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Lead Size and Grade Guide

The right lead matters as much as the pencil.

Size first

• 0.3 mm for fine detail
• 0.5 mm for everyday writing
• 0.7 mm for strength and smoothness
• 0.9 mm+ for sketching

Then grade

Harder leads (H) are lighter and stay sharp; softer leads (B) are darker and smoother but smudge more. HB is the balanced middle.

See refill leads.