Bouldering is one of the most thrilling forms of climbing, combining strength, agility, and problem-solving. Whether you’re an indoor gym enthusiast or an outdoor adventurer, this quiz will test your knowledge of rules, techniques, equipment, competitions, and history. Can you complete it without a single mistake?
Accurate as of 2025.
Rules & Scoring
- What is the maximum height of a standard indoor bouldering wall without ropes?
Answer: 4.5 metres - In competition bouldering, what is the maximum time allowed per attempt?
Answer: 4 minutes - In official scoring, which is prioritised first: tops, zones, or number of attempts?
Answer: Tops - What is the term for the hold or feature used as the starting point of a problem?
Answer: Start hold - How many points are awarded for reaching a zone in IFSC competition scoring?
Answer: 1 point - What term describes completing a problem on the first attempt without falling?
Answer: Flash - What term describes advice or information about how to complete a boulder problem?
Answer: Beta - What is the minimum number of tops required to win a bouldering round if multiple climbers have the same top count?
Answer: Highest attempts to top
Equipment & Safety
- What piece of equipment is essential for outdoor bouldering to cushion falls?
Answer: Crash pad - What is the primary purpose of climbing chalk?
Answer: Improve grip by reducing sweat - Which type of shoe profile is most common for advanced bouldering?
Answer: Downturned (aggressive) - Which material are most climbing holds made of?
Answer: Resin - What is the height of a bouldering mat recommended for safety under high problems?
Answer: 10 cm or thicker - Which protective item is optional but often used outdoors to prevent scrapes?
Answer: Helmet
Techniques & Moves
- What is the term for jumping or lunging dynamically to a hold?
Answer: Dyno - What technique involves pressing the body against the wall using opposing forces from hands and feet?
Answer: Stemming - What is a “mantle” in bouldering?
Answer: Pressing down on a hold to push yourself up - What is a “gaston” hold?
Answer: A hold gripped with the palm facing outward, elbow pointing sideways - What is the climbing move called when you reach over a hold with one hand while keeping feet stable?
Answer: Match - What is the term for a hold that requires fingers only to grip a small edge?
Answer: Crimp - Which technique is used to secure balance on slopers or rounded holds?
Answer: Open-hand grip
Competitions & History
- In which year did bouldering become an official IFSC World Championship discipline?
Answer: 1998 - Who is credited with popularising modern outdoor bouldering in Fontainebleau, France?
Answer: Jacky Godoffe - Which city hosted bouldering’s Olympic debut in 2021?
Answer: Tokyo - How many boulder problems were set for men in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
Answer: 4 - How many boulder problems were set for women in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics?
Answer: 4 - Who is credited with introducing modern gym bouldering walls in the United States?
Answer: John Gill - What is the name of the grading system commonly used in France for outdoor boulders?
Answer: Fontainebleau (Font) system - Which grading system is used for indoor bouldering in the UK?
Answer: V-Grade system - How often are IFSC World Cup bouldering events typically held each year?
Answer: Annually - In competitions, what is a “zone” hold?
Answer: A mid-point hold giving partial score
Fun Facts & Miscellaneous
- What is the highest outdoor boulder problem in Fontainebleau, France?
Answer: 7B+ (Font grade) - Which continent has seen the fastest growth in bouldering participation since 2015?
Answer: Europe - Which country has the most indoor climbing gyms per capita?
Answer: Germany - What is the average width of an indoor bouldering wall?
Answer: 10 metres - What is the term for attempting a problem multiple times in sequence to improve technique?
Answer: Projecting - Approximately how many registered competitive boulder problems exist worldwide by 2025?
Answer: 8,000 - Which grip type is most commonly used for sloped holds?
Answer: Open-hand grip - What is the recommended recovery period between bouldering attempts in competition?
Answer: 5 minutes - What is the maximum allowable time to attempt all problems in an IFSC bouldering final?
Answer: 4 hours
Bonus Tiebreaker Question
How many official IFSC World Cup bouldering competitions were held in 2024?
Answer: 7
