The Pencil Encyclopaedia

Every wood-cased graphite pencil worth knowing.

The world’s most complete catalogue of wood-cased graphite pencils — every brand, every grade, every spec, in one place. Compare them, learn them, and buy the right one.

Explore the catalogue Browse all brands
533Pencils catalogued
29Brands
22Grades, 10H–10B
12Countries of origin

Every grade, 10H to 10B

From the hardest technical leads to the softest, blackest drawing graphite — the full ladder, end to end.

10H 9H 8H 7H 6H 5H 4H 3H 2H H F HB B 2B 3B 4B 5B 6B 7B 8B 9B 10B
← harder & lightersofter & darker →
Browse all 533 pencils

Twenty-nine brands, one catalogue

From the Japanese icons to historic European houses and boutique American makers — catalogued side by side.

Mitsubishi uni147 Tombow92 Koh-I-Noor24 Staedtler23 Derwent20 Caran d'Ache19 Faber-Castell18 Lyra18 General Pencil17 Cretacolor16 Camlin14 Musgrave14 Kitaboshi13 Apsara12 Bruynzeel12 Pentalic12 STABILO11 Conté à Paris10 BIC9 Palomino9 Blackwing7 Maped5 Dixon Ticonderoga3 Pelikan3 Royal Talens1 Winsor & Newton1 Daler-Rowney1 Arteza1 Mont Marte1

Start with the icons

Eight pencils that define the craft — from Tokyo to Tennessee, by way of Nuremberg and Geneva.

Mitsubishi Hi-uni
Japan Mitsubishi Hi-uni
Tombow Mono 100
Japan Tombow Mono 100
Staedtler Mars Lumograph
Germany Staedtler Mars Lumograph
Faber-Castell Castell 9000
Germany Faber-Castell Castell 9000
Caran d'Ache Grafwood
Switzerland Caran d'Ache Grafwood
Blackwing 602
United States Blackwing 602
Derwent Graphic
United Kingdom Derwent Graphic
Koh-I-Noor 1500
Czechia Koh-I-Noor 1500

From the encyclopaedia

Field guides and comparisons for people who take their graphite seriously.

Reference Pencil grades explained H, B, F and the numbers — what the grading scale actually means, and why brands disagree. Read the guide → Reference Graphite darkness chart Every major brand’s dark grades laid side by side — how one maker’s 6B really compares to another’s. Read the guide → Reference The darkest pencils We measured the softest, blackest graphite on the market to find the true darkest pencil you can buy. Read the guide → Reference What is a #2 pencil? The US number system vs UK HB, explained — and which pencil to grab for an exam answer sheet. Read the guide → Reference Japanese vs European grades Why a Japanese 4B and a German 4B aren’t the same mark, and how the two scales line up. Read the guide → Reference Graphite vs charcoal vs woodless Three black drawing media compared — what each is for, and when to reach for which. Read the guide → Reference Graphite vs mechanical pencils Wood-cased or clutch? An honest take on which suits drawing, sketching and everyday work. Read the guide → Comparison Hi-uni vs Mono 100 Japan’s two finest drawing pencils, compared grade for grade. Read the guide → Comparison Hi-uni vs Uni vs 9800 Is Mitsubishi’s premium pencil worth it? Three tiers of one brand, side by side. Read the guide → Comparison Lumograph vs 9000 The European duel: Staedtler’s Lumograph against Faber-Castell’s 9000. Read the guide → Comparison Blackwing vs Palomino The cult brand and its sibling — what you’re really paying for, and whether it’s worth it. Read the guide → Comparison Blackwing 602 / Pearl / Matte / Natural The four core Blackwing finishes, decoded — which firmness fits your hand. Read the guide → Buying guide Best Japanese pencils Hi-uni, Mono 100, Mono J, 9800 and more — what each is best for, and where to buy in the UK. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for artists Seven graphite ranges compared for serious drawing — from budget heroes to Japanese luxury. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for drawing The grades and ranges that actually earn a place in a drawing kit, and the sets worth buying. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for sketching A grade-by-grade guide to loose work — including the cheap pencils that hold their own. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for shading Soft, smooth grades for smooth tone and deep darks — the ones we’d reach for. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for beginners What to buy first — a short, honest starter kit without the wasted grades. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for writing Handwriting, notes and exams — the everyday pencils that write dark and behave. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils for kids Grips, triangles and easy grades for small hands learning to write. Read the guide → Buying guide Best pencils with rubbers Eraser-tipped writing pencils — our honest UK picks and how well the built-in tip really rubs out. Read the guide →
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