Convert between route climbing grade systems (YDS, French, UIAA) and bouldering grade systems (V-scale, Fontainebleau). Based on standard published equivalence tables β actual difficulty varies by style, rock type, and gym.
Conversion Result
YDS βFrench βUIAA β
Full Route Climbing Equivalence Table
Conversion Result
V-Scale βFontainebleau β
Full Bouldering Equivalence Table
β οΈ Please Note
This table is an internationally-used approximate equivalence table, not an exact mathematical conversion. Perceived difficulty for the same grade can vary by gym, region, and route style (overhang, slab, crack, etc.).
What Are Climbing Grade Systems? YDS vs. French vs. UIAA vs. V-Scale
Climbing grades fall into two broad families: route (sport/trad) grades and bouldering grades. For route climbing, the Yosemite Decimal System (YDS, 5.6-5.15d) dominates in North America, the French system (4-9c) is standard across Europe and most indoor gyms, and UIAA (IV-XII) is common in German- and Austrian-speaking regions. For bouldering, the American V-scale (V0-V17) and the European Fontainebleau/Font scale (roughly 4-9a) are used side by side worldwide. Because each system developed independently in a different climbing culture, the numbers and letters don't share a common origin β the equivalence table this converter uses reflects a long-standing, widely published consensus among climbers rather than a mathematical formula.
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Why Grade Conversions Are Approximate, Not Exact
Grade conversion tables are approximate because each system was built around a different emphasis β some weight technical difficulty, others endurance, hold size, or wall angle differently. A powerful, overhanging route often gets a more generous French grade relative to how hard it actually feels, while technical slab or crack climbing is frequently under-graded by comparison. Grading also varies by the individual route-setter and local gym culture, even within the same country, and newly-set routes are sometimes re-graded after enough climbers have tried them. Treat any converted grade as a rough reference point, and climb with a margin of safety rather than assuming an exact equivalence.
Frequently asked questions
How do I convert V-scale to Font grade?
V-scale and Font don't map one-to-one β they overlap across ranges. For example, V3 roughly corresponds to 6a-6a+, and V8 to around 7b-7b+. Select a V-scale grade in the bouldering tab of this converter to see its approximate Font equivalent.
Is 5.10a easier or harder than French 6a?
By the standard equivalence table, 5.10a and 6a are considered roughly the same difficulty. That said, this is a general trend β actual perceived difficulty depends on the route's style (overhang, slab, crack) and how it was set.
Why does the same grade feel different at different gyms or regions?
Grading is heavily influenced by the subjective judgment of the route-setter and local community consensus. A 5.11a at one gym can feel very different from another due to the setter's style, hold types, wall angle, and even country-specific grading conventions. It's best to treat grades as a relative guide rather than an absolute measurement.