Climbing tools
Climbing Grade Converter
Convert climbing grades between the systems used around the world. Pick a grade and see the equivalent instantly. Bouldering uses the V-scale and Font, while sport and trad routes use French and YDS. Grades are subjective, so treat every conversion as a close approximation rather than an exact match.
Bouldering grades
V-scale V0 is about Font 4.
| V-scale | Font |
|---|---|
| V0 | 4 |
| V1 | 5 |
| V2 | 5+ |
| V3 | 6A |
| V4 | 6B |
| V5 | 6C |
| V6 | 7A |
| V7 | 7A+ |
| V8 | 7B |
| V9 | 7C |
| V10 | 7C+ |
| V11 | 8A |
| V12 | 8A+ |
| V13 | 8B |
| V14 | 8B+ |
| V15 | 8C |
| V16 | 8C+ |
| V17 | 9A |
Sport and trad grades
French 4 is about YDS 5.5.
| French | YDS |
|---|---|
| 4 | 5.5 |
| 5 | 5.7 |
| 5+ | 5.9 |
| 6a | 5.10a |
| 6a+ | 5.10b |
| 6b | 5.10c |
| 6b+ | 5.10d |
| 6c | 5.11a |
| 6c+ | 5.11c |
| 7a | 5.11d |
| 7a+ | 5.12a |
| 7b | 5.12b |
| 7b+ | 5.12c |
| 7c | 5.12d |
| 7c+ | 5.13a |
| 8a | 5.13b |
| 8a+ | 5.13c |
| 8b | 5.13d |
| 8b+ | 5.14a |
| 8c | 5.14b |
| 8c+ | 5.14c |
| 9a | 5.14d |
| 9a+ | 5.15a |
| 9b | 5.15b |
| 9b+ | 5.15c |
| 9c | 5.15d |
Grades are subjective and vary between gyms and crags, so every conversion here is a close approximation, not an exact rule. Bouldering and roped grades measure different kinds of climbing, so they are shown as two separate charts.
Common questions
What is V5 in Font?
V5 is roughly Font 6C. Grades are approximate, so treat it as a range rather than an exact match.
What is 6a in YDS?
French 6a is roughly YDS 5.10a.
Can you convert a bouldering grade to a rope grade?
Not really. Bouldering grades (V-scale, Font) and roped grades (French, YDS) measure different kinds of climbing, so there is no direct conversion between them.
Are climbing grade conversions exact?
No. Grades are subjective and vary between gyms and crags, so any conversion is an approximation.
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