Pencils

• The #2 question
• Mechanical pencils
• Colored pencils
• Featured types

The #2 question

In the US, everyday wood pencils are often labeled with numbers. A #2 pencil is the classroom standard and is roughly equivalent to HB on the international letter scale. A #1 is softer and darker (closer to B), while #3 and #4 are harder and lighter (toward H). Exact darkness varies from brand to brand.

Artists use the letter scale: H grades are hard and light, B grades are soft and dark, and HB is the midpoint. A sketching set might run from 4H to 8B.

Mechanical pencils

No sharpener needed, and the line stays the same width. 0.7 mm lead is sturdy and a favorite for everyday writing, 0.5 mm is finer for math and notes, and 0.3 mm is for precise drafting. Buy lead in the matching width, and in HB or B depending on how dark you like it.

Colored pencils

Wax-based colored pencils lay down soft, blendable color. Oil-based ones hold a point longer and layer nicely. Watercolor pencils turn into paint with a damp brush. For little kids, triangular or jumbo barrels help with grip, and a 24-count set covers most elementary supply lists.