Climbing Grade Calculator
Convert climbing grades between the major grading systems.
About Climbing Grade Calculator
Climbing grades are ordinal rather than numeric, so conversion means aligning positions on parallel scales. The gaps between consecutive grades are also not equal, growing wider at the top of each scale. Grade conversion tables disagree at the margins because the systems weight sustained difficulty and single hard moves differently.
Formula
Climbing Grade
Grade systems are ordinal scales aligned by index rather than converted arithmetically
- French grade
- The dominant sport climbing scale
- Yosemite Decimal System
- The North American scale, open-ended above 5.9
Worked example
With the default values below, Climbing Grade Calculator returns Grade of 8a. Change any input above and every figure here is recalculated in your browser.
Inputs used
- Grade index on a common scaleaccepts 1–40
- 18
- Grade system to describeone of French sport grade, Yosemite Decimal System, UIAA, V-scale bouldering
- French sport grade
Results
- Grade
- 8a
- Difficulty Band
- Expert
- Grade Index
- 18
- Approximate Yosemite Index
- 18
- Progression Note
- Progress at this level generally requires targeted strength and power training
Step by step
- 1Values used
- 2Climbing Grade
- 3Grade= 8a
- 4Difficulty Band= Expert
- 5Grade Index= 18
- 6Approximate Yosemite Index= 18
- 7Progression Note= Progress at this level generally requires targeted strength and power training
Assumptions and limits
- The result is derived only from the 2 inputs listed above. Anything not among them is not part of the calculation.
- In particular, this calculator does not take inflation, tax, fees or charges or compounding frequency into account.
- Figures are rounded for display to whole numbers, so totals built from several rounded parts can differ slightly from the unrounded arithmetic.
- These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
- This is an estimate for general information and not professional medical advice. See the full disclaimer for the limits that apply to this kind of calculator.
How these calculators are built and tested is described on the Methodology page. If a figure looks wrong, please report it.
These figures are estimates based on population-average formulas and are intended for training and recreational planning only. They are not medical advice. Consult a qualified health professional before starting or changing an exercise programme, particularly if you have an existing medical condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is Climbing Grade calculated?
Grade systems are ordinal scales aligned by index rather than converted arithmetically Climbing grades are ordinal rather than numeric, so conversion means aligning positions on parallel scales. The gaps between consecutive grades are also not equal, growing wider at the top of each scale.
Why does Climbing Grade matter?
Grade conversion tables disagree at the margins because the systems weight sustained difficulty and single hard moves differently.
What values do I need to enter?
This calculator takes 2 inputs: Grade index on a common scale, Grade system to describe. The pre-filled defaults are a realistic starting point — replace them with figures from your own environment for a result you can act on.