Climbing Grade Conversion
In climbing, grades are used to reflect the technical difficulty, risk, and commitment level of a route. Initially suggested by the first ascensionist, these grades are often revised based on the consensus of other climbers. Grade systems have a long history, evolving alongside climbing itself. They began in specific regions, making it easier to compare climbs locally. As climbing techniques improved and more challenging routes were established, grade systems expanded and adapted.
Climbing grades vary by area, with some systems remaining local and others gaining wider use. Different styles—bouldering, sport, and trad—each have their own grading systems. Even within the same style, these systems don’t always align, making direct comparisons difficult. To help with this, we've created a conversion table for sport and trad climbing, as well as bouldering. This table doesn’t cover every grading system, but it should serve as a useful reference for most climbers.
Grades may not always be objective, but they are a useful tool for understanding the approximate difficulty of a climb and for choosing routes that match the desired intensity.
