PSA Grading Scale Explained: What Each Grade From 1 to 10 Means

• PSA 10 GEM-MT (Gem Mint): A PSA Gem Mint 10 card is a virtually perfect card. The image must be centered on the card within a tolerance not to exceed approximately 55/45 percent on the front, and 75/25 percent on the reverse.
• PSA 9 MINT: A grading term for an item that is in its original, like-new state. A card in mint condition will have sharp corners, no major flaws, and must be centered no worse than 60/40.
• PSA 8 NM-MT (Near Mint-Mint): A card in this condition may appear to be mint at first glance, but may have slight wear on the corners. Centering may be no worse than 70/30.
• PSA 7 NM (Near Mint): A card that has very few flaws. The corners may show some light wear, centering may be no worse than 75/25, and no major flaws should be apparent.
• PSA 6 EX-MT (Excellent-Mint): A card that has minor wear on the corners, 80/20 or better centering, and no major flaws.
• PSA 5 EX (Excellent): A card that is in excellent condition may have light rounding of the corners, very light creasing, minor wear on the surface, and centering of no worse than 85/15.
• PSA 4 VG-EX (Very Good to Excellent): According to PSA grading standards, a VG-EX 4 card’s corners may be slightly rounded. Surface wear is noticeable but modest. Centering must be 85/15 or better on the front and 90/10 or better on the back.
• PSA 3 VG (Very Good): According to PSA grading standards, a VG 3 card reveals some, though not extreme, rounding of the corners. Centering must be 90/10 or better on the front and back.
• PSA 2 GOOD: A grading term used to describe a card’s condition. A card in good condition may have rounded corners, multiple creases, and major flaws.

Centering is measured as the split of border on each axis. PSA's published limits: PSA 9 60/40; PSA 8 70/30; PSA 7 75/25; PSA 6 80/20; PSA 5 85/15; PSA 4 85/15 front, 90/10 back; PSA 3 90/10 front and back. PSA adds: "*Centering Note: At the grader's sole discretion, a small variance may be permitted on occasion based on the card’s overall eye appeal."

A “Qualifier” is a term used when an item meets all of the criteria for a particular grade but may still have one significant flaw. Per the FAQ, MK and MC are the two required/automatic qualifiers; OC, ST, PD and OF are the four optional ones.

• OC (Off Center): Type of qualifier. The card exhibits centering that falls below the minimum standard for the grade.
• ST (Staining): Type of qualifier. The card exhibits staining which falls below the minimum standard for the grade.
• PD (Print Defect): Type of qualifier. The card exhibits significant print flaws causing the card to fall below the minimum standard for the grade.
• MK (Marks): Type of qualifier. The card exhibits marks caused by pen, pencil, or some other type of ink and the presence of the mark or marks causes the card to fall below the minimum standard for the grade.
• MC (Miscut): Type of qualifier. A card that has little or no border, or even portions of another card.
• OF (Out of Focus): Type of qualifier. The card exhibits poor focus that causes the card to fall below the minimum standard for the grade.

PSA will not grade cards that bear evidence of trimming, re-coloring, restoration, or any other forms of tampering, or are of questionable authenticity. Note that this designation can qualify for encapsulation as "Authentic" only at the grader's discretion and if "Auth" is listed on the submission form as the desired minimum grade. Note that this designation can qualify for encapsulation as "Authentic Altered" at the grader's discretion and if "AA" is listed on the submission form as the desired minimum grade.

we have a minimum of two or more, professional graders review your item and they must agree upon a grade. PSA guarantees that all cards submitted to it shall be graded in accordance with PSA grading standards and under the procedures of PSA. If you still disagree with the results, you may resubmit it for Review; however, this is a paid-for service, and you will be responsible for the full grading fee and shipping charges.

We could not find PSA's own wording for 1 PR (Poor) and 1.5 FR (Fair), nor a general rule for half-point grades on cards (PSA states only that pins and coins do not get half points). This page lists only what PSA publishes.