| Range | V0 upward (currently to V17) |
| Rates | Bouldering difficulty |
| Origin | Hueco Tanks, USA |
| Difficulty | Beginner concept |
Named for John 'Vermin' Sherman, who developed it at Hueco Tanks, Texas.
The V-scale (or Hueco scale) is the American system for grading bouldering difficulty, running from V0 for beginners upward — V5, V10, V15 — with no fixed upper limit. Created at Hueco Tanks, Texas, it rates the hardest moves of a boulder problem and is the most common bouldering grade system in the US.
It’s named after John ‘Vermin’ Sherman, who devised it at Hueco Tanks.
How it works
Grades rise by whole numbers from V0 (with ‘VB’ for easier problems) with no ceiling — currently to about V17. The grade reflects a problem’s hardest moves.
Convert it
The European equivalent is the Font scale; translate between them with our grade converter.
Good to know
Because it grades the crux move rather than sustained effort, a short, powerful boulder can share a grade with a longer one.
Frequently asked questions
How does the V-scale work?
It's an open-ended scale starting at V0 (and VB for easier 'V-Beginner' problems) that rises by whole numbers — V1, V2, V3 — with higher numbers meaning harder. It grades the difficulty of a boulder problem's hardest moves, currently topping out around V17.
Is V5 hard?
V5 is a solid intermediate boulder grade — past beginner territory but well below elite. Many dedicated boulderers reach V5 within a year or two of consistent climbing, while it remains a meaningful milestone for most.
How does the V-scale compare to Font grades?
The V-scale (US) and Font scale (Europe) both grade bouldering and map approximately — for example V4 is around Font 6B+. Use our grade converter to translate between them; they diverge slightly at the very top end.
Sources
- Bouldering grades — American Alpine Club