Documentation
Card Grading Guide
Use this guide to compare grading companies, understand condition terms, and decide when grading makes sense.
Page Guide
Jump directly to the sections that matter for this page.
Major Companies
4
PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC are the main grading references covered here.
Core Factors
Centering + Corners + Edges + Surface
These are the four condition areas graders evaluate on most cards.
Best Use Case
High-Value Cards
Grading usually makes the most sense when a card has meaningful market upside.
Why Grading Matters
Authentication
Graded cards are authenticated by the grading company, which reduces counterfeit risk.
Value
Higher grades usually sell for more. In some cases, a PSA 10 can be worth much more than a PSA 8.
Protection
Graded cards are sealed in protective cases, which helps preserve condition over time.
Section
Grading Companies
Professional Sports Authenticator
Scale: 1-10
The most recognized grading company. PSA grades are the industry standard for sports cards.
PSA 10
Gem MintPerfect centering, sharp corners, no flawsPSA 9
MintVery strong condition with minor imperfectionPSA 8
NM-MTNear Mint to Mint conditionPSA 7
NMNear Mint with slight wearPSA 6
EX-MTExcellent to MintPSA 5
EXExcellent conditionWhat Graders Look For
Centering
How well the image is centered within the borders. 50/50 is the ideal target.
Corners
Sharpness of all four corners. Any rounding or wear reduces grade.
Edges
Condition of card edges. Chipping, roughness, or wear affects grade.
Surface
Print quality, scratches, stains, or other surface imperfections.
Section
Raw vs Graded Cards
Raw Card Conditions
Mint (M)
Very strong condition with no visible flaws.Near Mint (NM)
Minor imperfections only visible on close inspection.Excellent (EX)
Light wear on corners or edges. Minor surface issues.Very Good (VG)
Noticeable wear but still presentable. Light creases possible.Good (G)
Significant wear, creases, or damage visible.Poor (P)
Heavy damage, major creases, tears, or writing.When Grading Makes Sense
Consider grading high-value cards in excellent condition: rookie cards, rare inserts, and premium parallels usually benefit most. Grading often costs $20-50+ per card, so it usually does not make sense for common inventory.
Related Guides
Explore the adjacent workflows that usually sit next to this topic.