The Ultimate Guide to Leather Grades

Leather is a popular choice for apparel, shoes, accessories, and even furniture. It’s gorgeous, attractive, and durable, making it a versatile choice for many people. However, not all leather is created equal. 

Manufacturers use different grains of leather to make products, with each grade differing in quality, appearance, and cost. You can expect to pay more for the top-tier, softest leather and much less for the remnants that have a separate classification.

This ultimate guide to leather grades spells everything out so that you can make an informed decision for your next purchase. 

What Are the Grades of Leather?

People have relied on leather for generations to make everything from shoes to furniture. The industry developed leather grades to regulate quality and attempt to find some consistency between products.

There are four primary leather grades that have a range of applications and require slightly different levels of care. Additionally, some manufacturers add a fifth grade, sometimes called the utility grade.

Grade 1 Leather

The highest quality of leather you can find is Grade 1 or full-grain leather. It comes from the animal hide’s top layer and has no noticeable imperfections. 

This level represents the best you can buy with a smooth, buttery texture and rich color that requires no enhancements for strength or appearance. You can easily see the natural leather grains, making it look and feel authentic.

It is also the most expensive leather grade because it requires more skill and attention at every stage of the manufacturing process.

You will typically find Grade 1 leather in high-end items, like designer bags and jackets, because it wears better than other grades. Full-grain leather lasts longer and holds up better, making it a smart long-term investment.

While most countries use similar grading systems, they may differ in definitions. What one country might dismiss as a grade two, another might pass off as a one.

Grade 2 Leather

Grade 2 leather, commonly known as top-grain leather, is not quite as high quality due to some processing and buffing.

Manufacturers take Grade 2 leather from the hide’s top layer but then buff it to disguise imperfections. This process removes some of the natural grain, which leaves behind a smooth, uniform look. Sometimes, the manufacturer restores the grain pattern with an embossing technique. 

Grade 2 leather is durable and more affordable than Grade 1 leather. It’s also more stain and fade-resistant, making it a popular choice for many products, like women’s leather wristlets.

Since Grade 2 leather has a more uniform look, it’s easier to match pieces for crafting items. 

Grade 3 Leather

Grade 3 leather, sometimes called corrected-grain leather, is heavily processed to create a uniform look. 

Crafters split the hide into layers and use various techniques to remove or blend imperfections, like scars and branding marks. Once the surface appears smooth and even, the crafters use an embossing technique to apply an artificial grain pattern. Finally, they apply a finish to enhance stain protection and resist fading.

One advantage of Grade 3 leather is that it tends to be more affordable than the top two tiers, making it a popular choice for many products. However, leather products from this grade won’t last as long or look as authentic as full-grain or top-grain leather items. 

Grade 4 Leather

Grade 4 leather is a lower quality leather than Grade 3 that comes from splitting the hide’s lower layers. 

Crafters take the pieces and put them through several processes to create something useful that resembles suede. They buff the suede-like pieces to create a smooth surface without removing the natural texture. 

Grade 4 leather is generally the most affordable, making it ideal for lower-cost leather items. Since the leather retains some strength and suppleness, it’s useful for work gloves and furniture pieces. 

During processing, Grade 4 leather loses some of its strength and thickness. It’s more susceptible to tears and stretching out of shape. 

Grade 5 Leather

There is some debate about Grade 5 leather. Parts of the leather industry stop at Grade 4 leather, but this classification serves as a catch-all for the lowest quality of leather. However, you may see the term "utility grade" or "genuine leather,” which fills the role of Grade 5 leather.

Utility grade leather comes from any remnants from higher quality leather pieces. As crafters cut and strip scarred or flawed bits from the hides, they try to repurpose those scraps. These pieces might be too small, too thin, or bear a branding mark that the crafter couldn’t buff out. 

Repurposing the scraps allows crafters to make the most of every hide, even though it requires further processing to make the pieces useful. The result is a lower-quality material that’s less expensive.

Utility grade leather is less durable and doesn’t look as nice as the higher grades. However, it’s still supple and relatively strong compared to alternative materials. Crafters can use the pieces to make small, inexpensive items that don’t need to last as long, like work gloves and luggage tags.

A Note About Genuine Leather

It’s important to note that you might see the term “Genuine Leather” applied to a range of products, but that doesn’t tell you the grade. It could apply to any leather grade because even Grade 5 is still technically genuine leather. Make sure you do the research and find out what grade of leather an item is before making a purchase.

Leather Care and Maintenance

Knowing how to properly care for your leather items can ensure they last longer. While all leather requires some level of care, understanding an item’s grade can help you extend its life.

• Keep it clean by regularly wiping it down with soft, dry towels or rags. Gently spot clean leather with a damp cloth and avoid harsh cleaning products.
• Condition it regularly with leather conditioner. Using specific leather conditioners to moisturize the leather keeps it supple and avoids stiffness, brittleness, and cracking.
• Protect it from direct sunlight and extreme heat.
• Store it in a cool, dry place to avoid mold growth and discoloration. Never store leather items in plastic.
• Address stains and spills immediately by spot-cleaning them with a damp cloth or leather cleaner.

Grade 1 leather is the highest quality and most durable, but it still requires routine care as noted above. As you go down the grade hierarchy, you need to observe some additional maintenance tips.

Grade 2 leather requires a few extra care precautions to keep it looking new. 

• Apply a leather protectant when you purchase the item to help it resist spills. Make sure you choose one that’s recommended for your leather grade.
• Avoid sharp and rough objects because it’s easy to scuff, scratch, and tear Grade 2 leather.

Grade 3 and 4 leathers are less durable and that means observing all of the care recommendations above, plus the following. 

• Avoid excessive moisture and humidity, which can cause cracking and breakage.
• Only condition Grade 3 and 4 leather items occasionally. Unlike better grades, you do not need to apply conditioner regularly because it could degrade the finish. 

Grade 5 or utility grade leather is most frequently used for industrial purposes. Since it’s made to be more durable, manufacturers often treat the leather with water-resistant finishes. Maintenance for these products is relatively simple. 

• Clean it regularly by brushing away debris and spot cleaning with a damp cloth.
• Condition it regularly with recommended products to avoid brittleness and stiffness.
• Protect it from moisture, even if it’s treated with water-resistant protectants. If the leather gets wet, let the item dry completely. 

Comparing the Different Grades of Leather

Say you’re shopping for handmade leather women’s shoes, how do you know what grade of leather to look for? If you have a choice between two grades, you might want to weigh the pros and cons to decide if it’s worth the extra money to buy a higher grade.

Durability

Grade 1 leather offers superior durability and longevity but it might not be worth an extra $100 over a similar product made from Grade 2 leather. However, a Grade 2 leather item might be worth paying extra for when compared to a Grade 3 leather that will require more upkeep.

Comfort

Grade 1 leather is the softest and most supple, making it ideal for clothing and furniture. While Grades 2 through 4 tend to be stiffer, they can still make comfortable accessories, like belts and handbags. 

Style

Full-grain or Grade 1 leather retains its natural appearance that reflects its high quality. Top-grain, or Grade 2 leather has a smooth finish, thanks to being sanded down, making it more casual than full-grain. The lesser grades trend toward the artificial finish, but can look nicer with proper care and maintenance.

FAQs About Leather Grades

What are the 3 main grades of leather? What is Category 10 leather? What is Grade 5 leather? What do leather grade numbers mean?