85/15 Centering: Meaning, Grading Impact, and What to Expect

85/15 centering means one card border is much larger than the other, with one side nearly gone. This is considered severely off-center and limits grading potential.

What Does 85/15 Centering Mean?

85/15 centering describes a card where the distance from the edge to the image is 85% on one side and only 15% on the other. This creates a noticeably uneven appearance, with one border very thin or nearly missing. Such a ratio is easy to spot with the naked eye.

Is 85/15 Centering Good?

85/15 centering is not considered good by any major grading standard. For collectors and graders, this degree of off-centering is well outside the tolerance for high grades. Cards with 85/15 centering are generally viewed as miscut or production errors, significantly lowering both their grade and market value.

How Does 85/15 Centering Affect Grading?

All major grading companies (PSA, BGS, CGC, SGC, TAG) have strict front and back centering requirements for top grades.
85/15 centering is far outside the published front tolerances for high grades at any company and is also outside the back tolerance for top grades.
Cards with 85/15 centering typically receive low overall grades, regardless of corners, edges, or surface quality.
Centering is only one subgrade. Even if other aspects are perfect, this ratio caps the grade low.

Always check the latest published standards from your chosen grader before submitting.

Should You Submit a Card With 85/15 Centering?

Submitting a card with 85/15 centering for grading is rarely recommended if you are seeking high grades. The severe off-centering will cap the grade low at every grading company. If you are unsure about your card’s centering, you can measure its exact ratio quickly in the Midpoint app for iOS and Android.

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

Try Midpoint

FAQ

What does 85/15 centering look like?

It means one border is much wider than the other, with one edge almost touching the image. The card appears very off-center.

Can a card with 85/15 centering get a high grade?

No, 85/15 centering is outside the tolerance for high grades at all major grading companies. The grade will be capped low.

Is it worth grading a card with 85/15 centering?

Usually not, unless the card is extremely rare or has other unique value. The centering will severely limit the grade.

How can I measure my card’s centering?

Use the Midpoint app to measure your card’s exact front and back centering from a photo. This helps you know what to expect before submitting.

Does centering affect the grade as much as corners or edges?

Yes, centering is a key subgrade. Even if corners, edges, and surface are perfect, poor centering like 85/15 will still cap the grade.