Strength level is a concept sometimes applied to comic book characters (particularly those published by Marvel Comics) to define and compare the physical strength of characters.

Strength level is an unofficial form of classification, as due to the nature of comic book fiction, such standards are loose and writers are given a wide latitude for interpreting them. There is little evidence that writers and editors at Marvel Comics or any other company actively used a strength level system to maintain continuity. And strength level ratings will never answer longtime fannish debates such as "Who's stronger, The Hulk or Thor?" Despite this, strength levels are an appreciated form of classification by some fans, while others find them uninteresting as long as the stories being told are good.

Strength level ratings perhaps grew out of the success of role-playing games in which characters' attributes are numerically rated. In the 1980s, Marvel published the series The Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe which codified (if temporarily) the nature and extent of characters' powers. It was roughly contemporary to the role-playing game Marvel Super Heroes, which also used a rating system.

Here are the levels and a brief description of what they mean.

Normal: A normal human being can lift or press (bench press) between 70-130 lbs. (~30-60 kg) This person engages in moderate regular exercise.

Athlete: A human being who has Athletic physical strength can bench press the weight of the average human being or greater; roughly 175-300 lbs. (~80-135 kg) Technically, a person is considered physically strong (athletic) if they can bench press their own weight. This requires intensive regular exercise. Peak Human: A person with Peak Human physical strength could compete in the Olympics. Such a person could lift (bench press) between 400-700 lbs. (~180-320 kg), under optimal conditions and with extreme exertion. The characters at the high end of this level (Kingpin) have a significant advantage over characters at the low end (Daredevil).

  • Daredevil
  • Punisher
  • Kingpin
  • Baron Von Strucker
  • Iron Fist

Enhanced Human: A person with an Enhanced Human level of physical strength is able to overhead press between 800-1500 lbs. (~350-700 kg). It is a fact that there are a small number of steroid induced power-lifters who can bench press as much as 900 pounds, technically putting them in or near this range; however, an Enhanced Human would not have the large, awkward muscle mass of a steroids user nor the limitations and dangerous side effects of the drugs they use.

Superhuman: A character who is truly superhumanly strong can lift at least 2 tons (roughly 4000 lbs. or 1800 kg). This is sufficient strength to bend dense metal bars and lift small cars. Superhuman Class 10: This character can press roughly 8-15 tons (~7-13.5 tonnes) This is sufficient strength to punch through some metal structures and to lift a small bus or tank.

Vast Superhuman Strength: The classes between Super Human Class 10 and Super Human Class 90 are self-explanatory; they roughly correspond to the amount of tons the character can lift.
  • Namor (Class 40 out of water)
  • Venom (Class 25)
  • The Thing (Class 90)
  • She-Hulk (Class 75)
  • The Abomination (Class 90)
  • The Juggernaut (Class 95)

Superhuman Class 100: Contrary to what most readers assume, a character in this class must be able to lift significantly beyond 100 tons (>~91 tonnes). Anything less than that falls into the Superhuman Class 95 category or below. This level is demonstrated by the ability of characters such as the Hulk, Thor, and the Silver Surfer, who have at times lifted structures as large as buildings, airliners, and even mountains (all of which weigh considerably more than 100 tons). Incalculable or Immeasurable: This level describes godlike strength. A being with such power could smash a star or planet with a blow.