Difficulty Rating
Rating
"Challenge"
Expected
DNFs
Time To Find/Complete1
Skills/Knowledge
Tools Possibly Needed2
Puzzles
Challenge Caches
1
Easy
None
< 5 min
None
Solution in plain sight
1.5
Rare
2
Average
Some
< 30 min
flashlight
smartphone
Simple trivia
Crossword puzzle
Most non-newbie cachers already qualify.
2.5
3
Challenging
1:1 Find:DNF Ratio
< 1 hour
screwdriver
water bottle/jug
thermometer
battery
Obscure trivia
Sudoku
Simple cipher
Hidden information
Could qualify in a single day in some areas
3.5
4
Difficult
Many DNFs,
Few Finds
> 1 hour
Maybe Special
Could not be accomplished in a single day
4.5
5
Extreme
Very Specialized
UV Light
CHIRP
Very specialized knowledge
Multi-layered cipher
Requires extensive planning or research
1 Includes search at GZ, puzzle solving, and entire time to complete a multistage cache (from first stage to last).


2 Excludes GPS and writing utensil.

Terrain Rating
Rating
Trail?
Off-Trail?
Elevation
Foliage Density
Distance3
Equipment/Transport
Notes
1
Pavement/Concrete
Boardwalk
No
Flat
None
< 1/2 mi
< 1 km
Handicapped accessible
Can reach cache from a wheelchair
1.5
Slight changes
Very easy, but not handicapped accessible
2
Marked & Hardpacked
Shellrock
Grassy
No
Moderate changes
can step over/around
1/2-2 mi
1-3 km
Bikes/Strollers okay
2.5
3
Gravel
Sand
Some Mud
Maybe
Steep, but does not require use of hands
waist-high
possible thorns
possible poisonous plants
2-10 mi
3-16 km
Mountain Bikes only
3.5
Easy tree climb
4
Rocky
Stream Bed
May require some wading
Likely
Moderate tree climb
head-high
> 10 mi
> 16 km
Biking not feasible
May need a ladder
4.5
Swamp/Marsh
Hard tree climb
5
jungle
Boat/kayak/canoe
rock climbing gear
scuba gear
4WD/ATV4
May require overnight stay
Requires special equipment

3 This is the length of the hike/bike from the most logical parking area to the cache (one-way, not roundtrip)
4 4WD/ATV is only T5 if hiking to the location is not feasible or allowed, not simply because it is on a Jeep/ATV trail.

Sources: Groundspeak Guidelines, Clayjar Geocache Rating System