Lead pencils contain graphite (a form of carbon), not lead. In fact, contrary to what many people believe, lead pencils never were made with lead. The ancient Romans used a writing device called a stylus. … Instead, blocks of graphite were sawed into sticks to be used as writing implements.

How much graphite is in a pencil?

The hardest pencil contains about 20% graphite, the softest one up to 90%.

What is a pencil made up of?

Graphite A gray to black, opaque mineral that is soft enough to leave a black mark. Graphite is used to make the writing cores of pencils. Wood (Softwood) Softwoods are coniferous trees, such as pines or spruces.

For those who are wondering if pencil lead is poisonous or toxic and if they can get lead poisoning from a pencil? The answer is, ‘No. You are perfectly safe and cannot die from pencil lead. Yes, it is called ‘pencil lead’ but it actually is graphite, a totally different substance from lead.