Tool Steel Hardness Conversion Calculator

Enter any hardness value and the calculator returns the nearest equivalents across the Rockwell C, Rockwell B, Vickers, and Brinell scales. It is built for the readings that do not have a ready answer, such as turning a single Vickers number from a test report into HRC, or checking a Brinell supply limit against a drawing called out in Rockwell. The conversion data follow ASTM E140 for non-austenitic steels. As a quick reference point, 60 HRC is close to 697 HV and about 654 HBW.

Hardened Tool Steel / HRC Range

Use this range for hardened and tempered tool steels, including D2, A2, O1, S7, H11, H13, M2, M35, and M42. Valid input ranges: HRC 20-68, HV 238-940, HBW 226-739, HBS 226-500.

HRC

HBW

HBS

Enter one value above. The calculator uses the last edited field as the input source.

Annealed or Soft Steel / HRB Range

Use this range for annealed, normalized, or softer steel where HRC is not suitable. This range is useful when reviewing MTC hardness values or soft supply hardness. Valid input ranges: HRB 55-100, HV 100-240, HBS 100-240.

HRB

HBS

Enter one value above. The calculator uses the last edited field as the input source.

The values are approximate equivalents, not exact conversions. Use them for comparison and communication. For inspection, acceptance, or MTC confirmation, test hardness by the method specified in the order or standard.

HRC Hardness Conversion Table — Hardened Tool Steel

Full conversion chart for Rockwell C (HRC) to Vickers (HV), Brinell steel ball (HBS), and Brinell tungsten carbide ball (HBW) for hardened and tempered tool steel. Data based on ASTM E140 for non-austenitic steels.

HRC	HV	HBS	HBW
68	940	—	—
67	900	—	—
66	865	—	—
65	832	—	739
64	800	—	722
63	772	—	705
62	746	—	688
61	720	—	670
60	697	—	654
59	674	—	634
58	653	—	615
57	633	—	595
56	613	—	577
55	595	—	560
54	577	—	543
53	560	—	525
52	544	500	512
51	528	487	496
50	513	475	481
49	498	464	469
48	484	451	455
47	471	442	443
46	458	432	432
45	446	421	421
44	434	409	409
43	423	400	400
42	412	390	390
41	402	381	381
40	392	371	371
39	382	362	362
38	372	353	353
37	363	344	344
36	354	336	336
35	345	327	327
34	336	319	319
33	327	311	311
32	318	301	301
31	310	294	294
30	302	286	286
29	294	279	279
28	286	271	271
27	279	264	264
26	272	258	258
25	266	253	253
24	260	247	247
23	254	243	243
22	248	237	237
21	243	231	231
20	238	226	226

HRB Hardness Conversion Table — Annealed or Soft Steel

Full conversion chart for Rockwell B (HRB) to Vickers (HV) and Brinell (HBS) for annealed, normalized, or soft steel. Data based on ASTM E140 for non-austenitic steels.

HRB	HV	HBS
100	240	240
99	234	234
98	228	228
97	222	222
96	216	216
95	210	210
94	205	205
93	200	200
92	195	195
91	190	190
90	185	185
89	180	180
88	176	176
87	172	172
86	169	169
85	165	165
84	162	162
83	159	159
82	156	156
81	153	153
80	150	150
79	147	147
78	144	144
77	141	141
76	139	139
75	137	137
74	135	135
73	132	132
72	130	130
71	127	127
70	125	125
69	123	123
68	121	121
67	119	119
66	117	117
65	116	116
64	114	114
63	112	112
62	110	110
61	108	108
60	107	107
59	106	106
58	104	104
57	103	103
56	101	101
55	100	100

Hardness Conversions This Calculator Covers

The calculator works in both directions across five scales: Rockwell C (HRC), Rockwell B (HRB), Vickers (HV), and Brinell measured with either a tungsten carbide ball (HBW) or a steel ball (HBS). You enter the value you already have, and it returns the nearest listed equivalent on each of the other scales, so you do not need to read across a printed chart by eye.

The conversions people run here most often are the ones a single chart row cannot answer on its own. Converting Brinell to Rockwell C matters when an annealed supply limit is given in HBW but the drawing specifies HRC. Converting Vickers to Rockwell C is common when a surface or microhardness reading is reported in HV and you need the equivalent working HRC. HBW to HRC and HRB to HRC come up when a mill certificate lists one scale while your own specification uses another. Each of these is a single entry in the calculator above rather than a manual lookup.

Because soft and hardened steel are measured by different methods, the tool keeps two separate ranges. The HRC range covers hardened and tempered tool steel, and the HRB range covers annealed or normalized steel. This split prevents a low soft reading from being matched into the hardened range by mistake. As a worked example in the soft range, 95 HRB is close to 210 HV.

Which Range Should You Use?

Use the HRC range when the steel has been hardened and tempered. Use the HRB range when the steel is still soft, annealed, or normalized. This separation prevents low HB or HV values from being incorrectly matched to a hardened steel range.

HRC for hardened tool steel HRC is the common working hardness scale for hardened tool steel, such as D2 at 58-60 HRC, H13 at 44-52 HRC, or high-speed steel above 60 HRC.

HB and HRB for soft supply Annealed tool steel is usually checked by Brinell hardness. Many supply specifications and MTCs use values such as maximum 229 HB or maximum 255 HB.

HV for technical comparison HV is common in technical references, inspection reports, surface hardness checks, and heat-treatment data. It is useful for comparison, but it does not replace the required test method.

Data Source and Use Limit

The calculation data are simplified from ASTM E140 hardness conversion tables for non-austenitic steels. The HRC range is based on the Rockwell C hardness range table, and the HRB range is based on the Rockwell B hardness range table. For this tool steel calculator, only the practical front-end scales are retained: HRC, HRB, HV, HBS, and HBW.

Why the values are approximate

Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers tests use different indenters, loads, indentation shapes, and measurement principles. A value such as 60 HRC can be compared with about 697 HV, but it is not a mathematical unit conversion like millimeters to inches.

Tool steel grade, carbide distribution, heat treatment condition, surface preparation, sample thickness, and testing equipment can all affect the reading. Use the converted value for quick comparison, not for final acceptance.

Need Tool Steel Supplied in Annealed Condition?

Aobo Steel supports bulk orders of tool steel round bar and plate, with MTC per order and practical grade selection support for distributors, stockists, and industrial buyers.

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Data source: ASTM E140 hardness conversion tables for non-austenitic steels. Data compiled from public references and industry standards.

FAQ

What is 60 HRC in Vickers and Brinell?

60 HRC is close to 697 HV and about 654 HBW for non-austenitic steel under ASTM E140. The figures are comparison equivalents; confirm by the test method specified in your order when the value is used for acceptance.

How do you convert Brinell to Rockwell C?

Find the Brinell value in the chart and read across to the Rockwell C column, or enter the HBW reading in the calculator. As an example, a part measured near 481 HBW corresponds to roughly 50 HRC.

How do you convert Vickers to Rockwell C?

Enter the HV reading in the hardened range, and the calculator returns the nearest HRC. For reference, 697 HV is about 60 HRC, and 513 HV is about 50 HRC.

Which hardness scale is used for hardened versus annealed tool steel?

Hardened and tempered tool steel is typically reported in Rockwell C, such as D2 at 58-60 HRC. Annealed or soft supply steel is checked in Brinell, with limits such as a maximum of 229 HB. Use the HRC range for hardened steel and the HRB range for soft steel.

Why are steel hardness conversions only approximate?

Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers use different indenters, loads, and indentation shapes, so a value like 60 HRC can be compared with about 697 HV, but it is not a fixed unit conversion. Grade, carbide distribution, heat treatment, surface finish, and sample thickness all shift the reading.

What hardness is tool steel supplied at?

Aobo Steel supplies tool steel round bar and plate mainly in an annealed condition, with Brinell limits stated on the MTC. Final hardening and tempering to a working HRC is carried out by the customer or a qualified heat-treatment facility.