Climbing Grade Converter — All Systems in One

Grade Converter

Select any grade in any system — all four will update instantly.

Complete Grade Equivalence Table

All grade conversions from beginner (Font 3) to the current hardest route in the world (Font 9c). Click any row to load that grade in the converter above.

How to Convert Climbing Grades Between Systems

Converting climbing grades is not an exact science — it's a matter of community consensus built over decades. The four systems covered by this converter were each developed independently, by different communities, on different types of rock, with different philosophical approaches to what "difficulty" means.

Why Grade Conversion Is Tricky

The main challenge is that different systems have different granularity. The Fontainebleau system has more distinct grades in the upper ranges (7a, 7a+, 7b, 7b+, 7c, 7c+ vs. just 5.11 and 5.12 in the early YDS notation). This means a Font grade maps cleanly to one YDS grade, but the reverse isn't always true — several Font grades might correspond to the "same" YDS grade at different levels of difficulty.

Rock type also matters. Limestone in Kalymnos (Greece) tends to be graded harder than equivalent-feeling granite in Yosemite. Routes that are powerful and crimpy suit some body types; routes that demand technique on slabs suit others. A "fair" grade for one climber can feel sandbagged or pumped for another.

The Most Important Conversion Anchors

Here are the most universally agreed-upon anchor points — learn these and you can interpolate the rest:

• Font 6a = 5.9 YDS = UIAA V+ — solid intermediate, top of the "easy" sport range
• Font 7a = 5.11c YDS = UIAA VII — the "advanced recreational climber" benchmark
• Font 8a = 5.13a YDS = UIAA IX — the "elite" threshold; a lifetime goal for most
• Font 9a = 5.14c YDS = UIAA XI — world-class; fewer than 200 people have ever climbed this
• Font 9c = 5.15d YDS = UIAA XII+ — the current frontier of human climbing

Fontainebleau to Yosemite (YDS)

This is the most common conversion request. The Fontainebleau system is used throughout Europe and at IFSC World Cup competitions, while YDS dominates in North America. Many topo apps and international guidebooks list both systems.

The conversion is straightforward for routes in the 6a–8c range, where there's a rough 1-to-1 mapping. Above 8c the Fontainebleau system remains more precise because more confirmed ascents exist and the community debates grades more actively.

Fontainebleau to UIAA

UIAA is common in German-language guides and across Central and Eastern Europe. The main gotcha is that UIAA uses both + and – modifiers (VII–, VII, VII+), while Fontainebleau only uses + (7a, 7a+). This means each UIAA grade corresponds to roughly two Fontainebleau half-grades.

Bouldering Grade Conversion

Bouldering has its own grade systems: Fontainebleau (Font 3 to Font 9A on boulders) and the V-scale (V0 to V17) in North America. The converter above is calibrated for sport climbing routes. For bouldering, use these V-scale anchors: V3 ≈ Font 6b, V6 ≈ Font 7a, V9 ≈ Font 7c, V13 ≈ Font 8b, V16 ≈ Font 8c+/9A.

Australian Grades

The Australian system uses a simple linear scale (1–40) and maps very cleanly onto Fontainebleau in the sport climbing range. It's used primarily in Australia and New Zealand. Most Australian guidebooks now include Fontainebleau equivalents for the benefit of international visitors.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Font 7a in Yosemite grades?

Font 7a is approximately 5.11c in the Yosemite Decimal System. This is a solid advanced grade — not elite, but requiring dedicated training to reach for most climbers.

What is 5.12 in Fontainebleau?

It depends on the subdivision: 5.12a ≈ Font 7b, 5.12b ≈ Font 7b+, 5.12c ≈ Font 7c, 5.12d ≈ Font 7c+. Broadly, "5.12" covers the Font 7b–7c+ range.

Is Font 6b the same everywhere?

In principle yes — 6b should mean the same difficulty globally. In practice, grades vary by crag, setter, and regional tradition. A "soft" 6b in one area might feel like a "hard" 6a+ somewhere else. Grade comparison websites like 8a.nu aggregate user feedback to track grade consensus.

Explore More

Deep dives into each grade system: