Contrast grade refers to the classification system used to describe the tonal response of photographic papers. Most systems include numbers, typically ranging from 1 to 5 (or up to 15 in some cases), and descriptive names such as soft, medium, hard, extra hard, and ultra hard. Each contrast grade determines how sharply a print reproduces the tonal differences between shadows, midtones, and highlights. Soft grades produce gentle tonal transitions, while hard grades create strong, high-contrast images. Selecting the appropriate contrast grade is essential for photographers working in the darkroom to achieve the desired mood, clarity, and depth in black-and-white prints.