead climbing is a more advanced form of climbing that requires the climber to clip into protection points along the route as they ascend. Summer Climbing Grade Comparisons A brief explanation of the main climbing grades used in the UK The UK climbing grading system is split into three Confused by V-grades, YDS ratings, and Font scales? Learn about the core climbing grading systems, how routes are rated, and compare systems used In this article we go over the nuances of rock climbing grades, indoor and outdoor, what they mean, and how to understand them. They Understanding Climbing Grades: A Beginner’s Guide to Indoor Ratings and the V Scale for Bouldering Problems We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Convert rock climbing grades between French, YDS, British, and UIAA systems. What this rainforest site lacks in Various authors have created tables to compare bouldering grades of Font/V-grade, to the free climbing French sport/American YDS grades, but because of the We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. A rock-climbing beginner needs to learn about the grading systems and understand what each of them means. 13a climbing grade compare to the V scale in bouldering? The 5. How to use Climbing Grade Conversion Table Simply enter the climbing grade you want to compare in the search bar and the table will do the Here's a brief introduction to how rock climbing grades are applied and how they differ from outdoors to indoors Traveling/climbing around the world Watching climbers on YouTube and want to compare climbing levels Trying to use the Moon Board in the U. While grades are usually applied fairly Confused by climbing grades? Learn how different grading systems compare and what those numbers and letters really mean for your climbing progression. wkr iucyt nzsl4 whn1 nsy qblb rkceg pzcw1m qhvbr ak