How centering is measured
Centering compares opposite borders. Add the left and right borders together, then work out what share of that total the wider side takes. A card with a 3 mm left border and a 2 mm right border is 60/40 left to right. The same goes for top and bottom. Graders judge each axis, and the worse one is what counts.
For a full-bleed or borderless design, line the colored guides up with a printed frame, a nameplate or another element that should sit evenly from each edge.
Centering standards by grade
These are the most off-center a card can be and still reach each grade. Centering is a ceiling, not a guarantee: corners, edges and surface still need to hold up.
| PSA grade | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|
| Gem Mint 10 | 55/45 | 75/25 |
| Mint 9 | 60/40 to 65/35 | 90/10 |
| NM-MT 8 | 65/35 to 70/30 | 90/10 |
| NM 7 | 70/30 to 75/25 | 90/10 |
| EX-MT 6 | 80/20 | 90/10 |
| EX 5 | 85/15 | 90/10 |
PSA publishes a range for 9, 8 and 7. The calculator uses the tighter number and flags a card as "at the edge" when it falls inside the range.
| BGS centering subgrade | Front | Back |
|---|---|---|
| 10 Pristine | 50/50 both ways | 60/40 |
| 9.5 Gem Mint | 55/45 both ways | 60/40 |
| 9 Mint | 55/45 one way, 60/40 the other | 70/30 |
| 8.5 NM-MT+ | 60/40 both ways | 80/20 |
| 8 NM-MT | 65/35 both ways | 90/10 |
| 7 Near Mint | 70/30 both ways | 95/5 |
Getting an accurate photo
- Lay the card flat on a dark, plain surface so the edges stand out.
- Shoot straight down from above. Any tilt makes the far border look thinner than it is.
- Take it out of the top loader or penny sleeve if you can. Plastic edges can hide the true card edge.
- Use a scanner if you have one. It's the most reliable way to get a square, undistorted image.
Questions
What centering do I need for a PSA 10?
PSA's Gem Mint 10 standard allows about 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back. PSA tightened the front from 60/40 to 55/45 in early 2025, so older advice that a 60/40 front can still gem is out of date.
Is the back as important as the front?
For PSA, rarely. A back can be 75/25 and still allow a 10. BGS is stricter and wants 60/40 or better on the back for a 9.5 subgrade, so an off-center back is often what keeps a card out of a Black Label.
Does my photo get uploaded?
No. The photo is drawn and measured in your browser and never leaves your device.