The V-scale and the Font scale can look like alphabet soup when you start bouldering. This quick guide breaks down what grades actually mean and how to use them.
The V-scale, simplified
- V0–V2: Beginner — big holds, straightforward movement
- V3–V5: Intermediate — technique and body tension matter
- V6–V8: Advanced — power, precision and problem-solving
- V9+: Elite — years of dedicated training
Grades are guidance, not gospel
Grades vary between gyms and even between setters. Use them to track progress, not to define your worth. A V3 that suits your style may feel easier than a V2 that doesn’t.
Our setters reset 40+ problems weekly across the full grade range, so there’s always something at your level — and something just beyond it to chase.