PSA vs BGS vs CGC vs TAG - which card grading company is best?
How PSA, BGS, CGC and TAG grading scales work, what a 10 means at each, and why the same card sells for different prices in each slab.
Grading turns a raw card into a sealed, numbered slab with a condition score. That score can change a card's value many times over, which is why the slab name matters so much when you're opening graded card packs. Here's how the main companies compare.
The quick comparison
| Grader | Scale | Top grade(s) | Known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | 1-10 | Gem Mint 10 | The biggest grader; PSA 10s usually sell for the most on popular cards |
| BGS (Beckett) | 1-10 in half points, with 4 subgrades | Pristine 10, Black Label 10 | Detailed subgrades; Black Label is among the hardest grades to get |
| CGC | 1-10 in half points | Pristine 10, Gem Mint 10 | Often cheaper and quicker; popular for trading card games |
| TAG | 1-10, backed by a detailed computer-imaging report | Pristine 10, Gem Mint 10 | Newer grader; shows exactly where a card lost points |
Grading fees and turnaround times change often, so check each company's site before you submit.
What the numbers mean
All four use a 1-10 scale where 10 is close to perfect. They judge the same things: centering (how evenly the image sits), corners, edges and surface (scratches, print lines, dents).
- PSA gives one overall grade. A PSA 10 is the most recognised "perfect" grade in the hobby.
- BGS shows four subgrades on the label. A 9.5 is Gem Mint; a Black Label 10 needs perfect 10s in all four and is rare.
- CGC separates Pristine 10 (virtually flawless) from Gem Mint 10.
- TAG gives a detailed condition report alongside the grade, so you can see why a card scored what it did.
Why the same card sells for different prices
Two cards in the same condition can sell for very different amounts depending on the slab. For most modern cards, especially Pokémon, a PSA 10 usually sells for the most, because more buyers know and trust that label. BGS Black Labels and CGC Pristine 10s can beat it on specific cards. Check recent sales of your exact card in each slab before you decide.
Which should you choose?
- Selling a popular card? Look at PSA first, then compare recent sales.
- Keeping a card from a trading card game? CGC or TAG are often cheaper and quicker.
- Chasing perfection? BGS subgrades and Black Labels are the collector's flex.
How grading matters in packs
On graded card packs, every card is already slabbed, so the grade is part of the value range you see in the odds table. A PSA 10 and a PSA 9 of the same card can sit in completely different ranges. Read the pack's card list and odds, and use the pack odds calculator to see what the pack is worth on average. New to graded packs? Start with graded card packs explained.
Official grading scales
Each company publishes its own standards: PSA grading standards, Beckett (BGS) grading scale, CGC card grading scale and TAG grading.
Quick answers
Is a BGS 9.5 equal to a PSA 10?
Both are labelled Gem Mint, and collectors often compare them as roughly equivalent in condition. In the market, though, a PSA 10 usually sells for more on most modern cards, especially Pokémon, because of PSA's dominant share of the market. BGS reserves its top 10 grades for near-perfect cards with high subgrades, and a BGS Black Label 10 is rarer than either.
Is PSA or CGC better for grading?
PSA usually brings the highest resale prices for popular cards. CGC is often cheaper and faster and is popular with trading card game collectors. If you plan to sell, check recent sales of your card in each company's slab; if you're keeping it, choose the one you like.