When NOT to Grade Pokémon Cards

28 February 2026

Most grading content tells you why you should grade your cards. This one's about when you definitely shouldn't. Knowing when to save your money is just as valuable as knowing when to spend it.

When the Card Isn't Worth Enough

This is the most straightforward reason. If a card is worth £5 raw and a graded 10 sells for £15, you'll lose money after grading fees and postage. The grading premium needs to cover all your costs and still leave a worthwhile margin. For most UK grading services, the break-even raw value is around £20 to £30.

When the Condition Is Obviously Poor

If you can see wear, creases, scratches, or heavy whitening without even trying, the card won't grade well. Paying £15 to find out your card is a 5 doesn't add value. Grading only makes financial sense when you have a realistic chance at a high grade.

Exception: extremely rare or valuable cards might still be worth grading at lower grades for authentication purposes. A PSA 5 Base Set Charizard 1st edition is still worth thousands, and the authentication matters.

When You Plan to Play With the Card

Graded cards are sealed in cases. You can't use them in the TCG. If you want the card for competitive play, don't grade it. Buy a played copy for the deck and keep any mint copies separate.

When the Population Is Massive

Some modern cards have been graded tens of thousands of times. Adding another PSA 10 to a pool of 20,000 existing 10s doesn't create much value. The premium for grading shrinks as population grows. Check the pop report before submitting.

When You're Emotionally Attached

This might sound counter-intuitive, but hear it out. If your childhood Charizard has a crease across the middle and you know it'll grade a 4, do you really want to see that number on a label every time you look at it? Sometimes keeping a card raw lets you enjoy it without a numerical judgement attached.

When You Need Money Now

Grading takes time. Even express services need a week or two. If you need to sell a card quickly, sell it raw. The grading delay costs you time and the fee reduces your immediate return.