9a to v scale.

• 9a to v scale [2] Mar 17, 2023 · 7c to V-scale. In North America, bouldering problems use a different scale than climbing routes. V Scale. The French scale is usually prefixed with an (f) to distinguish it from the Fontainbleau scale. Is the 7a to V6 conversion always accurate? So my country uses the french scale for indoor sports climbing. May 3, 2025 · Key Takeaways Our 7b+ to V scale conversion graphic shows the equivalencies between grades. We’re often asked how to convert between 8a and V grades. It shows you just how… Read More 7b+ to V Scale Conversion: Understanding the 7b+ (Font) as a V8/V9 or 5. The Font scale is only used in France. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 7c+ V10 8a V11 8a+ V12 (Note: Keep in mind that grading is V-Scale (Bouldern) Technisches Klettern Eisklettern 1 1 I 1 M 5. 14d 11 > 9+ 8a V11 A3 - A5 (WI5-6) 9a: 5. 14d/5. For instance, a V11 on the V-scale would roughly equal an 8a on the French scale. The Burden of Dreams boulder problem in Finland is considered to be the most challenging boulder problem out there, but this will likely change as climbing continues to Oct 12, 2020 · What Does V Mean in Bouldering? In the US, climbers use the V scale to rate boulder problems. Bouldering, unlike sport climbing with its myriad grading systems, simplifies things with two main grading scales – the V Scale and Font Scale. Each of course measures difficulty differently. The document has moved here. Bouldering grades, like 8c and the V scale, help climbers gauge problem difficulty and select climbs that match their abilities. 9a: E10 7c: 35: XI: 5. A 7c+ however, is more similar to the V10 bouldering grade in the V-scale. and the Font Scale which is popular in Europe. k. e. This gym and guidebook practice in the United States serves to emphasize the problems with V-grades. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8c V15 8c+ V16 9a V17 (Note: It is i Feb 9, 2024 · He introduced this grading scale by releasing the bouldering guidebook Hueco Tanks Climbing and Bouldering Guide in 1991. It also includes an introductory rating of VB for beginner bouldering problems. After giving it some more thought I figure that as a general guideline for different routes in the same crag or gym the rating systems are useful insofar as you can judge the relative difficulty of the options in front of you compared to each other. 8a to V-scale . For bouldering, the hardest V-Scale grade is a V17 and the hardest Font-Scale is a 9A. com. Apr 27, 2025 · The Font 7b+ grade usually corresponds with a V8 on the V scale. 13b Apr 27, 2025 · The Font 7b+ grade usually corresponds with a V8 on the V scale. Posted by u/sb52191 - 3 votes and 4 comments V-Grade Vs. We use the term 'current upper bound' because elite outdoor climbers continue to establish and send increasingly difficult climbs. He initially didn’t include grades for the climbs until his publisher, George Meyers, pressured him to release the book with a grading system attached, so Verm created the V-Scale. Two of the most widely used systems are the V-scale in North America and the Fontainebleau scale in Europe. Worldwide, more climbers use the “Font” scale than the V scale, but many are familiar with both. So now im confused. At the same time, 8c is equivalent to the Eu Moved Permanently. Today there exist multiple bouldering grading scales, but you are most likely to encounter two: V Scale; Font Scale; Let’s look at each. A typical French grade would therefore be written as f6c+. Jan 18, 2023 · The most widely used grading system for bouldering is the V-scale, which stands for the "Vermin scale. 7c+ on the Fontainebleau Scale generally equates to a V10 on the V Scale. In the 1950s, legendary godfather of American bouldering, John Gill, was grading boulders on a super simple scale ascending from B1 to B3. Therefore, discussing a 9a on the V scale might involve a bit of confusion among climbers who are familiar with both the French Climbing Grade for sport climbing and the V scale for bouldering. How does a 9a route compare to a V-scale boulder problem? See full list on climbinghouse. Apr 27, 2025 · Key Takeaways. Sometimes you see a + or - appended to a value to distinguish difficulty level within the same rating. The V Scale goes from 0 to 17 and may have a + or – for further Feb 4, 2015 · Skala: Länder: Union Internationale des Associations d’Alpinisme (UIAA) Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary: East German Rating System (GDR (Saxon)) Younger than the Font system, the V scale was developed in the 1980s by the American bouldering pioneer, John Sherman (nicknamed ‘Verm’ – hence the ‘V’). While there are other scales like the B-Scale, P-Scale, Joshua Tree Scale, and others, they don’t command the same prominence. Bouldering difficulty starts at 1 (Font) or VB (V scale), and currently ends at 9A or Oct 15, 2021 · The two bouldering grading systems are the V Scale (used in the United States) and the Font Scale (used outside the US). Nov 3, 2023 · 8c+ Boulder to V Scale: Looking to understand the "8c+ to V scale" correlation? The conversion is straightforward: 8c+ on the Fontainebleau (Font) grading scale is generally considered equivalent to V16 on the V scale. The V Scale is a numerical grading system See relevant content for outdoorrackbuilder. Bouldering difficulty starts at 1 (Font) or VB (V scale), and currently ends at 9A or Dec 28, 2021 · It’s older than the V scale, which John “Vermin” Sherman developed in Texas in the 1990s. S. The V-scale, which was created solely for bouldering, offers a cleanly linear grade. The easiest start at VB (beginner Dec 28, 2021 · It’s older than the V scale, which John “Vermin” Sherman developed in Texas in the 1990s. Because the scale is open ended, it's conceivable that numbers higher than 16 could get added later. The Font Scale is also open-ended and will build in time. To my surprise V5 converts to 7b and V6 to 7c in the french scale. It uses an open ended numerical system ranging from 1A - 9A(V17). The V scale is an open-ended grading scale, meaning there is no top level of difficulty. Gyms and climbing areas, but across the Atlantic, the Font scale—which was born in France—has become common place. The V-scale ranges from V0 (the easiest) to V16 (the hardest), with each grade marking a step up in difficulty. In the United States, climbers exclusively use the V scale. V0 is considered to be the easiest grade, while V17 is the most difficult. Apr 27, 2025 · Climbing grade systems, including the V scale and French grading scale, help categorize the difficulty of bouldering and sport climbing routes nationwide. It was developed by John ‘Vermin’ Sherman at Hueco Tanks State Historic Site. Bouldering grades "start" at v0 which is 5. The YDS does not apply to bouldering routes; instead, either the French Scale (usually referred to by its other name, the Fontainebleau Scale or Font Scale for short) or the Hueco V Scale is used. Oct 23, 2023 · The Bouldering V Scale. The French scale makes use of numbers, letters and plus (+) grades to further refine the grading process, giving it more intermediate steps than the UIAA scale. The Vermin Scale (V-Scale) The Vermin Scale, commonly referred to as the V-Scale, is used to grade bouldering problems. Grades in bouldering. Aug 30, 2021 · At that time, it also incorporated Lucien Devies’ alpine scale and aid scale. Most climbing gyms offer a range of V0 to V10/V11. Apr 27, 2025 · The French scale, or algo-1, is the standard for the sport climbing in Europe. The French Scale, which assigns grades such as 9a, is the international standard for sport climbing routes, particularly throughout Europe. At the same time, the V scale is the de facto standard for bouldering grades in the United States, making it necessary to know both systems if you’re climbing internationally. The two systems correspond to each other more or less directly. In the present day, the max level is 9A (comparable to V17). Because the originators of this grading system—read on to learn more—based their efforts off of John Gill’s B-system for bouldering, V0 moves are the equivalent of 5. Scales are used by boulderers, Font and V scale are mostly used. The V-scale doesn't consider risk and is purely focused on the technical difficulty of the movements. V5, V6, V7), and was at V17 in 2023 with Burden of Dreams. The scale began being assigned to other climbing areas and being published all across the US. Grade conversion between the two scales isn’t easy—the Font Scale has more grade options than the V Scale, and both scales are subject to regional differences and individual climbers’ body types, opinions, and skill sets—but in general, here’s how the two scales Apr 29, 2024 · The Hueco or ‘V’ scale goes from V0-V17 (currently the worlds hardest boulder problem). Nov 3, 2023 · 8a Boulder to V Scale: For climbers looking to understand the "8a to V scale" conversion, 8a in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system is generally considered equivalent to a V11 in the V scale. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 8c+ V16 9a V17 (Note: Remember that climbing Fontainebleau Scale was born in France and is the most used boulder rating scale in Europe. However, in contexts where voltage (V) and current (ampere, A) are discussed, «9A» typically refers to a specific current strength. Changing 8b+ Font grades to the V scale—for instance, translating 8b+ to V14—serves United States climbers. The V-scale is an open-ended system, meaning that new grade can be added as climbers push the May 25, 2024 · The V scale begins with V0, suitable for beginners, and progresses in difficulty up to V17, which represents the pinnacle of bouldering challenges. Please turn off your ad blocker. The majority of the grades simply consist of a ‘V’ followed by a number, with no additional letters or symbols; these run from V1 to V17, which is currently the highest grade Apr 27, 2025 · The Fontainebleau Scale, developed in France, is the most widely used system for grading the difficulty of bouldering problems. Comparison Table: Fontainebleau Grade (Font) Approximate V Scale 5+ V2 6a V3 6a+ V4 (Note: As always, grading can be som 2012 Adam Ondra repeats Open Air (FA'd in 96) and says compared to our current grading scale, its probably 9a+. It originated in the Fontainebleau region in France, in a forested area south of Paris. The French Grading Scale can be used to determine both sport climbs and boulders. I go bouldering at a gym in Norway and this is their grading system. a the Vermin Scale) The V-Scale is as follows: V0-V3: Beginner; V4-V6: Intermediate Dec 9, 2024 · V-Scala: Boulder-Bewertungen in den USA. Apr 27, 2025 · V-Scale (or Hueco Scale) The V-Scale is the most common bouldering grading system and was named after John “Vermin” Sherman, who worked with his climbing buddies in the 1980s and 90s to rate routes in Hueco Tanks, a famous bouldering area in Texas. On the other hand, in Europe, the Fontainebleau scale is more prevalent, with grades ranging from 1A (easiest) to 9B+ (hardest). This complexity is due to differences in aesthetic, route type, and local grading philosophy. Explanation. Mar 25, 2024 · In the United States, the V-scale is commonly used for bouldering grades, ranging from V0 (easiest) to V16 (hardest). Each system brings its own creative approach and deep cultural history. Much like the Font system, it is an open scaling system using mostly numbers. Each is a reflection of the different endurance, strength, and technical demands. The reason being that the width of grades on a specific scale are not comparable or that grades are not linear across the whole scale. This was in the 1990s and spread throughout the US and North America. Feb 14, 2024 · V Scale & Font Scale: Two Prominent Grading Systems. Font Scale The two most popular grading scales are the V-Grade system, which is popular in the U. Like the French scale, it also uses the letters “a”, “b” and “c” along with symbols + and – to further subdivide the grades. 14d : Further Reading: Climbing Grades - An explanation of British climbing grades and comparison with other systems. Apr 27, 2025 · What are the main differences between the V scale and French grades? Unlike the V scale, which is used to rate bouldering problems, our scale rates short, powerful ascents. com Nov 3, 2023 · 9a Boulder to V Scale: For climbers inquiring about the "9a to V scale" correlation, here's the succinct response: 9a in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system corresponds approximately to V17 in the V scale. For the most part, understanding the two different scales and comparing them doesn’t matter, however, here are three common reasons you may want to compare the two grading scales: Apr 27, 2025 · The Font scale and the V scale are two of the most prominent bouldering difficulty grading systems. Apr 27, 2025 · The V-scale is the most common scale found in U. It’s no longer the most accurate way to describe the climbing difficulty. 10 climbing moves. Nov 3, 2023 · 6a Boulder to V Scale: For those specifically searching for the "6a to V scale" conversion, here it is: 6a in the Fontainebleau (Font) grading system is approximately equivalent to V3 in the V scale. Ranking Guide - Rankings explained in Apr 27, 2025 · Key Takeaways. The V in V scale is named for Vermin, a famous climber out of Hueco Tanks, who created the rating system to grade the climbs in his area. 0 1 1 1 VB- A0 WI 1-2 11 9a XIIb 7b E11 5. 10a(by that chart), which I'd say is reasonable. The scale starts at 1 (although you will rarely see a boulder route easier than 3) and goes up to 9. The V-scale is an open-ended scale that starts at V0 (although a slightly easier "VB" has been used for beginners), and increases in single-digit steps (i. Specifically, it represents a current flow of nine amperes. The lower bound of the scale is V0, and the current upper bound is V17. Das führende Bewertungssystem für Boulder in Amerika ist die V-Skala (V steht hier für Vermin). The Font and V scales have unique characteristics and cultural significance, especially in Europe and North May 31, 2024 · What is 9A in V? When talking about «9A in V», it might seem like a cryptic message at first glance. The steepness of the curve up to 9a is the Wolfgang Gullich effect - between him, Moffat, and Moon, climbers realized hitting the gym hard with detailed training schedules Jun 5, 2023 · The V scale starts with V0 as the easiest and currently caps out at V17. Today, the UIAA system is a reference point and corresponds broadly to multiple aspects of climbable terrain. Find rock climbing routes, photos, and guides for every state, along with experiences and advice from fellow climbers. Sep 16, 2021 · V Scale & Font Scale: The 2 Most Common Bouldering Grading Scales in Use Today. It was created and used long before the V-scale was used in the United States, however, an exact date to which it was created is unavailable. However, over time, it became clear that Gill’s grading system was incapable of defining accurate grades for the complexity of boulders being climbed. Ab V0 oder 5c steigert sich die Schwierigkeit mit V1, V2, V3 bis V17, was dann einem 9a Boulder entspricht. So now the gap between 9a+ and 9b is 11 years instead of 6. The Fontainebleau Scale (Font Scale) Named for its legendary bouldering areas in France, the Font Scale is used throughout Europe and surrounding areas. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Jun 5, 2023 · The two most popular grading systems are the V-Scale and the Font-Scale. However, 8a+ converts to a V12. Chances are the v3 boulders at your gym are actually v0 boulders, but they've shifted the scale a bit so beginners don't need to start on v-3 or something weird like that, so they can feel an actual progression There are grade systems for bouldering, grade systems for sport climbing, grade systems for aid climbing and so on but even grade systems for the same style don’t always translate well between each other. Convert North American climbing grades to UK and European scales, and compare bouldering V-grades to roped climbs. The Font and V scales have unique characteristics and cultural significance, especially in Europe and North Dec 9, 2024 · The V-scale was invented in the 1980s by John Sherman, nicknamed “Vermin,” hence the V. It is named after a famous outdoor bouldering area called Fontainebleau in France, just outside Paris. The “V” scale is one of the most popular systems in the world. Likewise, the V Scale, created in the United States, is just as indicative of the bouldering climb challenge. 15: MEC climbing Apr 27, 2025 · The V Scale, used to rate bouldering problems, mostly found in the U. . At the same time, 8c is equivalent to the Eu Apr 27, 2025 · The Fontainebleau Scale, developed in France, is the most widely used system for grading the difficulty of bouldering problems. A 7c in the Font scale converts to a V9 in the V-scale. The F-scale is the most commonly used scale in Europe. 8b to V-scale Aug 18, 2017 · The French Scale, or the Fontainebleau Scale, is widely used around the world and is most commonly seen outside of America. " The V-scale is a numerical grading system that ranges from V0 to V17. The V Scale goes from V0 (easiest) through V16 (hardest). An 8a bouldering grade on the Font Scale, converts to a V11 bouldering grade in the V-scale. It is crucial that climbers understand both systems, particularly if they travel or climb in different areas. The Bouldering V Scale (a. Each grading system values a mix of strength and technique. This scale measures the difficulty of a bouldering problem based on its technical demands, as well as the mental and physical Nov 8, 2023 · The chart currently goes up to a V17 on the V scale and a 9a on the Font scale because this is the highest bouldering grade that is currently given to a boulder problem. There are other ones, like the B-Scale, the P-Scale, the Joshua Tree Scale, and a few others, but you don’t really need to know those as they are not really used. I was reading and watching a lot about the V5/V6 plateau that most intermediate climbers hit, and I was expecting this to be around the 6b on the french scale. The V Scale. I’m not sure if this is a bouldering system or a sport climbing system as the gym has both and I’ve not checked if the high wall has a separate system. If you would like to learn more about what bouldering is, please check out our comprehensive guide. French grades only work for longer, roped ascents. The V-scale’s spectrum is expansive. ijrlb wbqs yomtf mlgyxe cysa gdv wcrwf okjii czoovrd czczv hnrfz mndrb xcte zgr vembo