The Vickers hardness test method consists of indenting the test material with a diamond indenter, in the form of a right pyramid with a square base and an angle of 136 degrees between opposite faces subjected to a load of 1 to 100 kgf.  (Fig. 4)

The full load is normally applied for 10 to 15 seconds. The two diagonals of the indentation left in the surface of the material after removal of the load are measured using a microscope and their average calculated.

The area of the sloping surface of the indentation is calculated. The Vickers hardness is the quotient obtained by dividing the kgf load by the square mm area of indentation.

Vickers hardness may be calculated from the formula, but it can be also calculated by conversion tables.

 At the Vickers method several different loading sets give identical hardness numbers, which is much better than the random changing of scale with the other hardness methods of testing.

The advantages of the Vickers hardness test are that particularly accurate readings can be taken,  and just one type of indenter is used for all types of metals.

The Vickers method is very precise for testing the softest and hardest of materials, under changeable loads.

The Vickers testing machine is a floor standing unit and  is more expensive than the Brinell or Rockwell machines

Vickers hardness (e.g. HV/30) value should normally be expressed as a number only  (without the units kgf/mm2).

However there is now a trend towards reporting Vickers hardness in SI units (MPa or GPa) .