Hardness Scale Converter

Mohs to HRC, Rockwell, Vickers, Brinell, and Shore—fast cross-reference for metallurgy, quality control, material selection, and shop-floor documentation. Free and instant. No sign-up required.

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Common Conversions
Quick access to frequently used conversions
Unit Information

Scientific Units

Scientific and technical measurements

HV
scientific
Vickers Hardness
Vickers hardness test using diamond pyramid indenter
HRC
scientific
Rockwell C
Rockwell C scale for hard materials (steels, hard alloys)
HRB
scientific
Rockwell B
Rockwell B scale for softer materials (brass, aluminum)
HRA
scientific
Rockwell A
Rockwell A scale for very hard materials (cemented carbides)
HB
scientific
Brinell Hardness
Brinell hardness test using steel ball indenter
Mohs
scientific
Mohs Hardness
Mohs scale of mineral hardness (1-10)
HK
scientific
Knoop Hardness
Knoop hardness test using elongated diamond indenter
Shore A
scientific
Shore A
Shore A durometer for soft materials (rubber, plastics)
Shore D
scientific
Shore D
Shore D durometer for hard materials (hard plastics)
Preferences

What hardness conversion helps with

Hardness values are reported differently across metals, ceramics, coatings, plastics, and elastomers. A supplier sheet may use Brinell, a process spec may require Rockwell, and a materials handbook may list Vickers or Mohs. This page gives you a fast cross-reference when you need to move between those standards.

For adjacent property checks, pair it with the Pressure Converter, Force Converter, and Temperature Converter when you are reviewing testing and process conditions together.

Common scale families

  • Rockwell: HRC, HRB, HRA for production-friendly metal testing.
  • Vickers: Broad-range micro and macro hardness reference scale.
  • Brinell: Common for castings and softer-to-medium metals.
  • Mohs: Scratch resistance scale from talc to diamond.
  • Shore: Polymer and elastomer durometer scales.

How to use the hardness scale converter

  1. Enter the hardness value from the test report, spec sheet, or handbook.
  2. Select the source scale such as Mohs, HRC, HV, HB, HRB, or Shore.
  3. Select the target scale you need for comparison or documentation.
  4. Use the converted result as a quick reference, then verify against standards for critical work.

Conversion logic

Hardness conversions are based on empirical relationships and reference tables rather than a single universal formula. Each scale uses different loads, indenter geometry, and interpretation.

That means the converter gives a practical engineering estimate, not an absolute physical identity. For procurement, inspection, and material-screening workflows this is often enough. For certification or safety-critical acceptance, always fall back to the governing standard.

Where each scale is used

  • HRC: Heat-treated steels, tooling, and wear parts.
  • HB: Castings, aluminum alloys, and structural metals.
  • HV: Thin sections, coatings, microhardness work, and research.
  • Mohs: Minerals, ceramics, and scratch-resistance comparisons.
  • Shore A/D: Rubbers, polymers, and molded components.

Worked examples

Example

Mohs 9about HRC 70

Approximate range for very hard cutting materials.

Example

HRC 60about HV 700

Useful for steel heat-treatment comparisons.

Example

HB 200about HV 210

Typical low-alloy steel comparison point.

Example

Shore D 80hard polymer reference

Helpful for plastics and elastomer screening.

Typical use cases

  • Materials selection: Compare candidate alloys and non-metallic materials quickly.
  • Manufacturing QA: Translate incoming and outgoing inspection data across standards.
  • Education and training: Help students and technicians understand scale differences.
  • Supplier comparison: Normalize hardness values from mixed data sheets.

Important limitation

Cross-scale conversion should not replace the original hardness test for acceptance decisions. Surface condition, alloy family, heat treatment, and thickness all influence the relationship between one hardness scale and another.

Frequently asked questions

How do Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers hardness scales compare?

They all measure resistance to indentation, but they use different indenters and test loads. Because the methods differ, conversions are approximate rather than universally exact.

Can I convert Mohs hardness directly to HRC?

Yes, but treat the result as an estimate. Mohs is a scratch-resistance scale, while HRC is an indentation-based Rockwell scale commonly used for metals and heat-treated parts.

Why are hardness conversions approximate?

Material composition, heat treatment, surface finish, and test procedure all influence the measured hardness. Two different alloys can show slightly different cross-scale relationships at the same nominal value.

When is a hardness scale converter useful?

It is useful when you need quick cross-reference values for material selection, QA documentation, machining decisions, supplier comparison, or reading standards that report different hardness methods.

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Added Mar 26, 2026

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