Guide · Grading
How much card grading costs
From $17 to $300 a card at CGC. What you pay depends on what the card is worth and how fast you want it back.
A grading company checks that a card is real, scores its condition from 1 to 10 and seals it in a numbered plastic case, the slab. Every company charges by tier: each tier has a top value per card and an estimated turnaround. Pick the cheapest tier your card’s value fits in, unless you need it back sooner. Grading companies often take submissions at large shows, so check the show’s page.
CGC grading prices
Per card, for direct submissions by CGC collector members. From CGC’s own fee page, checked 2026-11-03.
| Tier | Price | Card worth up to | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bulkup to $50025-card minimum; cards may be a mix of games and sports. | $17 | $500 | 150 days |
| Economyup to $1,000 | $20 | $1,000 | 90 days |
| Standardup to $3,000 | $55 | $3,000 | 10 days |
| Expressup to $10,000 | $100 | $10,000 | 5 days |
| WalkThroughup to $100,000 | $300 | $100,000 | 2 days |
| Unlimited Valueup to any value | $300 + 1% of fair market value | No limit | 2 days |
- Turnaround is an estimate in working days and is not guaranteed.
- If CGC values a card above what you declared, it moves the card to the higher tier and you pay the difference.
- Associate and Premium members save 10% on grading; Elite members save 20%.
- Add-ons: a pedigree costs the tier fee + $5, a custom label + $8. Reholdering a CGC slab is $10 (about 20 working days).
- Jumbo cards are $20 a card at about 120 working days.
Which tier for your card
A card worth $200
Bulk
$17 a card, about 150 working days
A card worth $2,500
Standard
$55 a card, about 10 working days
A card worth $20,000
WalkThrough
$300 a card, about 2 working days
Value means what the card would sell for once graded, not what you paid. Check recent sales of the same card first; our card terms guide explains comps, pop reports and cert numbers.
PSA and Beckett
PSA and Beckett (BGS) price by tier the same way: a top value per card and an estimated turnaround. Their own price pages have the current fees:
Quick answers
- How much does it cost to grade a card?
- At CGC, from $17 a card (Bulk, cards worth up to $500, 25-card minimum) to $300 a card for WalkThrough, with cards worth more than $100,000 at $300 + 1% of fair market value.
- What is the cheapest way to grade cards?
- CGC’s Bulk tier at $17 a card, if you send at least 25 cards each worth $500 or less. Fewer cards: Economy at $20 a card, up to $1,000 each.
- How long does card grading take?
- CGC estimates 150 working days for Bulk, 90 working days for Economy, 10 working days for Standard, 5 working days for Express, 2 working days for WalkThrough, 2 working days for Unlimited Value. These are estimates, not guarantees.
- What happens if I declare a card’s value too low?
- CGC moves the card to the tier that matches its fair market value and charges you the difference.
- Should I grade my cards?
- Grade a card when a graded copy sells for more than the raw card plus the grading fee and shipping. Check recent sales (comps) of the card in the grade you expect before you send it.
More card show guides
From CGC’s services and fees page, checked 2026-11-03. Prices change; check the grader’s own page before you send cards. Card Show Scout is independent and not affiliated with any grading company.