Mr Calcu | Convert climbing grades fast and climb smarter—perfect for travelers, gym-goers, and outdoor crushers alike.

Convert rock climbing grades instantly and explore global systems. Empower your climbs and eliminate confusion with this essential, trusted tool.

Rock Climbing Grade Converter

Rock Climbing Grade Converter Guidelines

You're just a few clicks away from clarity.

Step 1: Select the grading system of your input grade (e.g., YDS, French, UIAA, V-scale).
Step 2: Enter the grade (e.g., 5.11a, 6c+, V5, IX-).
Step 3: Choose the target grading system for conversion.
Step 4: Click 'Calculate' to receive the converted grade.
Step 5: Review the suggested equivalent and consult the breakdown for edge-case insights.
Note: Context matters. Always consider climbing type (sport vs bouldering), location, and era when interpreting grades.

Rock Climbing Grade Converter Description

Understanding Rock Climbing Grades

Climbing grades are tools for estimating the difficulty of a climb. However, with no unified global standard, different grading systems have evolved independently. Here's a breakdown of the most common systems:

Popular Grading Systems

YDS (Yosemite Decimal System): Predominantly used in the United States. Grades range from 5.0 (easiest) to 5.15c (hardest recorded).
French System: Common in Europe. Grades like 6a, 7c+, or 9b are typical. Fine-tuned with letters and plus signs.
UIAA: Found in Central Europe. Uses Roman numerals (e.g., VI, VIII+, X-) to indicate increasing difficulty.
V-scale: Specifically for bouldering problems. Ranges from V0 to V17, measuring short, powerful climbs.

Pro Tip: Indoor gyms often apply their own grading tweaks. Always cross-reference with local benchmarks or guidebooks when transitioning between gym and outdoor climbs.

Conversion Logic

Grade conversions rely on community consensus, not strict formulas. This tool uses an internal mapping table built from guidebooks, route databases, and comparative ascents.

How the Algorithm Works

1. Normalize Input Grade → Convert to Reference Value
2. Cross-Map to Target System Grade
3. Output Most Probable Equivalent

Due to stylistic variation between routes, the same numeric grade can feel easier or harder depending on terrain, hold type, and protection.

Formula Reference

Example Conversions:
YDS 5.10a ≈ French 6a ≈ UIAA VII- ≈ V2
Estimates:
French Grade ≈ (YDS decimal - 5) / 0.2 + 5
UIAA ≈ French Numeric - 2
V-scale ≈ (French Grade) × 0.75 (approximate)

Common Edge Cases

V0 Grades: V0 may span from 5.9 to 5.10b in YDS depending on gym standards or rock type.
UIAA VIII: Translates variably to French 6b+ or 6c depending on region.
Elite Grades: YDS 5.15+ grades vary significantly due to limited climber consensus.
Scrambling Grades: UIAA III or IV may include unroped terrain and not map cleanly to technical grades.
Historic Sandbagging: Old-school areas (e.g., UK grit or 1980s US routes) tend to underrate grades.

Real-World Applications

Case Study 1: Gym-to-Crag

Maria trains indoors on French 6b+ routes. For her outdoor trip in California, she uses the converter to find that 6b+ equals roughly 5.10d YDS. She then targets 5.10c–5.11a climbs for progression.

Case Study 2: Training Abroad

Jonas, a German climber, climbs UIAA IX+. Using the converter, he finds the equivalent French grade is 7c+. His coach uses this info to align workouts in a French-graded gym overseas.

Start converting now and climb with confidence—no matter where your next adventure leads!

Example Calculation

Sample Grade Conversions

Input Grade (System)	Converted Grade (Target System)
5.11b (YDS)	6c (French)
6a+ (French)	5.10b (YDS)
V4 (V-scale)	6b (French)
UIAA VIII	6b+ (French)
5.13a (YDS)	7c+ (French)
UIAA III	5.3 (YDS)
V0	5.9–5.10b (YDS)
9c (French)	5.15c (YDS)

Frequently Asked Questions

It supports YDS, French, UIAA, and V-scale grading systems.

Select the input system, enter the grade, choose the target system, and click calculate.

Yes, the tool standardizes grades across different systems for accurate comparisons.

The tool is most accurate for sport climbing and bouldering. Trad grades or highly technical climbs may vary depending on style and risk.

Grade systems are subjective and influenced by local culture, style, and era. We provide consensus-based estimates but recommend treating them as guidelines, not absolutes.

Yes. Indoor grades are often set for consistency, while outdoor grades reflect natural variability. A 6b indoors might feel easier than a 6b outdoors on sharp granite.

Currently, the hardest confirmed sport climbing grade is 5.15c (YDS) or 9c (French), achieved by elite climbers like Adam Ondra and Seb Bouin.