Grade conversion
What is V10 in French?
When people say a boulder grade in French, they usually mean the Font (Fontainebleau) scale, and V10 is roughly Font 7C+.
Font bouldering grades (7C+) and French sport grades (6a, 7b and so on) look similar but are different scales, so do not mix them up.
Bouldering grades
V-scale V10 is about Font 7C+.
V9 to V11: The top of the amateur range. Climbers here usually train with a plan, pay attention to skin and rest, and work single problems over many sessions.
Full V-scale to Font chart
| 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 4 to 5+ (YDS 5.5 to 5.9): Beginner-course terrain. Routes in this band are mostly about getting comfortable with the rope, the height and your belayer rather than about hard moves.
Full French to YDS chart
| 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 this is a close approximation, not an exact rule.
More conversions
Prefer the full tool? Use the climbing grade converter, or read our guide on how climbing grades work.