The lightest pencil, in terms of darkness of the graphite core, is a 9H pencil.
Based on the reference provided, graphite pencils are graded on a scale with "H" indicating hardness and "B" indicating blackness or softness. The higher the number before the 'H', the harder and lighter the pencil's graphite. So a 9H pencil is harder and lighter than an 8H, and so on. Conversely, the higher the number before the 'B', the softer and darker the pencil.
Here is a breakdown to illustrate:
| Pencil Grade | Hardness | Darkness |
|---|---|---|
| 9H | Hardest | Lightest |
| 8H | Very Hard | Very Light |
| 6H | Hard | Light |
| 2H | Moderately Hard | Moderately Light |
| HB | Medium | Medium |
| B | Soft | Dark |
| 2B | Softer | Darker |
| 6B | Very Soft | Very Dark |
- Hard Pencils (H Grades): These pencils use harder clay mixed with graphite. This results in a lighter mark on the paper, and they are often used in technical drawing or for very fine lines because they hold a sharp point longer.
- Soft Pencils (B Grades): These pencils have a higher ratio of graphite to clay, creating darker lines. They are typically used for drawing and shading.
- F Pencils: An "F" pencil is a slightly harder version of an HB, and it also holds a fine point well.
Therefore, among all the various pencil grades, the 9H pencil is the lightest because it produces the faintest line.
