Piano Grade Converter
Convert between ABRSM grades, RCM levels, and Henle difficulty levels. All equivalences are approximate — the systems weigh technique and musicality differently — but this matches the commonly used comparisons, with a landmark piece to sanity-check each level.
Landmark piece: Chopin — Waltz in A minor — browse all Henle level 4 pieces →
Full comparison chart
| Henle | Stage | ABRSM (approx.) | RCM (approx.) | Landmark piece |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beginner | Grades 1–2 | Levels 1–2 | Petzold — Minuet in G |
| 2 | Beginner | Grades 2–3 | Levels 3–4 | Burgmüller — Arabesque |
| 3 | Late beginner | Grades 4–5 | Levels 5–6 | Beethoven — Für Elise |
| 4 | Intermediate | Grades 5–6 | Levels 7–8 | Chopin — Waltz in A minor |
| 5 | Late intermediate | Grades 6–7 | Levels 8–9 | Chopin — Nocturne Op. 9 No. 2 |
| 6 | Advanced | Grades 7–8 | Levels 9–10 | Debussy — Clair de Lune |
| 7 | Late advanced | Grade 8 / ARSM | Level 10 – ARCT | Chopin — Fantaisie-Impromptu |
| 8 | Concert | DipABRSM / LRSM | ARCT | Chopin — Ballade No. 1 |
| 9 | Virtuoso | LRSM / FRSM | ARCT and beyond | Liszt — La Campanella |
Frequently asked questions
What is ABRSM grade 5 in Henle levels?
ABRSM grade 5 corresponds roughly to Henle level 3–4 — late-beginner to intermediate repertoire like Für Elise or easier Chopin waltzes.
What is RCM level 8 in ABRSM grades?
RCM level 8 corresponds roughly to ABRSM grade 6, or Henle level 4–5 — intermediate repertoire such as Chopin's easier nocturnes.
Are these conversions exact?
No — every published comparison differs slightly because the systems weigh technique, musicality, and repertoire differently. Treat any conversion as ±1 grade and confirm with actual pieces you can play.
Teachers & bloggers: feel free to link to this chart. Every piece in the Répertoire catalog carries its Henle rating — browse pieces by level →