The marking system for musical instrument reeds uses one or more marks placed (e.g., printed, engraved, embossed, etc.) on the blunt end of a musical instrument reed, opposite the thin, vibratory portion of the reed. These markings indicate the grade or relative stiffness of the reed, i.e., its resistance to vibration when the instrument is played. The markings of the system correspond to the conventional Arabic numeral system used to indicate the grade of reeds, but the present markings are placed upon the blunt end of the reed where they are visible when the reed is installed in the instrument mouthpiece or when the reed is in storage in a typical reed holder. One or more marks are placed toward one side of the blunt end of the reed to represent integers, while a single mark is placed to the opposite side (when required) to indicate half values.