Hardness conversion chart
Approximate hardness conversions for steel between the Rockwell C, Brinell, and Vickers scales, with the rough tensile strength each implies. Use it to compare hardness specs given on different scales.
| Rockwell C (HRC) | Brinell (HBW) | Vickers (HV) | Tensile (ksi) | Tensile (MPa) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68 | – | 940 | – | – |
| 66 | – | 865 | – | – |
| 64 | – | 800 | – | – |
| 62 | – | 746 | – | – |
| 60 | 654 | 697 | – | – |
| 58 | 615 | 653 | – | – |
| 56 | 578 | 613 | 301 | 2075 |
| 54 | 543 | 577 | 282 | 1945 |
| 52 | 512 | 544 | 263 | 1815 |
| 50 | 481 | 513 | 247 | 1705 |
| 48 | 455 | 485 | 232 | 1600 |
| 46 | 432 | 458 | 219 | 1510 |
| 44 | 409 | 434 | 206 | 1420 |
| 42 | 390 | 412 | 195 | 1345 |
| 40 | 371 | 392 | 184 | 1270 |
| 38 | 353 | 372 | 174 | 1200 |
| 36 | 336 | 354 | 165 | 1140 |
| 34 | 319 | 336 | 156 | 1075 |
| 32 | 301 | 318 | 147 | 1015 |
| 30 | 286 | 302 | 138 | 950 |
| 28 | 271 | 285 | 130 | 895 |
| 26 | 258 | 271 | 124 | 855 |
| 24 | 247 | 257 | 117 | 805 |
| 22 | 237 | 246 | 111 | 765 |
| 20 | 226 | 236 | 106 | 730 |
Conversions are approximate and apply to non-austenitic steels (ASTM E140 / SAE J417). They are not exact across all alloys, and tensile estimates are rough — never use a converted value where the actual property matters. A dash means no reliable equivalent exists at that hardness.
Converting a single value?
For any hardness value, including Rockwell B and Shore scales, the Hardness Conversion Calculator interpolates the equivalent.
Why hardness scales need conversion
Rockwell, Brinell, and Vickers each press a different indenter with a different load, so the same steel reads a different number on each. Conversions let you compare a Brinell spec from a casting drawing with a Rockwell reading off a tester, but they are estimates, not exact identities.
Hardness and tensile strength
For steel, hardness tracks tensile strength closely enough that a Brinell or Rockwell reading gives a useful strength estimate. The relationship weakens at very high hardness and does not hold for non-ferrous metals, so treat the strength columns as a guide only.
FAQ
Can I convert any hardness to any scale?
Only within the overlap where each scale is valid. Rockwell C suits hard steel; Rockwell B and Brinell suit softer metals. Beyond the valid range of a scale the conversion is unreliable, shown here as a dash.
Do these conversions work for aluminum or brass?
No. These are for steel. Non-ferrous metals have their own hardness-to-strength relationships and need different tables.
What is 45 HRC in Vickers?
About 446 HV. 45 HRC also corresponds to roughly 421 Brinell and a tensile strength near 1465 MPa.