Vickers Hardness Conversion Calculator

Calculator Input

Input Hardness Value

Input Scale

Material Adjustment Factor

Decimal Places

Typical Test Force (kgf)

Material Name

The conversion relationships are engineering approximations. Final acceptance should follow your material standard, alloy class, and testing specification.

Plotly Graph

Formula Used

Primary Vickers relation: HV = 1.8544 × F / d²

Where F is the applied test force in kgf, and d is the average diagonal length of the indentation in millimeters.

Approximate engineering conversions used here:

HB ≈ 0.95 × HV
HRB ≈ 26 + 0.48 × HV
HRC ≈ -12 + 0.095 × HV
Tensile Strength (MPa) ≈ HV × 9.807

These relationships vary with alloy, heat treatment, and hardness range. Use certified ASTM or ISO tables whenever strict compliance is required.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the known hardness or strength value.
Select the source scale such as HV, HB, HRC, or MPa.
Apply a material adjustment factor if you need sensitivity analysis.
Choose how many decimals you want in the results.
Click Calculate Conversion to show the result above the form.
Review converted values and the comparison graph.
Use the export buttons to save results as CSV or PDF.

Example Data Table

Material	HV	Approx. HB	Approx. HRC	Approx. MPa
Annealed Steel	180	171.0	5.100	1765.260
Tool Steel	450	427.5	30.750	4413.150
Hardened Alloy	700	665.0	54.500	6864.900
Carburized Surface	820	779.0	65.900	8041.740

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Vickers hardness?

Vickers hardness measures resistance to indentation using a diamond pyramid indenter. It works for soft and hard materials, making it a versatile universal hardness method.

2. Is hardness conversion exact?

No. Most conversions are approximate because hardness scales respond differently to material structure, surface condition, and deformation behavior during testing.

3. Why convert HV to HRC or HB?

Conversion helps compare test reports, production specifications, and historical records when different instruments or material standards use different hardness scales.

4. Can I estimate tensile strength from HV?

Yes, for many steels an approximate relation exists. Still, tensile strength estimates from hardness should be verified with direct mechanical testing for design-critical work.

5. Does surface finish affect hardness readings?

Yes. Rough, oxidized, curved, or damaged surfaces can distort the indentation and reduce measurement reliability. Good surface preparation improves repeatability.

6. Which standard should I follow?

Use the standard required by your customer, laboratory, or industry code. ASTM and ISO documents are commonly referenced for hardness testing and conversions.

7. Is this calculator suitable for all metals?

It is useful for fast estimates across many metals, but exact relationships differ by alloy family, heat treatment, and hardness interval.

8. Why is there a material adjustment factor?

The factor lets you model sensitivity or internal correction practices. It is helpful when comparing expected versus measured behavior across similar materials.