Why Are #2 Pencils So Noteworthy?

Most of us grab pencils without much thought—and often misplace them too. But there's more to these simple tools than meets the eye. Here are a few fun, lesser-known facts about our second-most preferred writing instruments, including a tale from when pencil sharpeners were once banned.

WHY ARE #2 PENCILS SO NOTABLE?

In the world of pencils, #2s sit right in the middle. While the U.S. uses a numbering system for pencil grades, most of the world adopts a different approach, combining numbers and letters to describe the pencil's lead hardness and darkness. A U.S. #2 pencil roughly matches an HB pencil on the international scale. Its lead strikes a perfect balance—not too dark or light, not too hard or soft.

Pencils with numbers higher than 2 feature harder leads, making them a favorite among engineers, architects, and draftsmen who value precision. The idea is that a harder lead gives better control over the pencil's fine point. On the flip side, pencils with numbers below 2, featuring softer leads, are popular with artists, as they offer a broader range of tones compared to the typical #2 pencil.

OH NO! I USED A #3 PENCIL ON THE SAT! AM I DOOMED?

Not really... though you may find yourself working hard in labor instead of college. But seriously, it's difficult to find a definitive answer on this. Many online reports from people who used the wrong pencil grade for the SAT have claimed they still did well. The general belief seems to be that the SAT's scanners can read marks made with a #3 pencil just as easily as those made with a #2. However, some argue that the harder lead of a #3 pencil might make erasing harder, increasing the chances of leaving marks that could affect your score. It's best to double-check your pencil choice just to be safe before your exam.

WHY DOES THE REST OF THE WORLD USE A COMBINATION OF NUMBERS AND LETTERS TO GRADE PENCILS, WHILE WE ONLY USE NUMBERS?

Give credit to Henry David Thoreau and his father. In the 1820s, when graphite was discovered in New Hampshire, John Thoreau and his brother-in-law Charles Dunbar started their own pencil-making venture. The issue, however, was that New Hampshire graphite was of poor quality—it smeared easily and made for subpar pencils.

Enter a young Henry David Thoreau. Before becoming known for his thoughts on civil disobedience and his time spent at Walden Pond, Thoreau worked at the family pencil business. He developed a method of using clay to bind the loose graphite, turning it into a harder, more usable form for pencils. As a result, New England graphite could now be used to create pencils that didn’t leave unsightly smears. The Thoreaus’ business flourished, and by the mid-1800s, they were selling pencils of varying hardness levels, each numbered from one to four.

IF GRAPHITE HAS BEEN THE CORE OF PENCILS FOR SO LONG, WHY DO WE STILL CALL IT "LEAD"?

Blame it on the faulty chemistry of the 16th century. When a large deposit of graphite was discovered in England, it was quickly adapted as a writing material. However, early chemists were unsure of what this gray substance actually was. Assuming it was a type of lead, they started referring to it as 'pencil lead,' even though no lead was involved at all.

WHY ARE PENCILS COLORED YELLOW?

According to most accounts, the yellow color of pencils stems from a clever marketing strategy. In 1889, the Hardtmuth company of Austria unveiled a new range of premium pencils at the World's Fair in Paris. Named Koh-i-Noor after the renowned Indian diamond, these pencils were crafted with the finest Far Eastern graphite and were painted yellow—something quite rare at the time.

Some historians suggest that the Austrian company chose yellow as a subtle reference to the yellow in the flag of Austria-Hungary. Others believe the color was a nod to the high-quality Far Eastern graphite, as yellow is historically associated with royalty in China. Either way, the new yellow pencils became a sensation, and soon other manufacturers began painting their pencils yellow in an attempt to steal some of Hardtmuth’s spotlight.

DOES THE SMALL METAL BAND THAT HOLDS THE ERASER HAVE A NAME?

It certainly does. The metal band around the eraser is called a ferrule, derived from the Latin words viriola ("small bracelet") and ferrum ("iron").

HAVE PENCIL ERASERS INFLUENCED ANY COMMON TERMS?

Absolutely. Historical records from the 18th century reveal that the elastic material derived from tropical plants was named rubber due to its widespread use as a tool to erase pencil marks. The act of rubbing it on the marks led to the name. Interestingly, another term used during the same period for this substance was lead-eater, although it never became widely adopted.

WHEN WAS IT AGAINST THE LAW TO OWN A PENCIL SHARPENER?

In early 20th century England, possessing a pencil sharpener was considered illegal contraband. At the time, the supply of red cedar, traditionally used in making pencils, was dangerously low, prompting the government to ban sharpeners to prevent excessive waste from over-sharpening. Thankfully, the invention of the mechanical pencil and the discovery of incense-cedar solved this issue, and pencil sharpeners were once again allowed. Phew!