PSA Grading

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the largest trading card grading service in the world, having graded over 50 million cards since 1991. Grading costs $19–$300 per card with 2–65 business day turnaround, and fewer than 10% of submissions receive the coveted PSA 10 Gem Mint grade.

Everything you need to know about PSA grading - costs, standards, turnaround times, and how to pre-screen your cards with AI before submitting.

Pre-Screen My Cards Before PSA

What Is PSA Grading?

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) was founded in 1991 and has since become the gold standard for trading card authentication and grading. With over 50 million cards certified, PSA is the most recognized and trusted name in the hobby. When collectors, investors, or sellers refer to a "graded card," they most often mean a PSA-graded card.

PSA assigns a single whole-number grade from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint) based on four criteria: centering, corners, edges, and surface condition. Unlike CGC, PSA does not offer sub-grades - the final number represents the overall condition. Once graded, the card is sealed in a tamper-proof "slab" with a unique certification number verifiable on PSA's website.

A PSA grade serves as a universal benchmark for card condition. PSA 10 cards command the highest premiums in the market, and the slab itself provides long-term protection. Whether you're building a collection or preparing to sell, understanding PSA grading is essential.

Read the full PSA grading scale breakdown →

How Much Does PSA Grading Cost?

PSA pricing ranges from $19 to $300 per card. The cost per business day column shows the real value of each tier - faster isn't always smarter.

Service Tier Cost/Card Business Days Cost/Day
Value Best value $19 65 $0.29
Economy $25 45 $0.56
Regular $35 30 $1.17
Express $75 15 $5.00
Super Express $150 5 $30
Walk-through $300 2 $150

All-in cost example: 10 cards at Regular tier = $350 grading + $28 shipping + $99 membership = $477 total ($47.70/card effective). The $99/year membership includes a $50 voucher toward your first order.

See the complete PSA cost breakdown →

How Much Can Pre-Screening Save?

If you planned to submit 10 cards but pre-screening catches 3 that won't grade well, here's what you save by skipping them:

Value ($19)

$57

saved by skipping 3 cards

Regular ($35)

$105

saved by skipping 3 cards

Express ($75)

$225

saved by skipping 3 cards

Walk-through ($300)

$900

saved by skipping 3 cards

Pre-screening with AI costs a fraction of a single PSA submission. Even catching one bad card pays for itself.

Learn when grading is (and isn't) worth it →

PSA Grading Standards Quick Reference

PSA evaluates every card on four criteria: centering, corners, edges, and surface. The weakest attribute heavily influences the final grade. Here's how centering tolerances break down for the top grades:

Grade Front Centering Back Centering
PSA 10 (Gem Mint) 60/40 or better 75/25 or better
PSA 9 (Mint) 65/35 or better 90/10 or better
PSA 8 (NM-MT) 70/30 or better 90/10 or better

See the full PSA centering standards guide →

PSA vs CGC Comparison

PSA and CGC are the two most popular grading services. Here's how they compare across the metrics that matter most.

Feature PSA CGC
Base Grading Cost $19–$300 $15–$250
Annual Membership $99/year Free tier available
Sub-Grades No Yes (optional)
Market Premium Higher resale Growing but lower
Turnaround (Economy) 45–65 days 50–80 days
Gem Rate <10% get PSA 10 ~12% get CGC 10
Best For Resale value Personal collection

Read the full PSA vs CGC vs BGS comparison →

How PSA Grades Affect Value

A PSA grade can multiply a card's raw value significantly - or barely move the needle. Here's what to expect at each tier.

Grade Typical Multiplier Notes
PSA 10 (Gem Mint) 2–10x raw value Chase cards can exceed 10x
PSA 9 (Mint) 1.5–3x raw value Consistent premium
PSA 8 (NM-MT) 1.1–1.5x raw value Modest premium on most cards
PSA 7 or below 0.8–1.1x raw value Rarely covers grading cost

Multipliers are approximate ranges. Actual premiums depend on card, set, rarity, and market conditions.

Explore graded card value data →

Smart PSA Submission Workflow

1

Pre-Screen with AI

Upload photos to CardGrading.app for instant PSA-aligned grade predictions. Filter out cards unlikely to grade PSA 9 or higher.

2

Choose Your Tier

Value ($19, 65 days) for patience, Regular ($35, 30 days) for balance, or Express ($75, 15 days) when time matters. Match the tier to your card's value and urgency.

3

Submit Your Best

Only submit cards that passed pre-screening. This focused approach maximizes your return and avoids wasting $19+ on cards that won't grade well.

Read the full PSA submission guide →

Explore All PSA Topics

PSA Grading Costs Breakdown

Full pricing tiers, membership fees, and hidden costs.

PSA Centering Standards

Exact tolerances for PSA 10, 9, and 8 centering.

PSA Grading Scale Explained

What each grade from 1 to 10 means in detail.

PSA vs BGS vs CGC

Compare all major grading companies side by side.

Graded Card Values

How grades affect market prices across sets.

How to Submit to PSA

Step-by-step guide to your first PSA submission.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about PSA grading, costs, and standards.

What is PSA grading?
PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) grading is a third-party card authentication and grading service. PSA examines your card's centering, corners, edges, and surface, then assigns a grade from 1 (Poor) to 10 (Gem Mint). The card is sealed in a tamper-proof slab with a certification number that can be verified online. Founded in 1991, PSA has graded over 50 million cards and is the most widely recognized grading service in the hobby.

How much does PSA grading cost?
PSA grading costs between $19 and $300 per card depending on turnaround speed. The Value tier ($19/card) takes up to 65 business days, Economy ($25) takes 45 days, Regular ($35) takes 30 days, Express ($75) takes 15 days, Super Express ($150) takes 5 days, and Walk-through ($300) takes 2 days. PSA also requires a $99/year membership, though this includes a $50 voucher toward your first submission.

How long does PSA grading take?
PSA turnaround times range from 2 to 65 business days depending on the service tier you choose. The most affordable Value tier ($19/card) takes up to 65 business days, while Walk-through service ($300/card) guarantees a 2 business day turnaround. Most collectors use the Economy ($25, 45 days) or Regular ($35, 30 days) tiers for the best balance of cost and speed.

What are PSA centering standards?
PSA centering measures the border symmetry on the front and back of a card. For PSA 10 (Gem Mint), centering must be within 60/40 on the front and 75/25 on the back. PSA 9 (Mint) allows 65/35 front and 90/10 back. PSA 8 (NM-MT) allows 70/30 front and 90/10 back. Centering is just one of four criteria - corners, edges, and surface are also evaluated.

What percentage of cards get a PSA 10?
Fewer than 10% of cards submitted to PSA receive a PSA 10 (Gem Mint) grade. The exact rate varies by era and card type - modern cards with better print quality tend to have slightly higher PSA 10 rates than vintage cards. This scarcity is what makes PSA 10s command such significant premiums in the market.

How much does a PSA grade increase card value?
A PSA 10 typically increases a card's value by 2–10x compared to its raw (ungraded) price, with some chase cards exceeding that. A PSA 9 generally adds 1.5–3x the raw value. Below PSA 8, the grade premium diminishes significantly and may not justify the grading cost. The exact multiplier depends on the card, set, rarity, and market demand.

Is PSA grading worth it?
PSA grading is worth it for cards with a raw value of $50 or more in near-mint condition. The grading fee ($19–$35 for standard tiers) plus the expected grade multiplier makes it profitable for cards likely to receive a PSA 9 or 10. For cards under $20 raw value, grading rarely makes financial sense. Pre-screening with an AI grading tool can help you identify which cards are worth submitting.

Do I need a PSA membership to submit cards?
Yes, PSA requires a membership to submit cards. The basic Collectors Club membership costs $99 per year and includes a $50 voucher toward your first order, access to all service tiers, and the PSA Set Registry. If you plan to submit even a few cards per year, the membership typically pays for itself through the voucher and access to lower per-card pricing.

Can I pre-screen cards before sending to PSA?
Yes, pre-screening is one of the smartest things you can do before a PSA submission. AI grading tools like CardGrading.app analyze your card's centering, corners, edges, and surface from photos, predicting a PSA-aligned grade in seconds. This costs a fraction of professional grading and helps you avoid spending $19+ on cards that won't grade well. Most experienced collectors pre-screen every card before submitting.

What is the difference between PSA and CGC grading?
PSA uses a single whole-number grade (1–10) and commands higher resale premiums, especially for PSA 10s. CGC offers optional sub-grades for centering, corners, edges, and surface, giving more detailed feedback. PSA requires a $99/year membership while CGC has a free tier. PSA has graded 50M+ cards versus CGC's smaller but growing volume. For maximum resale value, PSA is generally preferred; for personal collection with detailed condition data, CGC is a strong alternative.

Pre-Screen Before You Pay PSA

Get AI-predicted PSA grades in seconds. Find out which cards are worth submitting - before spending $19+ per card.

Pre-Screen My Cards

1 free credit · No credit card required