How does the condition checker choose a grade?
It asks about corners, edges, surface and creases, and each answer allows a grade from Mint down to Damaged. The worst answer wins: the grade is the lowest any answer allows, because a card is only as good as its worst flaw. A clean surface does not make up for a creased corner. Our condition guide sets out the same rule and shows what each grade looks like.
| Corners | Edges | Surface | Creases | Suggested grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sharp | Clean | Unmarked | None | Mint |
| A speck of white | Clean | Unmarked | None | Near Mint |
| A speck of white | Light whitening | Faint mark | None | Lightly Played |
| Sharp | Clean | Unmarked | One minor crease | Played |
| Light whitening | Clean | Unmarked | Heavy creasing | Damaged |
What do the five grades mean?
Our scale has five steps, best first: Mint, Near Mint, Lightly Played, Played and Damaged. They are the grades we use on every single we sell. On eBay UK, Played is usually listed as Moderately Played and Damaged as Heavily Played, and Mint and Near Mint both fall under Near Mint or Better. The guide’s comparison table also covers Cardmarket, whose scale is stricter.
Why does centring not change the grade?
Centring is the balance of the borders, and on our scale it is not part of the grade: you judge it from the photos. The checker asks about it anyway and adds a note, because buyers can see it and grading companies are strict about it. If you are weighing up grading, our pre-grading guide covers centring checks.
Is this how a grading company would grade my card?
No. The checker suggests a grade on our shop’s five-step scale. PSA, CGC, Beckett, ACE and other graders use their own scales, judge to stricter standards and count centring, so a card we call Near Mint can come back from a grader with a lower number than you hoped. To see what sending a card to a grader would cost, use the grading cost calculator.
Does the checker keep my answers?
No. Your answers stay in your browser while the page is open and are not stored or sent anywhere. Nothing here sets a cookie. Close the page and they are gone.
Questions people ask
How do I tell if my Pokémon card is Near Mint or Lightly Played?
Near Mint has at most a tiny flaw you have to hunt for, such as a pin-prick of edge wear. Lightly Played has wear you can see without looking closely, such as light whitening on edges or corners, or light scratches. If you are torn between the two, pick the lower grade.
Does centring affect a card’s condition grade?
Not on our scale. Mint is described as perfect to the naked eye with centring left out of the grade, so you judge centring from the photos. Graders do count centring, and the checker adds a note about it for that reason.
Is the suggested grade the same as a PSA or CGC grade?
No. It is a suggestion on our own five-step scale, not a prediction of any grading company’s result. Graders use their own numbered scales and stricter standards. For the cost of sending a card to a grader, use the grading cost calculator.
What happens if my answers point to different grades?
The worst answer wins. If your corners suggest Near Mint but a crease suggests Played, the card is Played. The condition guide gives the same rule: the single worst flaw sets the grade, so a clean front does not rescue a worn back.
Does a crease always make a card Damaged?
No. On our scale one minor crease or bend means Played at best, and heavy or several creases, tears or water damage mean Damaged. A small dent that does not break the surface is Lightly Played. The checker applies these steps to your answers.
Does the checker save or send my answers?
No. Your answers stay in your browser while the page is open and are not stored or sent anywhere. Nothing on the checker sets a cookie. Close the page and they are gone.
Last updated 17 October 2026.