Since 1920, our workshops in Geneva have been crafting high-quality graphite pencils. Combining premium materials with decades of expertise, Caran d'Ache pencils have become a trusted choice for designers, stylists, and architects worldwide. Our goal is simple: to provide creative professionals with the tools they need to realise their full artistic potential.

Professional-grade, Swiss-made pencils

What makes Caran d'Ache's graphite pencils truly stand out are our comprehensive range of rich black tones, from deep anthracite to light grey. The pencil's lead is water-varnished for easy sharpening and designed to resist breakage.
Made in Switzerland from durable, carefully selected materials, our pencil carries the Swiss Made label, a mark of exceptional craftsmanship.

How do I choose the right graphite pencil?

With H for Hard and B for Black, there are 15 grades of pencil hardness (graduations) to choose from, ranging from 2H to 9B. Which you choose depends on the effect you want to create. Here's what the different numbers and letters mean:
- Soft (9B to 4B): Ideal for covering large areas with rich, uniform black or creating bold, consistent lines. Great for gradient washes, sketches, and watercolours.
- Medium (3B to F): Perfect for sketching, blending, hatching, and layering techniques.
- Hard (H to 2H): Best for precise, sharp lines with consistent intensity.
- Fun fact: Did you know that graphite pencils were once made with lead? We sometimes still use the term ‘lead pencils' today!

Graphite pencils sets

We've created pencil sets for every artistic endeavour, featuring graphite pencils from 2H to 9B. Here's a breakdown of what you can find in each set.
- Charpentier Graphite Pencil Set: Three pencils designed for use on dry wood.
- Swiss Wood Pencil Set: 100% Swiss-made pencils bearing the Swiss Wood label.
- Graphite Line Sketching Set: This set includes eleven tools, including a breadcrumb eraser, for exploring various shades of black.
- Graphite Line Watercolour Set: Thirteen items, featuring watercolour graphite pencils.
- Graphite Line Products: Available in up to 15 grades, from 2H to 9B.

Limited and exclusive graphite pencils

We're proud to have launched limited-edition graphite pencils in partnership with world-renowned brands. One such collaboration is with Nespresso, where pencils had lead made from recycled coffee grounds! Then we teamed up with Mizensir, infusing graphite pencils with the gorgeous scent of poplar wood. So be sure to keep an eye out for our collabs - you'll never know what unique offering if just round the corner!