B9 is the softest and darkest. 9H is the lightest and hardest graphite pencil. So a B6 is softer and darker than a B2.

Which lead is darker HB or 2B?

The pencil lead of 2B pencil is relatively soft, while the pencil lead of HB pencil is very hard, which is not easy to break. ... 2B pencil is darker in color and lower in hardness. It is suitable for drawing and painting all kinds of cards. But HB pencil is not.

What pencil makes the darkest mark?

The more B's, the softer a pencil is. This means that a 5B pencil is softer than a 2B and the 5B will produce a darker mark. The 7B is the softest and darkest of the common pencils (8B and 9XXB pencils are even softer and darker).