Card Grading Cost Calculator
Compare the total cost of grading with different sale-price scenarios. Enter your own quotes and assumptions to see how the numbers change.
Results
Enter your quote and press Calculate. Every scenario you enter is shown; none is assumed.
Costs the calculator includes
- Grading fee per card × number of cards.
- Outbound and return shipping.
- Insurance.
- Membership or submission-form costs you choose to allocate to this batch.
- Other quoted charges (for example, additional services).
- Optionally, the acquisition cost per card and the selling costs you would incur when selling.
How batch costs are allocated
The total batch cost is divided equally by the number of cards to give a grading cost per card. If you submit cards at different service levels, run the calculator once per service level, or enter a blended figure you have worked out yourself. Membership costs are only included to the extent you enter them; if a membership serves many submissions, allocate only the share you consider fair to this batch.
How the scenarios work
For each outcome you enter, net proceeds = sale value − selling costs − grading cost per card. Selling costs are the percentage and fixed amounts you supply. The "vs. selling raw" column subtracts the net proceeds of selling raw (sale value − selling costs, with no grading cost) so you can see whether that outcome beats not grading at all. If you enter an acquisition cost, the final column shows what remains after it.
Illustrative scenario
Illustrative, not a real submission Four cards at a $25 fee each, $30 shipping, $10 insurance: total batch cost $140, or $35 per card. If a card would sell raw for $60 with 13% selling fees and $5 fixed costs, selling raw nets about $47.20. A graded outcome selling for $90 nets $90 − $11.70 − $5 − $35 = $38.30, which is worse than raw; an outcome selling for $250 nets $177.50, which is better. Both outcomes are shown; the calculator does not tell you which you will get. Press "Load illustrative example" to see it.
What the calculator cannot predict
- The grade a card will receive. No probabilities are assumed and the highest grade is never presumed.
- Sale values. Enter them from your own research into recent completed sales for that card at that grade.
- Turnaround time, and what the market does while the card is away.
- Current grading prices. We do not preload them because they change; enter the quote you were given.
For the decision framework, read CardVolume's guide Is Grading a Pokémon Card Worth the Cost? and PSA 9 vs. PSA 10 Pokémon Cards. Formulas are in our methodology.