Grading companies and scales
How the major card grading companies score cards, how their scales differ, and what each grade actually means for condition and value.
- PSA vs BGS: Which Grading Company Should You Use?PSA gives a single overall grade from 1 to 10 and is the most commonly traded slab in the hobby. BGS gives four subgrades (centering, corners, edges, surface) plus an overall grade, which makes it easier to see why a card scored what it did. Choose by card type, by whether you plan to sell or keep, and by what buyers of that card expect.4 min read
- The PSA Grading Scale Explained: What Each Grade MeansPSA grades cards on a 1 to 10 scale, from Poor to Gem Mint. PSA publishes that a Gem Mint 10 needs four sharp corners, sharp focus, full original gloss, no staining and centering within approximately 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back. Qualifiers such as OC or MK flag a specific issue on an otherwise gradable card.3 min read
- BGS Subgrades Explained: Centering, Corners, Edges and SurfaceBGS scores four subgrades, centering, corners, edges and surface, each on a 10-point scale with half-point steps, then derives an overall grade. The overall is not a simple average. Black Label is reserved for cards with a perfect 10 on all four subgrades.3 min read
- PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs SGC: The Four Major Grading Companies ComparedPSA, BGS, CGC and SGC all grade trading cards on a 10-based scale but differ in how they report a result, how their top tier is defined and which collectors favor them. PSA is the most commonly traded, BGS reports four subgrades, CGC offers a Pristine tier and subgrades on some services, and SGC has a strong vintage following.3 min read
Before you pay for grading
Put your card through the same tests, free.
Before The Grade turns the grading companies' published standards into measurable checks. Upload the front and back of a card and get a condition report that shows every measurement and every flaw it found, so you can judge the prediction yourself. 1 free report when you confirm your email.