Blog · Grading & Authentication
How to Read a PSA Label: Grades and Qualifiers (2026)
By Dexhaul Team · October 12, 2026 · 6 min read
Every PSA label tells you three things: the grade (a number from 1 to 10, or the word Authentic), a qualifier code if one applies, and a cert number you can verify. Read those three pieces from any listing photo and you will know exactly what condition you are paying for before money changes hands.
The 3-Step PSA Label Checklist
PSA grades Pokémon cards on a 10-point scale, with modifiers that tell you which specific attribute limited the grade. Here is how to work through a label in order.
| PSA Grade | Label Name | Quick Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Gem Mint | Virtually perfect: sharp corners, bright surfaces, near-perfect centering |
| 9 | Mint | Very minor surface wear only; well-centered |
| 8 | Near Mint-Mint (NM-MT) | Slight surface wear or minor print line; fraying on one or two corners |
| 7 | Near Mint (NM) | Light play wear on corners and surface; still presentable |
| 6 | Excellent-Mint (EX-MT) | Light creases or scratches; noticeably used |
| 5 | Excellent (EX) | Surface creases, minor scratches visible |
| 4 | Very Good-Excellent (VG-EX) | Light but definite creases; heavy fraying on corners |
| 3 | Very Good (VG) | Moderate creasing and edgewear throughout |
| 2 | Good (GD) | Heavy creasing; damage visible from across a table |
| 1 | Poor (P) | Extensive damage; barely identifiable |
| A | Authentic | Genuine card, but altered: cannot receive a numeric grade |
Step 1: Locate the grade number
The large number or letter printed in the center of the label is the grade. A PSA 10 sits at the top of the scale; PSA 1 is the bottom. If you see the letter "A" instead of a number, the card is labeled Authentic: the panel confirmed the card is real, but it found evidence of alteration (trimming, re-coloring, or cleaning) that disqualifies a numeric score.
Pass: a number from 1 to 10 (or "A" when you know the card is authentic and unaltered is acceptable to you). Fail: no number at all, which suggests the label is missing or counterfeit. Our guide on spotting a fake PSA slab covers that scenario in detail.
Step 2: Read the qualifier code
A qualifier is a two-letter code printed immediately after the grade number, for example "PSA 8 OC" or "PSA 7 MK." PSA applies a qualifier when a single specific attribute is responsible for the current grade and the card would otherwise score higher in every other area. That is the key insight: a qualifier tells you which part of the card is the weak point, and everything else typically meets a higher standard.
The six qualifier codes, per PSA's grading standards:
- OC (Off Center): centering falls outside the range acceptable for the assigned grade; corners and surface are usually better than the number implies.
- ST (Stained): visible discoloration or staining on the card surface.
- MK (Marked): evidence of writing, stamps, or marks on the card.
- PD (Print Defect): a manufacturing defect introduced during printing, such as a misregistered color layer.
- OF (Out of Focus): the card's image is blurry due to a printing or film defect.
- MC (Miscut): the card was cut outside normal parameters at the factory.
Pass: no qualifier, meaning all attributes met the grade's criteria equally. Also acceptable: a qualifier you can live with for the price. Fail: a qualifier code you cannot see clearly in the listing photo, or no explanation from the seller.
OC is the most common qualifier on high-grade Scarlet and Violet era cards.
Step 3: Verify the cert number
Every PSA slab has a certification number printed on the label. Type it into PSA's cert lookup tool and the database returns the card name, set, year, and grade on record. If the cert number does not pull up a match, or if the record does not match the card in the slab, stop the transaction.
Pass: cert number matches the card shown in the listing photo. Fail: no cert number visible, or the cert returns a different card, a different grade, or nothing at all. A mismatch is the clearest sign of a counterfeit or swapped slab.
On this page 6 sections
What You Need to Check a PSA Label
You do not need to hold the slab in hand. A clear close-up photo of the PSA label in a listing is enough for Steps 1 and 2. For Step 3, any device with internet access and the cert number from the photo will do.
DexHaul's grading guide covers how to decide whether submitting a card yourself is worth the cost, and what grade thresholds tend to matter for different sets.
For storing your graded cards once you own them, DexHaul's graded card storage guide covers slab boxes, acrylic cases, and display options.
Red Flags in a Listing Photo
Even with PSA's cert system in place, some listings use misleading photos or vague language. Watch for these:
- The label photo is blurry, cropped tight around the card art, or the cert number is not legible. Ask the seller for a clear label photo before you commit.
- The listing says "PSA equivalent" or "graded by us" rather than naming PSA, CGC, or Beckett as the grader. Those terms describe an ungraded card.
- The grade is listed only in the title or description, not clearly visible on the label in the photos.
- A qualifier code appears in the cert lookup but the listing does not mention it. A PSA 8 OC and a PSA 8 are both described as "PSA 8" by some sellers.
If You Already Bought One
Run the cert lookup as soon as you receive the card. Compare the slab label photo you saw in the listing to the physical label in hand: grade, qualifier, card name, and set should all match what the database shows.
If the cert does not match, contact the seller first with your photos and the cert result. Keep the slab sealed and document everything before initiating a return. PSA does not resolve buyer-seller disputes, but your documentation helps if you need to escalate through your payment provider.
Graded Pokémon Cards as Gifts This Season
A graded Pokémon card is one of the more memorable gifts for a serious collector: it arrives in a sealed, labeled slab that is ready to display. The label-reading skills above help you buy with confidence, not just for yourself but for the person you are buying for.
For a broader gift list across every budget and age group, see the 2026 Pokémon holiday gift guide. For graded cards specifically, use the three-step checklist above on any listing before you purchase.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does PSA Authentic mean for a Pokémon card?
PSA Authentic (labeled "A") means the card passed PSA's authenticity review but shows evidence of alteration, such as trimming, restoration, or cleaning. The card is genuine, but the alteration disqualifies it from a numeric grade. An Authentic slab is not the same as a high-grade copy.
Can a PSA 10 have a qualifier code?
No. PSA Gem Mint 10 has no qualifiers by definition: it is awarded only when all attributes, including centering, corners, edges, and surface, meet the highest standard. A qualifier on any label means the card fell short in that one area.
How many qualifier codes can a PSA label show?
PSA assigns one qualifier per card, identifying the single attribute most responsible for the grade. If a card has multiple issues, PSA assigns the grade that reflects the combined condition without stacking codes.
Where is the cert number on a PSA label?
The certification number is printed near the bottom of the PSA label, typically below the card description. It is a multi-digit numeric code. If a listing photo does not show the cert number clearly, ask the seller for a closer label shot before you buy.
Is PSA the only grading company I should check for Pokémon cards?
PSA is the most widely used grading service for Pokémon TCG cards. CGC and Beckett (BGS) also grade Pokémon cards and have their own label formats and grade scales. The three-step process above applies to PSA labels specifically; each company's label looks different and uses its own qualifier terminology.
Browse graded Pokémon cards from independent shops at DexHaul's graded cards collection. Every listing comes from a separate seller, so running the cert check above on any card you pick is always worth the 30 seconds it takes.
Catch 'em all
More graded Pokémon cards from independent shops, searchable by grade and set.