CGC grading scale
CGC grades comics from 0.5 to 10.0. Here is every grade in one table, what the label colors mean and when grading makes sense.
CGC is a company that grades comics and seals them in a plastic holder with a label. It grades on a 10-point scale that runs from 0.5 (Poor) to 10.0 (Gem Mint). A higher number means a cleaner, sharper copy, and collectors use the number to compare copies of the same issue.
The table below lists every grade with its name. The right-hand column is our plain-English reading of each band, not CGC’s wording. For the official standards, see CGC’s own site. This page is a guide, not an appraisal.
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The full scale
| Grade | Name | In plain English |
|---|---|---|
| 10.0 | Gem Mint | Mint to near mint: bright and sharp, at most tiny flaws |
| 9.9 | Mint | Mint to near mint: bright and sharp, at most tiny flaws |
| 9.8 | Near Mint/Mint | Mint to near mint: the usual target for modern comics |
| 9.6 | Near Mint + | Mint to near mint: bright and sharp, at most tiny flaws |
| 9.4 | Near Mint | Mint to near mint: bright and sharp, at most tiny flaws |
| 9.2 | Near Mint - | Mint to near mint: bright and sharp, at most tiny flaws |
| 9.0 | Very Fine/Near Mint | Between near mint and very fine: very clean |
| 8.5 | Very Fine + | Very fine: a clean copy with light wear |
| 8.0 | Very Fine | Very fine: a clean copy with light wear |
| 7.5 | Very Fine - | Very fine: a clean copy with light wear |
| 7.0 | Fine/Very Fine | Between very fine and fine |
| 6.5 | Fine + | Fine: solid, with visible light to moderate wear |
| 6.0 | Fine | Fine: solid, with visible light to moderate wear |
| 5.5 | Fine - | Fine: solid, with visible light to moderate wear |
| 5.0 | Very Good/Fine | Between fine and very good |
| 4.5 | Very Good + | Very good: clear wear such as creases and small tears |
| 4.0 | Very Good | Very good: clear wear such as creases and small tears |
| 3.5 | Very Good - | Very good: clear wear such as creases and small tears |
| 3.0 | Good/Very Good | Between very good and good |
| 2.5 | Good + | Good: heavy wear, but a complete reading copy |
| 2.0 | Good | Good: heavy wear, but a complete reading copy |
| 1.8 | Good - | Good: heavy wear, but a complete reading copy |
| 1.5 | Fair/Good | Between good and fair |
| 1.0 | Fair | Fair and poor: severe wear or damage |
| 0.5 | Poor | Fair and poor: severe wear or damage |
What the label colors mean
| Label | What it tells you |
|---|---|
| Blue | Unrestored. The comic has not been altered from its original state. |
| Yellow | Signature Series. A CGC representative witnessed the signing. |
| Green | Qualified. A hidden defect or an unverified signature affects the grade, and the label says which. |
| Purple | Restored. CGC found an amateur or professional alteration. |
Two copies of the same issue can differ a lot in what buyers will pay depending on grade and label color. Compare sold listings for the same grade and label before you decide anything.
Should I get a comic graded?
Grading costs money and takes time, so it usually makes sense only for comics that are both valuable and in good condition. Our value checker walks you through the main questions: era, publisher, whether the issue is a key, condition and whether it is a reprint. If it points to “consider grading”, check sold listings for graded copies of the same issue first.
CGC is not the only company. Others, such as CBCS and PGX, also grade comics and publish their own standards. Collectors often prefer one company’s labels for a given market, so look at what buyers of your issue favor. If you only want to read or enjoy a comic, grading is not needed at all.
Related pages: key comic book issues, where to sell comic books and our storage guide.
Questions people ask
What is the CGC grading scale?
CGC grades comics on a 10-point scale that runs from 0.5 (Poor) up to 10.0 (Gem Mint). Between those are steps such as 9.8 Near Mint/Mint, 9.4 Near Mint, 8.0 Very Fine, 6.0 Fine, 4.0 Very Good and 2.0 Good. Higher grades mean cleaner, sharper copies, and the grade appears on the holder’s label.
What does a CGC 9.8 mean?
A 9.8 is Near Mint/Mint, one step below Mint (9.9) and Gem Mint (10.0). Collectors treat 9.8 as the usual top target for modern comics, because it is almost flawless and far more common than 9.9 or 10.0. The step from 9.6 to 9.8 can matter a lot to buyers.
What do the CGC label colors mean?
A blue label means unrestored. A yellow label is Signature Series, where a CGC representative witnessed the signing. A green label is Qualified, meaning a hidden defect or unverified signature affects the grade. A purple label means restored, where CGC found an amateur or professional alteration. Check the label notes for details.
Is it worth getting my comics graded?
Usually only for comics that are both valuable and in good condition. Grading takes time and costs money, so it makes less sense for common or worn copies. Use a value checker, compare sold listings for graded and ungraded copies of your issue, and decide whether the likely gain is worth it. We show no prices on this site.
Is CGC the only company that grades comics?
No. Other companies, such as CBCS and PGX, also grade comics and seal them in holders. Each publishes its own standards, and collectors sometimes prefer one company’s labels for a particular market. Check what buyers of your issue favor, and read each company’s own scale, since details can differ.
Does a higher grade always mean a more valuable comic?
Not always. The issue itself matters most, since a high grade on a common issue may still not be worth much. Within one issue, though, a higher grade usually means a higher price, and a restored or qualified label usually lowers it. Compare sold listings for the same issue, grade and label.