Bouldering grades comparison. Please visit them on the web at www.
Bouldering grades comparison e. Learn how bouldering V-scales compare to YDS for route climbing, understand the journey from indoor to outdoor climbing, and explore international grading systems. In my experience, if you take the gym grade and subtract 2 (+/-1) that pretty accurately pegs 90%+ of the bouldering I've done on real rock (which covers V0-V6/7 outdoor grades all over the country). Use video analysis to improve technique For boulder Intermediate climbers aiming to overcome the challenges of Bouldering Grade V5, these training tips are crucial for enhancing skills, strength, and performance in bouldering difficulty. 4 in mountain boots and be comfortable climbing rock, snow and ice in crampons, and fit to go climb for 4-6 hours AD (assez difficile): Fairly hard. Aid climbing grades take time to stabilize as successive repeats of aid climbing routes can materially reduce the grade. Ultimately though, grades shouldn’t define your skills but rather be used as a way to get systematically more skilled at the sport. The Rockfax grade tables offer a flexible and accurate comparison from the main world grading systems to the unique British Trad Grade and UK Tech Grade. This data is helpful to prevent injuries, and better prepare your finger strength for various climbing grades from medium (v5-v10), to difficult (v10-v14), to elite (v1 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. Whether UIAA, French, YDS, Fontainebleau (Fb), V-Grade, British Trad, or Scandinavian: Each grading system has its origins, logic, and scope. Bouldering Grades – A Comparison Both new and seasoned climbers struggle with grading systems that is why I have created the bouldering grades guide and comparison table. Below you will find a table that compares the different climbing grades across the five most popular systems. Unfortunately, bordering grades aren’t universal. Overview of Climbing Grading Systems Climbing grades vary by region and discipline. Mar 9, 2023 · Once you reach the top end of the intermediate grades, you’ll begin to start tackling some difficult challenges. Apr 27, 2025 · The comparison highlights the physical and technical demands of sport routes versus short bouldering sequences. Sep 16, 2021 · Everything you ever wanted to know about bouldering grades in one place, including a bouldering grade conversion chart from the V Scale to Font Scale. This chart is designed to be used with the American Alpine Journal to help decipher the difficulty ratings given to climbs. Oct 12, 2020 · Wondering how climbs are graded by setters? Or maybe you want to learn what V means in bouldering. Here you can learn about the different types of bouldering grading systems. Aug 18, 2017 · In this article we go over the nuances of rock climbing grades, indoor and outdoor, what they mean, and how to understand them. The most commonly used Apr 10, 2025 · Our expert guide to climbing rating systems will help you compare trad to sport, America to Europe, bouldering, scrambling, dry tooling and everything in between Jun 5, 2023 · That’s why we have put together this short, no BS, guide on bouldering grades explained. Are bouldering grades colored the same at every gym? Dan gets harder as the number ascends, and is open-ended on the harder side. Sep 25, 2023 · Climbing is a universal sport, spanning from remote walls in Alaska to the sunny sport climbing routes of Spain. The number indicates the general difficulty, while the letter and plus/minus provide more specific refinement within that grade, with higher numbers and letters representing harder climbs. V1, 5. Jun 23, 2024 · By comparing the V-Scale to other grade systems, climbers can gain a better understanding of the nuances and variations in bouldering grades worldwide. Convert bouldering grades on the go with this easy to use chart. This lead climbing grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from YDS to French and back to French to Yosemite. font I also from France and uses the same grades so it's a bit confusing but that's just the way it is Aug 24, 2025 · Understanding climbing grades is essential for safe & successful rock, ice & alpine climbs. Grade systems initially developed in confined geographical areas, making the comparison of climbs somewhat easier, developed over time and were and are constantly extended as climbers manage to ascent harder and harder climbs. Aug 11, 2025 · Climbing is international—but the rating of routes and bouldering is anything but uniform. On top of that, some indoor gyms also use their own grading system. Comparison of Indoor Climbing Grades Feb 9, 2024 · Bouldering grades can either be the bane of your existence or can push you to climb harder. National Climbing Classification System (USA): Apr 29, 2024 · Learn everything about climbing grades and quickly convert any climbing rating with our free climbing grade conversion chart. Including Grade Wike & Table. This guide delves deep into the world of rock climbing grades, offering insights into their origins, variations, and how they compare internationally Home » Climbing Grade Comparison Chart Climbing Grade Comparison Chart The above appears courtesy of the American Alpine Journal. They help you compare ascents, help you choose routes, assess risk, and prepare the right kit. In this article we explain the pros and cons of each! An explanation fo the main two main bouldering grades systems: Font and V including the history of bouldering grades and why they're used. Confused by YDS, French, UIAA sport climbing grades? Our global comparison gives a clear understanding for international climbs. Understanding the different grading systems and how they convert can help you to gauge the difficulty of routes across different regions. Familiarise yourself with the differences. aid climbing equipment is used but only where the equipment is temporary and not permanently hammered into the rock), the most common system is the C-system (e. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. C3+). From V0 to V15, unlock the secrets of difficulty ratings and elevate your climbing game. For "clean aid climbing" (i. Learn your grades and apply them to your climbing and problem setting. They usually use the dankyu system like in martial arts, it starts about 10kyu, counts down to 1 kyu, and then it starts going up from 1 dan with 6 dan currently being about v15. Convert North American climbing grades to UK and European scales, and compare bouldering V-grades to roped climbs. International Mountaineering and Climbing Grade Comparison Chart A direct comparison between the New Zealand (Mt Cook/ Frost grading system) developed in 2018, and the French Alpine Grade, UIAA Grade and the Russian Grade is no longer as linear as the Mt Cook/ Logan grading system of 1982. Please visit them on the web at www. The French rock climbing grade system is a numerical scale, from 1 to 9, with letters (a,b,c) and plus (+) or minus (−) signs for finer increments. Mar 25, 2024 · Learn how to convert climbing grades, common challenges, and resources for accurate conversions. Introduce limit bouldering 5. Different regions in the world use different grading systems. Fontainebleau Grades Origin of Fontainebleau Grades Fontainebleau grades, also known as the Font grades, originated in the famous Fontainebleau forest in France. Comprehensive guide for climbers of all levels. Read more about this topic: Grade (bouldering) Climbing Grade calculator for determining finger strength needed for different climbing grades based on research using the Grippul. Understanding the different grading systems & the factors that affect grades will help you make informed decisions & tackle routes that match your skill level & ambitions. The Old SA grading was used in many of the older traditional climbing areas but is seldom used today. This will help you compare and convert across some of the most popular grading systems. Indeed, as there are many climbing styles, many grading systems have emerged throughout climbing history to cover the different types of movement and technologies climbers use to ascend varied terrains like rock, ice, and snow. Here’s a rundown of the main climbing grade systems and how they compare: Mar 17, 2023 · What are bouldering grades? Simply put, bouldering grades are a made-up system consisting mainly of letters and numbers to measure the difficulty of a boulder problem. Compare bouldering grades across different systems including Hueco (V Scale), Fontainebleau, and more. Master ratings! Jun 10, 2024 · Grade Converters Bouldering and Lead Climbing Grade converters and other tools for rock climbers. Whether you're scaling indoor walls or conquering outdoor crags, understanding the intricacies of climbing difficulty rankings is essential for progression and safety. Get help comparing bouldering, sport, and trad climbing grades. We've examined the different systems Western vs Eastern Climbing Grades? What is the comparison between western climbing grades (i. May require a bivvy on route. Climbing Grade Conversions Climbing grades can be confusing due to the various systems used around the world. g. Learn about the Yosemite and French grading systems and how the two compare. . Oct 23, 2023 · Discover the intricacies of climbing grades with our comprehensive guide. A comparison between Fontainebleau and Dankyu bouldering grades suggests that 6 kyu is equivalent to 4a/4c Fontainebleau. Bouldering grades conversion This page presents bouldering grades, the bouldering grades conversion relative to eachtother and the origine of most used scales. But as the popularity of rock climbing burgeons globally, understanding the intricacies of climbing grades has become more confusing. Jun 23, 2024 · Lead climbing grades take into account the technical difficulty of the moves, the overall challenge of the route, and the risk level involved in climbing without a top-rope. If you want to read about route gradings, and especially how to understand the "two-tiered" British one, read on. Free, fast, and easy-to-use climbing grade converter. Lead climbing is a more advanced form of climbing that requires the climber to clip into protection points along the route as they ascend. Mar 21, 2022 · Most gyms don’t grade their problems to replicate outdoor climbs. Whether you’re mapping pitches in Cochamó Valley, running routes through the Valle del Silencio in Patagonia, or pushing the limits climbing ‘La Rubia’ in Spain, you can use this tool to convert the world’s most common free-climbing systems. Sports climbing grades are graded using different systems across different regions. org. Feb 2, 2025 · There are significant differences between bouldering and top rope climbing from safety to health and cost. Download the bouldering grades comparison chart PDF to have a handy reference for your next climbing trip. Nov 8, 2023 · Discover the definitive guide to bouldering grades. Nov 19, 2025 · The complete climbers guide to bouldering grades is here! Everything you need to know from history to training tips to send your project! Convert climbing grades between different rating systems: V-scale (bouldering), Yosemite Decimal System (sport/trad), UK technical grades, French grades, UIAA, and Australian grades. A mistake often made is to combine the Australian & South African grades as the same, in fact they are about a grade apart and even more at the upper grades. Bouldering grades and bouldering grades conversion charts for the popular V-Scale and Font-Scale bouldering grades. Apr 13, 2025 · Climbing is a sport of precision, strength, and mental endurance. Now I saw online comparison charts and they all go like this: 6 kyu is v0 5 kyu is v1 4 kyu is v2 3 kyu is v3 2 kyu is v4 1 kyu is v5 1 dan is v6/7 Etc. Feb 26, 2021 · 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! Climb may be in remote area. 5, etc) and eastern climbing grades? While the general information about climbing grades and grade conversion is described in the article Grades and Grade Conversions. We also have a Grades comparison table for converting between different grading system used around the world. Quickly convert climbing grades between different systems: French, YDS, UIAA, and more. Different rock climbing grades across the five most popular systems There are a variety of different systems used around the world to define rock climbs grades. Has Bouldering Grades Comparison Table Hueco V-Scale To French Fontainebleau Toggle VV Grade Implement regular core workouts 4. Jan 28, 2022 · Climbing grades describe the objective difficulty of a climb and are organized into grading systems based on the climbing style and the region. Depending on the region and discipline, there are different scales that often define difficulty levels in very unique ways. [27]" Feb 14, 2024 · Learn everything about bouldering grades, including how difficulty is measured and the difference between different grading scales. The Wheel of Life (V16/8C+) is graded at 6-Dan. Here's your guide for comparing indoor to outdoor bouldering grades. Confused by V-grades, YDS ratings, and Font scales? Learn about the core climbing grading systems, how routes are rated, and compare systems used worldwide. Although bolted sport climbs tend to be given a single French grade, traditional Nov 11, 2023 · This article explores the differences between bouldering and sport climbing, two popular forms of rock climbing. Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned climber, our climbing grade conversion cha 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 categories: Bouldering Sport Climbing Traditional Climbing Bouldering The birthplace of bouldering as the sport that we see today, was Fontainbleau in France. In addition, the skill level of the climber has also been included. Jun 5, 2023 · As you read this article, remember that all grades are subjective! Climbing Grades Comparison Chart To help you navigate through the convoluted world of climbing grades, we have put together a climbing grade conversion chart. 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 systems. Be able to rock climb up to 5. Find equivalent difficulty across systems. "Although fundamental differences in climbing style make direct comparison between bouldering and route climbing difficult, the colors in the above and below tables correspond to roughly equivalent sets of grades. The French system, used for sport climbing, runs from 1 to 9c and measures continuous difficulty over a full route. 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 systems. Bouldering Grades Conversion Chart If you’re looking for a quick comparison chart between the two most popular bouldering grade systems, the V and Font scales, then here it is. May 31, 2020 · Everything you need to know about climbing grades in one place. It is very difficult to compare the bouldering grading systems to the route grading V is only bouldering, V5 is font 6c+ V6 is font 7a font is the bouldering grading system that's used in Europe a lot, French is for sport climbing. Our Ultimate Guide to Climbing Grades provides it all! Online Conversion Tool for Climbing Grades & Bouldering Grades: Trad Grade, UIAA, French Sport Grade, Boulder Grades, American Scale & many more. I was wondering for a while now about Japanese grades. Find out how to convert the V scale and more here. These ranking systems, often referred to as grading systems, provide a standardized way to evaluate the challenge a route presents. Learn about climbing and bouldering ratings, including how route difficulty is measured and the difference between a rating and a grade. Climbing grades are more than numbers. This bouldering grades comparison table is designed to help climbers convert from Hueco to French and back to French to V-Scale. Amongst many other things, this article describes how theCrag is using and displaying grades, how theCrag assigns grades to routes and ascents, what protection ratings are and how they are applied on theCrag, what grade contexts are, and which grade systems are Sep 24, 2025 · If you want to read about gradings for bouldering, read this page from the ROCKFAX site. americanalpineclub.