How graders measure centering
Centering compares the borders on opposite sides of the card. Measure the left and right borders, then the top and bottom. The ratio is the wider border's share of the two together, so a card with borders of 3 mm and 2 mm is 60/40.
Each axis is judged on its own, and the worse one counts. A card that is 50/50 left to right but 62/38 top to bottom is a 62/38 card.
Centering limits by grade
These are the worst ratios each grader allows for a grade. Corners, edges and surface can still pull a well-centered card lower.
| Grade | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|
| PSA | ||
| PSA 10 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| PSA 9 | 60/40 | 90/10 |
| PSA 8 | 65/35 | 90/10 |
| PSA 7 | 70/30 | 90/10 |
| CGC | ||
| CGC Pristine 10 | 51/49 | 75/25 |
| CGC Gem Mint 10 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| CGC 9 | 60/40 | 90/10 |
| Beckett (BGS) | ||
| BGS Pristine 10 | 51/49 | 60/40 |
| BGS 9.5 | 55/45, 51/49 other axis | 60/40 |
| BGS 9 | 55/45 | 70/30 |
Taking a photo to measure
- Take the card out of its sleeve. Sleeve edges look like card edges.
- Lay it flat on a dark, plain surface, so the edges stand out.
- Hold the phone straight above the card. Tilting it makes one border look wider than it is.
- Fill most of the frame with the card, and avoid glare on the border.
Full-art and borderless cards
Graders still judge full-art cards on the thin print border, or on where the artwork sits if there is none. Put the blue lines on the inside edge of the yellow or silver border. On a card with no visible border, centering usually decides less of the grade.
Centering is one of four things a grader checks. For the corners, edges, surface and whether grading pays for itself, check the card or work out the numbers in the grading calculator.