If you are deciding where to grade a Pokemon card, it helps to understand one important point first: a 10 does not mean exactly the same thing on every grading company's scale.
PSA and CGC both use 10-point grading systems, but their current labels and standards are not identical. This guide compares what the companies themselves say about their scales so you can read a slab correctly and set realistic expectations before submitting.
PSA's 10-Point Scale
PSA authenticates a card before assigning a condition grade. Its current trading-card grading service describes grading as an assessment of a card's quality and condition on a scale from 1 through 10, with 10 being the highest numerical grade.
PSA tells collectors to examine the card's surface, edges, centering, folds, creases, stains and other damage when considering condition.
A PSA 10 is labeled Gem Mint. PSA's published grading standards allow only a very slight printing imperfection that does not hurt the card's overall appeal. PSA also publishes centering guidelines as part of its standards, so a clean surface alone does not guarantee a 10.
For a closer look at individual PSA grades, see our PSA grading scale guide.
CGC Has Two Different 10 Grades
CGC's current scale makes an important distinction at the top: Gem Mint 10 and Pristine 10 are separate grades.
According to CGC, a Gem Mint 10 has an overall grade of 10 but has one grading criterion that does not satisfy the requirements for Pristine 10. CGC describes its Pristine 10 as reserved for the best cards, with a card required to be flawless under 10x magnification. CGC also requires 50/50 centering for Pristine 10 and specifies flawless color and registration.
Cards earning Pristine 10 receive CGC's special Pristine label.
That means collectors should not treat the words CGC Gem Mint 10 and CGC Pristine 10 as interchangeable. They are two distinct outcomes on CGC's current scale.
PSA 10 and CGC 10 Are Not Direct Conversions
It is tempting to build a conversion chart such as “PSA 10 equals CGC Gem Mint 10,” but neither company's published standards establish a guaranteed cross-company conversion.
Each grader applies its own standards and terminology. A card already graded by one company is not guaranteed to receive the same numerical grade if evaluated by another.
For collectors, the safer approach is to read the exact label and evaluate it according to the standards of the company that issued it rather than assuming identical numbers mean identical standards.
What Both Graders Examine
Although their scales differ, condition factors overlap. PSA specifically directs collectors to examine centering, surfaces, edges, folds, creases, stains and damage. CGC's grading descriptions likewise address centering, corners, edges, surfaces, print quality and other condition characteristics.
Before sending a raw Pokemon card to either company, inspect it carefully under good lighting. Our Pokemon card pre-grading checklist walks through a practical inspection process for centering, corners, edges and surfaces.
Remember that pre-grading is only an estimate. The grading company makes the actual determination.
A Note About Older CGC Labels
Collectors shopping for existing slabs may encounter older CGC grades. CGC says its scale has changed since card grading launched and publishes a legacy-grade key.
One particularly important example: legacy CGC Trading Cards Gem Mint 9.5 is represented as CGC Cards Gem Mint 10 under the updated scale. CGC also lists its former Perfect 10 as a retired grade that retains Perfect 10 status.
That history is another reason to check the grading company's current documentation when evaluating an older holder instead of assuming every CGC label came from today's scale.
Which Scale Should You Use When Pre-Grading?
Use the published standards of the company you actually plan to submit to.
If you are preparing a PSA submission, compare the card against PSA's standards rather than trying to predict a CGC grade first. If you plan to use CGC, pay attention to CGC's distinction between Gem Mint and Pristine at the top of its scale.
If you are ready to submit to PSA, our PSA packing guide covers the physical preparation and shipping process. Also review our declared value guide before choosing a service tier.
Bottom Line
PSA and CGC both use 10-point systems, but the labels are not interchangeable. PSA's highest numerical grade is Gem Mint 10. CGC currently offers both Gem Mint 10 and the more stringent Pristine 10 designation.
Do not use an unofficial one-to-one conversion table as a promise of what a card will grade elsewhere. Read the slab's full label, use the issuing grader's current standards and treat any raw-card pre-grade as an estimate rather than a guarantee.