Rock climbing grade chart

Though slightly subjective, climbing grades are a good measurement for your overall climbing skill level. There is also a big difference between one's ability to lead a given grade vs one's ability to follow or top-rope that same grade. Climbing routes also vary due to the type of rock. Limestone is very inconsistent in texture and feel, sometimes adding to the stress of certain climbing routes. In other words, there is more to climbing than just the grades. Don't get hung-up on the numbers.

In Thailand, the popular sport routes tend to be graded on the French scale. Below are the conversions for the various different systems.

Rock Climbing Grade Conversion Chart

USA

French

UK

Australia

UIAA

5.2-5.3

1-2

HVD

8-9

I-II

5.4-5.5

2-3

MS

10-12

III

5.6

4

S

13-

IV

5.7

4+

VS

13+

V-

5.8

5a

14

V

5.9

5b

HVS

15

V+

5.10a

6a

E1 5b

19

VI+

5.10b

6a+

E2 5c

19 / 20

VI+ / VII-

5.10c

6b

20

VII

5.10d

6b+

E3 5c

21

VII+

5.11a

6c

21 / 22

VII+ / VIII-

5.11b

6c+

E4 6a

22

VIII-

5.11c/d

7a

23

VIII

5.12a

7a+

E5 6b

24

VIII / VIII+

5.12b

7b

25

VIII+

5.12c

7b+

E6 6b

26

IX-

5.12d

7c

27

IX

5.13a

7c+

28

IX / IX+

5.13b

8a

E7 6c

29

IX+

5.13c

8a+

30

X-

5.13d

8b

E8 7a

31

X

5.14a

8b+

32

X / X+

5.14b

8c

E9 7b

33

X+

5.14c

8c+

34

XI-

5.14d/5.15

9a

E10 7c

35

XI