Rock climbing grades

There are a variety of different systems used around the world to define rock climbs grades. Below you will find a table that compares the different climbing grades across the five most popular systems. In addition, the skill level of the climber has also been included. The difficulties are listed in increasing order of difficulty.

Roped climbing

  • French
    The French system is an internationally recognised system for grading sport climbs and is therefore used on bolted routes within the UK.
  • UIAA
    This system is used in Germany, in other areas of Eastern Europe and in Italy for the classic trad routes.
  • United States
    Yosemite Decimal System(YDS) is a grading system commonly found in the United States, starts with a 5.something.
    Grades 1 to 4 refer to walks of increasing difficulty, by the time you reach 5 you are assumed to be scrambling over rocks which equates to about 5.0.
    Sub-Grade (Yosemite Decimal System).
    The sub-grade ranges from 1 to a theoretically infinite number (today the highest number is 15). The number is increased when a ‘harder’ climb is developed.
  • Great Britain
    The UK system is made of two sub-grades, an adjective grade and a technical grade. The adjective grade describes the overall difficulty of the climb taking into consideration how strenuous the route is, the amount of exposure and the availability of protection.
    The adjective grades are as follows: Moderate (M), Very Difficult (VD), Hard Very Difficult HVD), Mild Severe (MS), Severe (S), Hard Severe (HS), Mild Very Severe (MVS), Very Severe (VS), Hard Very Severe (HVS) and Extremely Severe. The Extremely Severe grade is also broken down into 10 further sub grades from E1 to E11.
    The numerical technical grading describes the hardest (crux) move on the climb. For a brief explanation of UK traditional climbing grades follow this link.
  • Australian
    The system used in Australia and New Zealand is perhaps the most logical of all. There are no letters secondary grades, just a single number which gets bigger as the routes get harder.

Rock climbing grades

FranceUIAAYDSGBAUSLevel
 1I 53a  Novice ↓
 2 II 5.1/5.23b 11 
 3 III 5.3/5.43c 12 
4a IV 5.54aVD13Beginner ↓
4bIV+5.64bS14 
4cV5.74cHS15 
5aV+5.8 VS16 
5bVI-5.95aHVS17 Intermediate ↓
5cVI5.10a E118 
6aVI+5.10b5b 19 
6a+VII-5.10c E220 
6bVII5.10d5c 21 
6b+VII+5.11a E322Advanced ↓
6cVIII-5.11b  23 
6c+VIII5.11c6aE424 
7aVIII+5.11d  25 
7a+IX-5.12a E526 
7bIX-   IX5.12b6b  Expert ↓
7b+IX5.12c E627 
7cIX   IX+5.12d6c 28 
7c+IX+5.13a E729 
8aIX+   X-5.13b   Super Expert ↓
8a+X-5.13c7a 30 
8bX5.13d E831Elite ↓
8b+X+5.14a  32 
8cX+  XI-5.14b7b 33 
8c+XI-5.14c E9 34 
9aXI5.14d7c  35Super Elite ↓
9a+XI+5.15a  36 
9bXII-5.15b  37 
9b+XII5.15c  38 
9cXII+5.15d  39Aliens

Download climbing grades table (PDF) for your mobile!

Climbers mainly use two rating systems for rope climbing, according to geographical location: FRENCH scale and YDS. Speaking about rock climbing grades, there are not only the systems listed above but also others difficulty rating systems. For example: South Africa, Brazil, Finnish, Swedish. Click on this link to see other systems for measuring difficulties in climbing.

Rock climbing grades, bear in mind that:

the system for assessing how difficult the climb is is subjective. As much as you can try, there is no perfect way of ranking climbs. The various systems have improved over the years, however the fact remains that climbing is a highly individualistic and subjective sport. Our differences make us stronger in some areas, weaker in others. Hence, it is impossible to put together a perfect system for evaluating climbs. But this is what makes our sport special!


Bouldering

Bouldering is a simplified and often “social” version of rope climbing. In fact, in this case no rope and harness are used, because it climbs extremely difficult short routes (also known as problems). The heights are limited, so you climb not too far from the ground. Bouldering is a great way to increase your confidence and technique, and it’s a lot of fun!

Bouldering consists in climbing (up to a maximum height of about 7-8 meters) to solve particular sequences of movements linked and dynamic, usually few (8-10), but extremely difficult.
Climbing more than 7-8 metres are considered dangerous solo climb.

In the sport of bouldering, problems are assigned technical grades according to several established systems, which are often distinct from those used in roped climbing.

Bouldering grade systems in wide use include the Hueco “V” grades (known as the V-scale), Fontainebleau technical grades, and more.
The V scale was developed in the USA and is a system that currently starts with VB for the simplest bouldering problems and goes all the way up to V17 for super experienced professionals.

The Fontainebleau Scale was born in France and is the most used boulder rating scale in Europe. The scale starts at 1 (although you will rarely see a boulder route easier than 3) and goes up to 9. Like the French scale, it also uses the letters “a”, “b” and “c” along with symbols + and – to further subdivide the grades.

You can read a very detailed article about bouldering grades here: www.99boulders.com.

 Bouldering - Rock climbing grades

Drawing by Claudio Getto “Caio Comix

Hueco (USA)Fontainebleau
VB3
V0-4-
V04
V0+4+
V15
V25+
V36A
 6A+
V46B
 6B+
V56C
 6C+
V67A
V77A+
V87B
 7B+
V97C
V107C+
V118A
V128A+
V138B
V148B+
V158C
V168C+
V179A

The evolution of rock climbing grades: from 6a to 9c

Let’s now see how climbing has evolved over time. The following is the result of careful research done by two well-known names in the world of climbers: Maurizio Oviglia and Claude Remy. My thanks go to them and PlanetMountain (which previously published an article dedicated to the evolution of free climbing) for allowing me to publish this interesting table that allows you to observe how the degrees of difficulty in climbing are constantly evolving.

In addition, other details are included: solo (climbing without a rope); on-sight (OS); expo which indicates runout gear; obl. stands for obligatory; Female = F; not confirmed or unrepeated = NC.

YEARGRADECLIMBERROUTE

1918

6a expo

Emanuel Strubisch

Wilder Kopf- Westkante / Elbsandsteingebirge, Germany

1930

6a+ expo

Frank Elliot, Harry Dovere Gilbert Ellis

Wall End Slab Direct at Stanage, Peak District, GB

1936

6b/6b+ expo

Willi Hänztschel

Schrammtorwächter nord, Elbsandsteingebirge, Germany

1949

6c expo

Peter Harding

Demon Rib, Black Rocks, Peak District, GB

1952

6c expo

Wulf Scheffler

Schwager-Talseite / Elbsandsteingebirge, Germany

1958

7a solo OS

Don Whillans

Goliath, Burbage, Peak District, GB

1960

6c solo

John Gill

Final Exam, Castle Rock, Colorado, USA

1961

7b+ solo

John Gill

Thimble, Needle, Dakota, USA (12m high)

1970

7a

John Stannard

Foops, Gunks, USA

1972

7b

John Bragg

Kansas City, Gunks, USA

Alan Manson

Invents the Figure of 4 (Yaniro)on the University of Leeds climbing wall

1973

6c solo OS

Jim Erickson

Cassandre, USA (new route integral solo)

1974

7c

Steve Wunsch

Supercrack, Gunks, USA

1977

8a

Peter Cleveland

Phlogiston, Devil’s Lake, USA

7b, F

Lynn Hill

Shawangunk Ridge, Gunks, USA

1979

7c, F

Lynn Hill

Ophir Broke, Telluride, Colorado, USA

8a

Tony Yaniro

Grand Illusion, Sugar Loaf, California, USA

7b+ expo

Bernd Arnold

Direkte Superlative, Elbsandsteingebirge, Germany

1980

7b+ OS

Patrick Edlinger

La polka des ringards, Buoux, France

7b+ OS

Patrick Edlinger

Parties carrées, Buoux, France

1981

7c+ expo

Maurizio Zanolla (Manolo)

Il mattino dei maghi, Totoga, Dolomiti, Italy

1983

8a+

Jerry Moffat

The Face, Altmühltal, Germany

1984

8b

Wolfgang Güllich

Kanal im Rücken, Altmühltal, Germany

8b

Martin Scheel

Vuelo a ciegas direct, Montserrat, Spain

7c+ OS

Jerry Moffat

in USA e in Europa, citiamo Pol Pot, Verdon, France

7c+, F

Lynn Hill

Vandals, Gunks, USA

1985

8b+

Wolfgang Güllich

Punks in the gym, Mount Arapiles, Australia

8a solo

Antoine Le Menestrel

Revelations, Raven Tor, GB

1986

8b+/c

Antoine Le Menestrel

Ravage, Chuenisberg, Jura, Switzerland

8b+

Antoine Le Menestrel

La rage de vivre, Buoux, France

8b+

Antoine Le Menestrel

La minimum, Buoux, France

7c solo

Wolfgang Güllich

Weed Killer, Raven Tor, GB

8a, F

Luisa Iovane

Come back, Valle San Nicolò, Italy

1987

8c

Wolfgang Güllich

Wallstreet, Krottenseer Turm, Frankenjura, Germany

8a+ solo

Jean-Christophe Lafaille

Rêve de gosse, Les Arnauds, France

8a, F

Christine Gambert + Lynn Hill

Rêve de papillon, Buoux, France

8a OS

Antoine Le Menestrel

Samizdat, Cimaï, France

7b, F OS

Lynn Hill

plusieurs aux USA

1988

8a+, F

Catherine Destivelle

Choucas, Buoux, France

8b, F

Isabelle Patissier

Sortilèges, Cimaï, France

8c

Fred Nicole

Anaïs et le canabis, St-Loup, Switzerland

1990

8c+

Ben Moon

Hubble, Raven Tor, GB

8c/+

Jerry Moffat

Liquid Ambar, Lower Pen Trwyn, Galles, GB

8b+, F

Lynn Hill

Masse critique, Cimaï, France

1991

9a

Wolfgang Güllich

Action Directe, Frankenjura, Germany

8b solo

Alain Robert

Compilation, Omblèze, France

1992

8a, F OS

Lynn Hill

Simon, Frankenjura, Germany

9a

Alex Huber

Om, Triangel, Endstal, Germany (9a+)

1993

9a

Fred Nicole

Bain de sang, St-Loup, Switzerland

9a

Fred Rouhling

Hugh, Les Eaux Claires, France

8b OS

Elie Chevieux

Les liaisons dangereuses, Calanques, France

1994

9a

Alex Huber

Weisse Rose, Schleierwasserfall, Austria

8a/+, F OS

Lynn Hill

Overdose, Lourmarin, France

1995

9b

Fred Rouhling

Akira, Grotte de Vilhonneur, Les Eaux Claires, France (NC)

8b+ OS

Elie Chevieux

Massey Fergusson, Calanques, France

1996

9a+

Alex Huber

Open Air, Schleierwasserfall, Austria

9a+

Neil Carson

The big bang, Lower Pen Trwyn, Wales, GB

8b+ OS

Elie Chevieux

Maldita Maria, Cuenca, Spain

1997

9a/+

Fred Nicole

Elfe, Grimsel, Switzerland.

1998

8c, F

Josune Bereziartu

Honky Tonky, Onate, Spain.

9a+

Bernabé Fernandez

Orujo, Malaga, Spain (une prise visée, NC)

1999

8b, F OS

Katie Brown

Omaha Beach, Red River Gorge, USA

2000

8c+, F

Josune Bereziartu

Honky Mix, Onate, Spain

8a+, F OS

Josune Bereziartu

Bon viatge, Terradets, Spain

9a+

Eric Talmadge

Im Reich des Shogun, Tüfleten, Switzerland

2001

9a+

Chris Sharma

Realization, Céüse, France

2002

9a, F

Josune Bereziartu

Bain de sang, St-Loup, Switzerland

9a/+

Fred Nicole

La chimère L2, St-Loup, Switzerland

2003

8b solo

Alex Huber

Opportunist, Schleierwasserfall, Austria

8b+ solo

Alex Huber

Kommunist, Schleierwasserfall, Austria

9b

Bernabé Fernandez

Chilam Balam, Archidona (80m)

9a+

Ramon Puigblanque

La Rambla Ext, Siurana, Spain

2004

8b, F OS

Josune Bereziartu

Steroid performance, Hourai, Giappone

8c OS

Yuji Hirayama

White Zombie, Baltzola Spain

9a/+

François Nicole

Bimba luna, St-Loup, Switzerland

2005

9a/+, F

Josune Bereziartu

Bimba luna, St-Loup, Switzerland

9a+

Dave Graham

Coup de grâce, Sonlerto, Switzerland

2006

8b+, F OS

Josune Bereziartu

Hydrofobia, Montsant, Spain

2007

8c+ OS

Patxi Usobiaga

Bizi Euskaraz, Etxauri, Spain

2008

9b

Chris Sharma

Jumbo love, Clark Mountain, USA (75m)

9b

Chris Sharma

Golpe de estado, Siurana, Spain

9b

Dani Andrada

Delincuente natural, Rodellar, Spain

2009

9b

Chris Sharma

Neanderthal, Santa Linya, Spain

2010

8c, F OS

Charlotte Durif

Les rois du pétrole, Pic St-Loup, France

2011

9b

Adam Ondra

La Capella, Siurana, Spain

9b

Adam Ondra

Chaxi Raxi, Oliana, Spain

9b

Adam Ondra

La planta de shiva, Villanueva del Rosario, Spain

9b

Chris Sharma

First round First minute, Margalef, Spain

2012

9b+

Adam Ondra

The Change, Flatanger, Norway

2017

9a+, F

Anak Verhoeven

Sweet neuf, Pierrot beach, France

2017

9c

Adam Ondra

Silence, Flatanger, Norway

2018

9a+ flash

Adam Ondra

Super Crackinette, Saint-Léger, France