PSA Centering Standards: Front and Back Tolerances Explained

PSA Centering Requirements by Grade

Centering is a key factor in PSA's 1-10 grading scale, alongside corners, edges, and surface. Here are PSA's published centering standards for the most sought-after grades:

• PSA 10 (GEM-MT): Centering must be approximately 55/45 to 60/40 or better on the front, and 75/25 or better on the back.
• PSA 9 (MINT): Allows roughly 60/40 or better on the front, and 90/10 or better on the back.

For grades below PSA 9, PSA does not publish exact centering tolerances. Always refer to PSA's current published standards for other grades.

How to Measure Card Centering Accurately

Precise measurement is critical. PSA evaluates the ratio of border thickness side-to-side and top-to-bottom. To know your card's exact centering, use the Midpoint app (available on iOS and Android). It detects borders and calculates front and back centering percentages, helping you estimate how your card aligns with PSA's standards before submitting.

Front vs. Back Centering: What Matters Most?

PSA weighs front centering more heavily than back centering. A card with near-perfect front centering and slightly off back centering may still achieve a higher grade, within the published tolerances. However, both sides must meet the minimum requirements for each grade.

Other Grading Factors

Centering is only one aspect of PSA grading. Corners, edges, and surface quality are also evaluated and can affect the final grade. Even cards with perfect centering may not receive a PSA 10 if other flaws are present.