How to Grade Trading Cards: The Complete 2026 Guide

Card grading is the process of having a professional company evaluate and encapsulate your trading card in a tamper-proof case with a numerical grade. Graded cards consistently sell for more than their raw counterparts — a PSA 10 can be worth 5-20x the value of an ungraded copy.When Should You Grade a Card?Not every card is worth grading. The general rule: if the grading cost is less than 10% of the potential graded value, it's worth submitting. Focus on rookie cards, vintage cards, and cards in exceptional condition.Understanding Grade ScalesPSA uses a 1-10 scale where 10 is Gem Mint. BGS uses a 1-10 scale with subgrades for centering, corners, edges, and surface. CGC uses the same 1-10 scale with subgrades similar to BGS but at generally lower costs.How to Submit Cards for GradingEach company has an online submission process. Clean your cards gently with a microfiber cloth, place them in penny sleeves inside toploaders, and ship them in a sturdy box with padding. Turnaround times range from 5 business days (express) to 6+ months (economy).