What Does 60/40 Centering Mean for Trading Card Grading?

60/40 centering means one border is 60% the width and the opposite is 40%. This is the outer limit for PSA 10 front centering and firmly within PSA 9 range. Measure your exact centering in Midpoint before submitting.

Understanding 60/40 Centering

60/40 centering describes the ratio between the left/right or top/bottom borders of a trading card. If a card’s border is 60% on one side and 40% on the other, it’s considered noticeably off-center but not severe. This ratio is used by grading companies to help determine a card’s overall grade.

Is 60/40 Centering Good?

60/40 centering is generally considered strong, though not perfect.
It is at the outer edge of PSA’s stated tolerance for a Gem Mint 10 (front centering must be approximately 60/40 or better).
Cards with 60/40 front centering are comfortably within PSA 9 standards.
Other graders (BGS, CGC, SGC, TAG) have their own standards - always check their latest published guidelines.

What Grades Allow 60/40 Centering?

PSA: 60/40 front centering is the limit for a PSA 10 and well within PSA 9 territory. The back usually allows more lenience.
For a card to achieve a PSA 10, all other subgrades (corners, edges, surface) must also be near-perfect.
Whether a 60/40 card earns a 10 depends on the grader’s judgment and the card’s other qualities.

How to Measure Your Card’s Centering

Exact centering is difficult to judge by eye. The Midpoint app for iOS and Android uses a single photo to detect inner and outer borders, then calculates precise front and back centering ratios (such as 60/40). This lets you check if your card meets grading standards before submitting.

Other Factors Affecting Grade

Centering is only one aspect of card grading.
Corners, edges, and surface must also be considered for high grades.
Even with perfect centering, flaws in other areas can lower the final grade.

Get your card's exact centering ratio in seconds with Midpoint - free to start - and know its grade ceiling.

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FAQ

What does 60/40 centering mean?

It means one border is 60% and the opposite is 40%, indicating some off-centering but still a strong ratio.

Can a card with 60/40 centering get a PSA 10?

60/40 is the outer edge of PSA's front centering tolerance for a 10. Other factors and grader judgment also affect the grade.

Is 60/40 centering acceptable for PSA 9?

Yes, 60/40 front centering is comfortably within PSA 9 standards. The back typically allows more off-centering.

How do I check if my card is 60/40 centered?

Use the Midpoint app to measure your card's exact front and back centering percentages from a photo.

Does centering guarantee a high grade?

No. Centering is only one subgrade. Corners, edges, and surface condition also impact the final grade.