Lead Pencils

While there are many pens out there today, pencils are a classic writing utensil many still rely on, particularly students. When it comes to mechanical pencils, the right lead can make all the difference when writing or drawing. Staples carries a variety of pencil lead refill options. Learn more below.

What Is Lead for Pencils?

Rest assured that pencil lead isn’t actually made of lead. Lead for pencils is made of graphite, which is a naturally occurring form of carbon that has many different types and qualities. It’s often categorized by its size and grade, which is defined as its hardness. Lead size determines how wide of a mark your pencil can make. Hardness ranges from very soft to very hard and impacts the control you’ll have when you make a mark.

What Are the Benefits of Pencil Lead Refills?

Lead for mechanical pencils is extremely useful and allows the user more flexibility than a traditional wooden pencil. With mechanical pencil lead, you can decide on the level of smoothness, darkness, break-resistance, and longevity. Your writing utensil itself can be used time and time again. All you need to repurchase is the lead, making the tool more cost-effective than replacing the entire utensil as with traditional pencils.

What Kind of Pencil Lead Should I Use?

When buying lead for pencils, it’s really a matter of your preference. Below are some considerations to keep in mind when choosing a lead refill.

Lead Grade

Lead grade comes in two primary variants: soft lead and hard lead.

Soft Lead

Any pencil lead labeled with a “B” is considered soft. Soft lead is much more malleable. This kind of lead for pencils can seamlessly glide across the paper, giving you a much smoother finish. If you’re looking to create a smooth line that gracefully curves across the page, we highly recommend soft graphite. This kind of lead is a bit wider and relatively break-resistant, but it doesn’t write as precisely and can produce inconsistent line widths as the lead wears down unevenly. This kind of pencil lead is best for creating sketches with lots of flow or any tasks where you want your pencil to glide as you’re using it.

Hard Lead

Lead for pencils that is categorized with an “H” is considered a hard lead. Hard lead means your writing is less likely to flow and will be much more mechanical. This type of lead is more delicate despite the name and prone to breaking, and it also gets used up quicker. However, it’s ideal for creating intricate drawings, writing compact letters, or generating detailed diagrams because it allows for a lot of control and precision.

Lead Size

The most common pencil lead sizes in the US are 0.5mm and 0.7mm. These are great sizes for everyday writing and drawing. Other sizes include: