The PSA Grading Scale Explained (1-10)

If you're new to collecting graded Pokémon cards, you may have wondered why PSA graded cards are more expensive than raw copies, and what the numbers actually mean. In this article, you'll learn everything about the PSA grading scale, as well as how different grades can affect a card's value.

The 1-10 Scale

PSA uses a 1-10 scoring system, with 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest.

Many people think that PSA-graded cards with a half-point don't exist, but PSA does award half-point grades in certain cases, typically for cards that fall between two full grades. For instance, a PSA 8.5 card means that it is better than a typical 8, but it doesn't quite meet the standards for a 9.

So, what makes each score different? For simplicity, we'll focus on the full grades.

PSA 1 (PR)

A PSA 1 score is given to cards with advanced defects, so much so that the card looks entirely different from a flawless or near-perfect copy. Creasing that nearly breaks the cardboard layers, extreme discoloration, warping, and noticeable scratches on the front all point to a PSA 1.

PSA 2 (GOOD)

A PSA 2 score is slightly better than a PSA 1, but, as you might have already expected, there are still hard-to-ignore visual issues, like scratches, stains, and scuffs on the front and back. Centering can be as poor as 90/10 on the front or the back — meaning 90% of the total border space on one side and 10% on the other. And yes, the card looks heavily shifted to one side.

PSA 3 (VG)

A PSA 3 card may not have the extreme flaws of a PSA 1 or PSA 2, but it still has some noticeable physical issues. For instance, you will notice that PSA 3 cards have some rounded corners, surface wear (light scuffing or light scratches), yellowed borders, or even a loss of gloss.

PSA 4 (VG-EX)

With a PSA 4 card, there is still surface wear, but it is less noticeable. And yes, the borders might be discolored too, and some of the original gloss is still left. A PSA 4's centering is slightly better, at 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 on the back.

PSA 5 (EX)

For PSA 5 graded cards, the rounding of the corners is less noticeable, but there might be chipping on the edges. As for the scratches, PSA 5 cards also have them, but only upon close inspection. Similar to a PSA 4, centering should be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 on the back.

PSA 6 (EX-MT)

A PSA 6 card has some flaws similar to those of a PSA 5 — light scratches only visible on close inspection, some surface wear, and so on. The difference is that the front centering is better: 80/20 rather than the 85/15 a PSA 5 can get away with.

PSA 7 (NM)

There is less surface wear with a PSA 7 card, and it will only be visible when you inspect the card closely. Centering is tighter again — roughly 70/30 on the front, and 90/10 on the back.

PSA 8 (NM-MT)

With a PSA 8 card, you will notice that it is almost perfect. But when you inspect it more closely, you'll see very subtle issues, such as fraying at the corners or a printing imperfection. As you might have noticed, the higher the grade, the tighter the centering, and a PSA 8 is no exception: around 65/35 on the front.

PSA 9 (MINT)

As you might have expected already, a PSA 9 card has only very minor imperfections. So what makes it different from a PSA 8? Centering is better again, at about 60/40 on the front. For the back, it should be 90/10 or better.

PSA 10 (GEM-MT)

Now, if your card has no flaws and the centering is essentially perfect, PSA will give it a score of 10 — the highest score on the scale. Aside from having no visible flaws (PSA does allow a printing imperfection that doesn't affect the card's overall appearance), the image has to be centered: approximately 55/45 to 60/40 on the front, and 75/25 or better on the back.

What Graders Check

Aside from verifying authenticity, PSA and other third-party grading companies check four things: centering, corners, edges, and surface. Here is a closer look at each one.

• Centering: as you might have noticed in the section above, centering is one of the top factors in determining the score. But what does 'centering' actually mean on a Pokémon card? It's simply how evenly the artwork sits inside the borders.
• Corners: graders evaluate each of the four corners of your card and check for any fraying, bending, or whitening.
• Edges: they check the smoothness of your card's four outer boundaries. Peeling, rough cuts, or white edges affect the score.
• Surface: graders check for stains, discoloration, scratches, dimples, and print lines. The gloss on the front should be intact too.

Gem Mint

As mentioned earlier, Gem Mint (PSA 10) is the highest grade PSA can assign, and unlike lower grades, it is virtually flawless. Across the four categories above, that means:

• Centering: approximately 55/45 to 60/40 on the front, and 75/25 or better on the back.
• Surface: no print defects, scratches, or stains on the front or the back.
• Edges: crisp and clean, with no visible wear. Any irregularity can knock the card down to a 9 or an 8.
• Corners: each corner sharp and clean, with no rounding. A single flawed corner is enough to cost the card a perfect score.

A Gem Mint 10 is common on some cards and genuinely hard on others, so it's worth checking the population before you assume. PSA has graded 47,808 copies of the Mew ex used as the example below, and 16,180 of them came back a 10 — about 34%. You can see the same population breakdown for any card, across every grader, with our Pokémon Card Value Checker.

Value by Grade

So, how does a PSA grade change what a card is worth compared to an ungraded or 'raw' copy? In general, higher grades command a premium — but not every grade beats a raw copy, and that surprises people.

To keep it simple, take Mew ex from Paldean Fates as an example. A Near Mint raw copy runs about $965. Here's how that compares across the PSA grades with recent sales behind them.

Raw vs PSA 10 on the same cardMew exPaldean Fates · #232$994 · PSA 10 $3,100Live market value · 14 Sept 2026 · high confidenceView live price on CardTrack →

• PSA 3: $61.00
• PSA 4: $280
• PSA 5: $480
• PSA 6: $490
• PSA 7: $745
• PSA 8: $810
• PSA 9: $958
• PSA 10: $3,190

(PSA 1 to PSA 2 aren't shown — there are no recent sales on record for those grades of this card.)

As you can see, a PSA grade doesn't automatically increase a card's value. PSA 3 to PSA 9 all sit below the raw copy. The real jump comes at PSA 10, at roughly 3.3× the raw price.

Another thing to keep in mind: a PSA 10 is not automatically more valuable than a PSA 7. Rarity and demand still matter, even for graded cards. A PSA 10 Charizard from a modern set can easily be worth less than a PSA 5 Charizard from the English Base Set.

With that in mind, it's worth seeing where the ceiling actually sits — these are the most valuable Pokémon cards on the market right now.

FAQ

Is It Worth Having a Card Graded by PSA?

The answer depends on the card you have. If it isn't in demand or isn't a popular Pokémon, grading may not be worth it once you've paid the fees. These are the best Pokémon cards to grade.

Do PSA Graded Cards Go Up in Value?

Yes, PSA graded cards can go up in value; however, the appreciation will depend on the card's rarity and demand. Some collectors, especially those with popular cards, hold off on selling for a higher return.

Why Do PSA Cards Sell for More Than Other Graders?

PSA slabs tend to sell for more than those of other grading companies because of PSA's long-standing presence in the hobby and its reputation for consistent grading. That reputation has translated into strong brand recognition and, more importantly, market liquidity — a PSA slab is simply easier to sell.