A graphite pencil is a writing and drawing instrument consisting of a graphite core, typically mixed with clay, encased in a wooden or other casing. Graphite, a form of carbon, provides the pencil’s writing and drawing properties, while the clay acts as a binder. The ratio of graphite to clay determines the pencil’s hardness and darkness (or softness). Pencils are graded on a scale from hard (H) to soft (B), with numbers indicating the degree of hardness or softness.
