Card Grading Explained: What PSA, BGS and CGC Grades Mean
What is card grading? How PSA, BGS and CGC grade trading cards, what the 1–10 scale means, what graders check, costs and turnaround, and when grading pays off.
By Ayoub Farid · · 3 min read
A graded card is sealed in a hard plastic case (a "slab") with a label showing a grade from a third-party company. Grading turns a subjective question ("is it near mint?") into a number buyers trust. That trust is why graded cards often sell for more, and why grading is a big decision for valuable cards.
How grading works
- You submit cards to a grading company, choosing a service level based on the card's value and how fast you want it back.
- Graders authenticate the card (is it genuine and unaltered?).
- They inspect it and assign a grade, usually from 1 to 10.
- The card is encapsulated in a tamper-evident slab with a label and certification number.
- You get it back and can verify the cert online.
What graders look at
- Centering: how evenly the borders frame the card, front and back (card centering)
- Corners: sharp vs rounded or white
- Edges: chipping and whitening (whitening guide)
- Surface: scratches, print lines, dents, stains (surface flaws)
The big grading companies
- PSA: the largest; its grades usually set the reference price for many cards (PSA grading scale)
- BGS (Beckett): known for subgrades and the "Black Label" for perfect cards
- CGC: a major grader for TCGs, often with competitive turnaround
- SGC, TAG and others: growing alternatives
Compare them in PSA vs BGS vs CGC.
The grading scale in short
| Grade | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint / Pristine: virtually perfect |
| 9 | Mint: one minor flaw |
| 8 | Near Mint–Mint: a few minor flaws |
| 7 | Near Mint |
| 5–6 | Excellent: visible wear |
| 1–4 | Played to poor |
Costs and waiting times
Grading has a per-card fee that rises with the card's declared value and the speed you choose, plus shipping and insurance. In 2026, PSA raised prices and temporarily paused some of its cheapest service levels because of a large backlog, and turnaround for standard tiers stretched to weeks or months. Check each company's current pricing before submitting.
When grading pays off
Grading is worth it when the expected graded price is clearly higher than the raw price plus all fees and the waiting time. That's usually the case for valuable cards in excellent condition, and rarely for cheap or worn cards. Run the numbers in is it worth grading cards?.
Try it on your own cards
Before you grade, scan your candidates with Rarefolio to see each card's estimated market value and an AI condition estimate. That's a quick first filter; then inspect the best ones by hand with our at-home condition check.
Frequently asked questions
What is card grading?
A third-party company authenticates a card, rates its condition on a numerical scale and seals it in a protective case with a certification number.
Which grading company is best?
PSA has the biggest market for resale, BGS is known for subgrades, and CGC is a major choice for TCG cards. The best one depends on the card and your goals.
Does grading increase a card's value?
For valuable cards in excellent condition, a high grade often increases value. Low grades can make a card worth less than the grading fees.
Can I grade a card myself?
You can estimate condition yourself, but only a third-party grade gives the trusted label buyers pay for.