CGC Card Grading 2026: Fees, Pristine 10 & the PSA Challenger
Certified Guaranty Company — the fast-growing grader for Pokemon and modern TCG. Fees from $18, fast turnaround, 1-10 half-point scale with the coveted Pristine 10. Predict your CGC grade with AI.
What Is CGC Grading?
CGC brought its comics-grading credibility to trading cards in 2020 and has grown fast, especially in Pokemon and modern TCG.
CGC's top grade is the Pristine 10 ("10 P") — a perfect 10 with near-50/50 centering across all four axes. Rarer than a standard CGC 10 Gem Mint and CGC's answer to the BGS Black Label.
CGC is consistently faster than PSA at comparable price tiers — a major reason modern Pokemon submitters choose CGC when they want their slabs back before the next set drops.
CGC 10 Gem Mint accepts 55/45 front centering; the Pristine 10 requires near-50/50. Similar to PSA at the standard 10, stricter at the Pristine tier.
1-to-10 half-point scale. Subgrades available on request for an extra fee. The half-point granularity matches BGS, SGC and ACE.
CGC Fees & Turnaround (2026)
| Tier | Cost per card | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|
Standard | $18-$25 | 30-45 business days |
Express | $40-$75 | 5-15 business days |
WalkThrough / Premium | $100-$150+ | 1-5 business days |
Compare directly: PSA vs CGC · CGC vs SGC · PSA vs BGS vs CGC
Predict Your CGC Grade Before You Submit
GradingMetric's AI predicts CGC grades — including Pristine 10 odds — alongside PSA, BGS, SGC and ACE from a single photo, calibrated on 24,000+ real grading outcomes. Free for two cards.
CGC Grading FAQ
What is CGC grading?
CGC (Certified Guaranty Company) expanded from comics into trading cards in 2020. Uses a 1-to-10 half-point scale topped by the Pristine 10. Fast-growing in Pokemon and modern TCG.
How much does CGC grading cost?
$18-$150+ per card. Standard ~$18 (30-45 days), Express $40-75 (5-15 days), WalkThrough $100-150+ (1-5 days).
What is a CGC Pristine 10?
CGC's highest grade — a perfect 10 with near-50/50 centering across all four axes. Rarer than CGC 10 Gem Mint and CGC's equivalent of the BGS Black Label.
Is CGC better than PSA for Pokemon?
CGC offers faster turnaround and lower fees and is trusted by many Pokemon collectors, but PSA 10 Pokemon still commands the highest resale. CGC is the value-and-speed choice; PSA is maximum-resale.