[Guides](https://cardinal-app.ai/guides/) # TAG vs PSA: how the two grading companies compare PSA gives a card one grade from 1 to 10. TAG scores it on a 1000-point scale that maps to a 1–10 grade and returns a digital report of every defect it found. Across the most valuable Pokémon cards in the Cardinal catalog, a TAG 10 typically sells for 96% of a PSA 10 of the same card — though far fewer cards have TAG prices, so treat that as approximate. Updated 2026-10-18 · Standards from taggrading.com and psacard.com · Prices from the Cardinal catalog as of 2026-10-16 Side by side ## The differences that matter. | | TAG | PSA | |---|---|---| | Scale | 1000-point score mapped to 1–10; Pristine 10 (990–1000) above Gem Mint 10 (950–989) | 1–10; Gem Mint 10 is the top grade | | Half grades | On every level except between 9 and 10 — no 9.5 | 2.5 to 8.5 (and 1.5) — no 9.5 | | What you get back | A DIG report with every card: imaging plus the defects found, by corners, edges, centering and surface | The grade; written grader notes at higher service levels | | Verification | QR code, cert search, and a Proof Mark on the slab back | Cert lookup and the PSA app | | Eligibility | Currently excludes Yu-Gi-Oh!, pre-1989 cards and cards over 50pt | Broad | Prices ## What the slabs sell for. On cards with both prices, a TAG 10 typically sells for **96%** of a PSA 10 (173 cards) and a TAG 9 for **90%** of a PSA 9 (250 cards). TAG prices are thinner than PSA's, and the comparison mixes market sources, so small differences mean little. ### Which to choose PSA's population report and cert lookup are what most buyers check, which matters when you plan to sell. TAG's report shows exactly why a card got its grade, which some collectors prefer for cards they keep. Check TAG's eligibility and current capacity before you choose it — its value tiers were paused through much of 2026. Whichever you choose, the grade your copy can reach decides whether grading pays. Cardinal's [pre-grade](https://cardinal-app.ai/pre-grading/) reads the four attributes both companies score. For PSA vs CGC, BGS and SGC, see [PSA vs CGC](https://cardinal-app.ai/guides/psa-vs-cgc/). Sources - TAG: [scale](https://taggrading.com/pages/scale), [DIG report](https://taggrading.com/pages/dig), [verification](https://taggrading.com/pages/tagd), [submissions](https://taggrading.com/pages/submit) - PSA: [grading standards](https://www.psacard.com/gradingstandards), [FAQ](https://www.psacard.com/support/faq) ## TAG or PSA for your card? Scan it to see its predicted grade and which grading company pays best. Free on iPhone and Android. --- Get Cardinal, free: [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/app/cardinal-tcg-scan-grade/id6810442266) · [Google Play](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ai.cardinal.app)