Climbing gym chain · United States
Bouldering Project grades, explained
Bouldering Project started in Seattle in 2011 and now runs 13 gyms in eight US metro areas: Seattle, Austin, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Salt Lake City, Brooklyn, the Boston area, Washington DC and Tempe. Its in-house team designs and builds the walls, and boulders are set in overlapping colour circuits based on Fontainebleau's. All gyms are bouldering-only except Somerville, which also has ropes, and most have yoga, fitness, saunas and co-working space. A second DC gym, in Columbia Heights, is under construction.
Bouldering grades
Boulders are set in colour circuits marked by hold colour: Yellow is the easiest and White (or Mint, at some gyms) the hardest. Each colour covers roughly three V-grades and neighbouring colours overlap on purpose, so circuits are not a strict ladder. The ranges are read off Bouldering Project's grade chart; only Purple is also given in its text.
| Level | V-scale | ≈ Font |
|---|---|---|
| YellowAt the V0 end of the chart; may also include easier (VB) climbs. | V0 | 4B–4B+ |
| Red | V0–V2 | 4B–5C |
| Green | V1–V3 | 5A–6A+ |
| PurpleBouldering Project's text also gives Purple as V2–V4. | V2–V4 | 5B–6B+ |
| Orange | V3–V5 | 5C+–6C+ |
| Black | V4–V6 | 6A+–7A |
| Blue | V5–V7 | 6C–7B |
| Pink | V6–V8 | 6C+–7B+ |
| White | V8–V10 | 7B–7C+ |
| MintSome Bouldering Project gyms use White as the hardest circuit instead. | ≥ V11 | ≥ 8A |
Bouldering Project uses this grading at all its gyms. From climbers' descriptions and photos of the gym's grade boards. Gyms reset and regrade often, and grades vary between setters, so treat this as a guide and check the boards when you visit.
13 Bouldering Project gyms
Each gym's page has its address, how to book, and links to prices and opening hours.
Austin
Seattle
Washington, D.C.
Is this page accurate and helpful?
Questions
- What V-scale grade is Yellow at Bouldering Project?
- Yellow at Bouldering Project is V0, about 4B–4B+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is Red at Bouldering Project?
- Red at Bouldering Project is V0–V2, about 4B–5C in Font.
- What V-scale grade is Green at Bouldering Project?
- Green at Bouldering Project is V1–V3, about 5A–6A+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is Purple at Bouldering Project?
- Purple at Bouldering Project is V2–V4, about 5B–6B+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is Orange at Bouldering Project?
- Orange at Bouldering Project is V3–V5, about 5C+–6C+ in Font.
- What V-scale grade is Black at Bouldering Project?
- Black at Bouldering Project is V4–V6, about 6A+–7A in Font.
Sources
- Bouldering Project: all locations (addresses, phones)
- Bouldering Project: About us
- Bouldering Project: The Climbing Experience (Our Circuits)
- Bouldering Project blog: How to Understand Climbing Grades at Any Gym (2025-08-29)
- Bouldering Project: FAQs (no reservation needed for climbing)
- Bouldering Project: Newsroom
- Climbing Business Journal: New Bouldering Project in Minnesota (BP press release, Jan 2026; founded Seattle 2011, Minneapolis 2017, St. Paul opened 15 Nov 2025)
- Climbing Business Journal: Bouldering Project signs lease for new DC gym (BP press release, May 2026; Eckington opened 2021)
- Bouldering Project circuit chart image (photographed at BP St. Paul, uploaded 2026-03)
- Bouldering Project: Seattle first visit (boulder heights, Seattle locations)
- Bouldering Project blog: Seattle indoor climbing guide (2026-05-13)
Checked 3 October 2026. Gear Loop isn't affiliated with Bouldering Project.