Should You Grade Your Pokemon Cards?

You pulled something good and now you're wondering whether to send it off for grading. Grading can add a lot of value to the right card, and it can also cost more than it's worth for the wrong one. Here's how it works and how to decide.

What grading is

A grading company looks at your card, gives it a condition score (usually 1 to 10), and seals it in a hard plastic case called a slab with a label showing the grade. The slab protects the card and tells buyers exactly what condition it's in.

The main grading companies

• PSA: the biggest name in Pokémon grading. PSA 10s often sell for the highest prices.
• Beckett (BGS): known for subgrades on centering, corners, edges and surface. A BGS Black Label 10 is about as rare as it gets.
• CGC: popular for its clear grading and pricing, and widely accepted by collectors.

Prices, turnaround times and service levels change often, so check each company's site for current details before you send anything.

What graders look at

• Centering: are the borders even on all sides?
• Corners: sharp, or soft and whitened?
• Edges: any whitening, chips or nicks?
• Surface: scratches, print lines, dents or fingerprints

A card fresh out of a pack isn't automatically a 10. Factory centering and print lines can hold a grade back even if you never touched it.

When grading makes sense

• The card is valuable or in high demand (chase cards, alt arts, vintage)
• It looks close to perfect under good light
• You plan to sell it, or you want to keep it protected long-term

When it usually doesn't

• The card is worth less than the grading fee and shipping
• There's visible whitening, scratches or bad centering
• You just want it for your binder (a sleeve and toploader works fine)

Before you submit

Check the card under bright light, front and back. Put it in a penny sleeve and a semi-rigid card saver, which is what most graders prefer. Our guide on storing and protecting cards explains the difference between sleeves, toploaders and card savers.

Looking for your next big pull? Browse sealed product in our Trading Cards section.