Q: What is the difference between a 2B and a 2H graphite pencil?
A: The number and letter combination on most artists’
graphite pencils indicates the hardness of the lead and the darkness of
its mark. The combination corresponds to points on the standard
gradation scale, which move in progressive degree from the softest and
darkest pencil to the hardest and lightest. Higher numbers indicate the
extremities of this scale, with 8B being the softest and darkest and
10H being the hardest and lightest.