PSA Grading Scale Explained: What PSA 1 to PSA 10 Mean
The PSA grading scale from 1 to 10 explained: what each grade means for corners, edges, surface and centering, qualifiers, and how grades affect card value.
By Ayoub Farid · · 2 min read
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the largest card grading company, and its 1–10 scale is the one most buyers use as a reference. Here's what each grade means in practice.
The PSA scale
| Grade | Name | What it looks like |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint | Virtually perfect: sharp corners, clean edges, no surface flaws, centering about 55/45–60/40 or better on the front and 75/25 on the back |
| 9 | Mint | One minor flaw, such as a tiny print imperfection or slightly off centering |
| 8 | NM-MT (Near Mint–Mint) | A couple of minor flaws, like slight corner wear or a tiny edge mark |
| 7 | NM (Near Mint) | Slight surface wear or minor corner/edge wear visible on close inspection |
| 6 | EX-MT | Visible wear, slight corner rounding |
| 5 | EX (Excellent) | More rounding, minor chipping, light scratches |
| 4 | VG-EX | Noticeable wear, light creasing possible |
| 3 | VG | Rounded corners, creasing, worn surface |
| 2 | Good | Heavy wear, creases |
| 1–1.5 | Poor / Fair | Major damage, but the card is complete and genuine |
PSA also uses half grades (like 8.5) for cards that exceed the standard of their grade.
Qualifiers
Sometimes a card meets a grade's standard except for one issue. PSA can add a qualifier instead of lowering the grade, for example OC (off-center), ST (staining), PD (print defect), OF (out of focus) or MK (marks). Qualified grades usually sell for less than the same grade without a qualifier.
Authentic and altered
- Authentic (no number): genuine, but not graded, often because of trimming concerns or a non-standard size.
- Altered / evidence of trimming: PSA won't grade cards it believes were altered.
How grades affect value
The price gap between grades is usually steepest at the top: a PSA 10 of a popular card can sell for several times a PSA 9, while lower grades sit closer together. The size of the gap varies by card and by how many 10s exist ("population"). See PSA 10 vs PSA 9.
Checking a card before grading
Look at centering, corners, edges and surface under strong light, front and back. Our at-home condition check and card centering guide explain how.
Try it on your own cards
Rarefolio gives an AI condition estimate along with each card's estimated market value, a fast way to shortlist grading candidates. Treat it as a first look, not a PSA grade, then follow is it worth grading cards?.
Frequently asked questions
What does PSA 10 mean?
Gem Mint: a virtually perfect card with sharp corners, clean edges, no surface flaws and centering within PSA's 10 tolerance.
What is the difference between PSA 9 and PSA 10?
A PSA 9 has one minor flaw; a PSA 10 has essentially none. The price difference is often large.
What does OC mean on a PSA label?
OC stands for off-center, a qualifier for cards that meet a grade's standard except for centering.
Does PSA give half grades?
Yes. PSA uses half-point grades for cards that exceed the standard of the lower grade.