How the math works
Grading is a bet. You pay up front, wait weeks or months, and the grade decides what the card is worth. This calculator turns that bet into one number: how much more you should expect to pocket by grading and selling, compared with selling the card raw today.
Expected graded price is the average of the graded sale prices, weighted by your chance of each grade. A card with a 40% shot at a $450 ten and a 45% shot at a $120 nine is "worth" about $243 graded on average, even though it will never sell for that exact number.
Expected gain takes that price, removes the platform's cut, the grading fee, and shipping and insurance, then subtracts what you'd net selling raw. If it's comfortably positive and the return on your grading spend is at least 50%, the verdict is Grade it. A small positive gain is Your call. A loss is Sell raw.
If it misses shows what happens when the card comes back a 7 or lower. Two cards can have the same expected gain while one of them has a much uglier downside.
Questions collectors ask
Is it worth grading cards under $20?
Usually not. Entry level grading fees plus shipping often cost more than the raw card is worth, so the card needs a real shot at a high grade with a big price jump for the math to work. Run the numbers above; a low raw value with small graded premiums almost always says sell raw.
How do I estimate my chance of a 10?
Check centering, corners, edges, and surface under bright light, ideally with magnification. Off center cards and any whitening or surface lines drop the odds fast. When in doubt, lower your 10 chance; most people overrate their own cards.
Which grading company should I use?
It depends on the card and the buyers. Some companies command higher prices for certain categories, while others are cheaper and faster. Put the graded prices for each company into the calculator one at a time and compare the verdicts.
What is a tier upcharge?
Each grading tier has a maximum declared value. If your card's graded value comes in above that cap, the grader moves it to a higher tier and charges the difference. The calculator warns you when the graded 10 price is above your tier's cap.
Are these fees current?
Fees were checked in fall 2026 and change often. Always confirm on the grading company's own site before you submit. You can type your own fee with the Custom option.