The softest pencil is a 9B pencil.
This designation refers to the pencil's hardness, which is measured on a scale known as the "Hardness Scale".
- Lower numbers on the scale indicate softer pencils.
- Higher numbers represent harder pencils.
The 9B pencil produces the darkest, richest lines, making it ideal for artists who prefer dramatic shading and bold strokes.
Here's a breakdown of the Hardness Scale:
- 9H: The hardest pencil, produces very light, faint lines.
- 8H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 7H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 6H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 5H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 4H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 3H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- 2H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- H: Hard pencil, produces light, thin lines.
- F: A medium-hard pencil, produces a medium-toned line.
- HB: A medium pencil, produces a medium-toned line.
- B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 2B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 3B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 4B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 5B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 6B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 7B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 8B: Soft pencil, produces a darker, thicker line.
- 9B: The softest pencil, produces the darkest, richest lines.
