Sketching is probably one of my favorite parts of creating art. I often even like the sketch more than “finished” works. With me enjoying sketching as much as I do, it’s important to know what the best lead size is to create a sketch. Mind you, this is my preference. You’ll hear all kinds of opinions on which lead size is best, and I’m just one of those opinions. With that in mind, let’s jump right into it.
To make things easier for you as a user, I included a table with my rankings and product links here if you’re looking for a quick answer.
| Lead Size | Brand | Best For | Lead Amount | Price | Amazon Link | |
| 1 | 0.5 mm | Pilot Graphite | Finer Detail | 40 pc | $4.30 | View Price |
| 2 | 0.7 mm | Pilot Graphite | Versatility | 40 pc | $5.87 | View Price |
| 3 | 0.9 mm | Pilot Graphite | Larger Sketches | 36 pc | $5.19 | View Price |
Why I Think 0.5 mm is the Best Lead Size for Sketching
I consider 0.5mm lead the best for sketching, and I use it in most of my sketches due to the simple fact that it allows for much greater precision. If you look at any of my artwork here on the site, such as my Mandalorian Sketch, you’ll find pretty quickly that I like adding some fine lines.
You might argue that detail isn’t the point of a sketch, but I’d disagree. Unless you’re going for an incredibly rough sketch every time, 0.5mm lead is my top choice. Even if you don’t use it for all of your sketching, I think it’s a must-have in your artist toolset
0.7 mm is the Next Best Option
Why 0.7mm instead of 0.3mm? 0.3mm is much more brittle, and you don’t want brittle when you’re sketching. That’s actually my only qualm with using 0.5mm lead, because even that is pretty easy to break as you sketch.
0.7mm lead offers a balance between precise and broad strokes in your art. It’s also more durable and less likely to break as you sketch, which is usually why I’ll use the 0.7mm on occasion. The 0.7mm size will also be a better option if you plan on doing any shading in your sketch, as the 0.5mm doesn’t have much to it, and you’ll be clicking your pencil endlessly for more lead just to keep up.
0.9 mm is My Third Pick
I’ll be honest. I almost never use 0.9mm lead in my sketches. Maybe once in a blue moon, but that’s about it. However, it’s very popular among other artists for a variety of reasons. The first being that it’s useful for much larger sketches. If you’re sketching on a large 18x24in sheet of paper, then a thin lead size isn’t going to cut it.
The 0.9mm lead size is also great for sketches that you plan on doing a lot of shading, as you’ll have a lot more lead to get the job done. The durability of a 0.9mm pencil is also incredible if you’re coming from 0.5mm. You could practically build a house with this stuff (I’m kidding, please don’t try that).
Other Lead Sizes
Let me start by mentioning that I don’t actually recommend either of these, but they’re options for those of you that have specific tastes in lead size.
- 2.0 mm Lead – For those of you that are sketching on the side of a barn door, this mechanical pencil is for you. It’s also good for those of you that have a knack for breaking lead so much that you had to take out a loan just to buy another pack.
- 0.3 mm Lead – This is best for anyone that is planning on creating artwork that can only be seen under a microscope. Great for ants and other small creatures, too. But for real, you’ll be able to create so much detail with this that you’ll forget what’s real.
Use More Than One Lead Size
Deciding what the best lead size for sketching is depends a lot on your personal artistic style, and these recommendations are based largely on my personal preference. However, one word of advice that I think could apply to all artists is this: Use multiple lead sizes.
There is no “one-size-fits-all” lead size for sketching, because 0.5mm lead just can’t do everything that 0.9mm lead can, and vice versa. If you plan on sketching something that needs both precision and significant shading, then don’t feel like you can only use one lead size. Have multiple mechanical pencils handy.
Ultimately, lead size is based on your personal preference. My preference just happens to be 0.5mm in most instances.