TCG Card Grading Scale Explained: What EGC's Grades Actually Mean
If you've ever looked at a slabbed Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering card and wondered why a "9" sells for a fraction of what a "10" sells for, you're not alone. Grading numbers look simple, but the difference between adjacent grades can mean a difference of hundreds or even thousands of dollars. This guide breaks down exactly what each grade means, how sub-grades work, and what EGC's graders are actually looking for.
Quick Answer
EGC uses a 1–10 grading scale (in half-point increments) to assess the condition of trading cards. The grade reflects four core sub-categories, centering, corners, edges, and surface, which are evaluated individually and then combined into a final numeric grade. A 10 (Gem Mint) is essentially flawless; a 9 (Mint) has only the faintest imperfections visible under magnification; grades below 7 typically show visible print, handling, or storage defects to the naked eye.
The Four Sub-Grade Categories
Every card submitted to EGC is evaluated across these categories before a final grade is assigned:
Centering: how evenly the image is positioned within the border on the front and back. Off-center printing is one of the most common reasons a card misses a perfect grade.
Corners: whiteness and sharpness of all four corners. Even microscopic fraying can drop a grade.
Edges: condition of all four edges, checking for whitening, nicks, or roughness from factory cutting.
Surface: scratches, print lines, indentations, or wax stains on the card face.
A card's final grade is generally driven by its weakest sub-grade, a card with perfect corners and edges but noticeably off-center printing will still be capped at a lower overall number.
What Each Grade Range Means
Grade | Label | What It Looks Like |
|---|---|---|
10 | Gem Mint | Essentially perfect under 10x magnification; ideal centering |
9 | Mint | Extremely minor imperfections, often invisible to the naked eye |
8 | Near Mint-Mint | Slight wear visible on close inspection |
7 | Near Mint | Minor corner or edge wear noticeable without magnification |
6 | Excellent-Mint | Visible handling wear, still crisp overall |
5 and below | Excellent to Poor | Increasing visible creasing, whitening, or surface damage |
Why Half-Point Grades Matter
Many collectors overlook half-point grades (8.5, 9.5), but they exist for a reason: they let graders differentiate cards that fall between two whole-number tiers without rounding up or down inaccurately. A 9.5 is meaningfully better than a 9 and meaningfully short of a true 10, and in the resale market, that half point can shift a card's value significantly, especially for high-demand cards like modern Pokémon chase pulls.
Common Misconceptions About Grading
"A grading company can make my card look better than it is." No reputable grading company changes the physical condition of a card. Grading only assesses and encapsulates the card as submitted, it doesn't repair or restore it.
"All grading companies use the same scale the same way." While most companies use a 1–10 scale, standards and strictness vary between companies and can even shift slightly over time within the same company. This is one reason population reports and grader reputation matter to serious collectors.
"Sub-grades don't matter if I have the overall number." Sub-grades are often more useful to buyers than the overall grade alone, since they show exactly where a card lost points, critical information for anyone comparing two cards with the same headline grade.
FAQ
What's the highest grade a card can get? 10, often labeled Gem Mint or Pristine depending on the grading company's terminology.
Does a half-point grade (like 9.5) mean the card was almost a 10? Generally yes, half-point grades sit between whole-number tiers and indicate the card was close to, but didn't fully meet, the criteria for the next grade up.
Can I see my card's sub-grades after grading? Most modern grading services, including EGC, provide sub-grade breakdowns alongside the final numeric grade so you can see exactly how centering, corners, edges, and surface were each scored.
Does grading protect the card physically? Yes, once graded, cards are sealed in a tamper-evident holder ("slab") that protects against further handling damage, moisture, and UV exposure.
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