TAG vs PSA: Which Grading Company Is More Accurate for Your Cards?

TAG vs PSA: Which Grading Company Is More Accurate?

If you’ve ever submitted a card to PSA and been surprised by the grade, you’re not alone.

With the rise of TAG, a new tech-first grading company that promises 100% transparency and AI-driven accuracy, collectors everywhere are asking:

Is TAG actually more accurate than PSA?

Should I trust a computer over a human grader?

In this guide, we’ll break down how both companies grade cards—especially centering—and help you decide which one is right for your collection.

We’ll also show you how to pre-check your card’s centering using CenterGrade, so you never waste money on a submission again.

Let’s get into it.

How PSA Grading Works

PSA (Professional Sports Authenticator) is the most recognized name in the card grading world. Founded in 1991, PSA has graded over 50 million cards and is considered the industry standard by many collectors and investors.

Here’s how their process works:

🧪 Human Graders

Each card submitted to PSA is reviewed by multiple human graders. They evaluate the card across four categories:

• Centering

• Corners

• Edges

• Surface

  
  

Each category is judged based on PSA’s internal guidelines, but centering remains one of the most subjective elements.

📐 Centering Standards (Gem Mint 10)

For a PSA 10, the card must meet:

• Front: 55/45 or better

• Back: 75/25 or better

  
  

Even a perfectly clean card with flawless corners can be downgraded due to slightly off-center printing—something many collectors only notice after they get the grade back.

PSA allows up to 55/45 front centering for a Gem Mint 10. Anything beyond that typically drops the grade.

How TAG Grading Works

TAG (Transparent Authentic Grading) is a new, tech-first grading company that’s shaking up the industry by replacing human judgment with objective AI analysis.

Founded with the goal of removing subjectivity and human error, TAG grades every card using advanced imaging, measurement, and proprietary grading algorithms.

TAG's Grading Philosophy:

TAG’s digital system calculates centering to the decimal—like 52.3% / 47.7%—using high-resolution scans instead of human judgment.

• 100% transparency

• 100% consistency

• 100-point grading scale (with decimal accuracy)

• No human bias, no grader fatigue, no subjectivity

  
  

How TAG Analyzes Centering

TAG uses high-resolution scanning and machine learning to detect centering within fractions of a millimeter. Every TAG slab includes a detailed grading report showing the exact centering %, edges, corners, and surface flaws.

For example, a TAG 10 requires:

• Front Centering: 55/45 or better

• Back Centering: 60/40 or better

• Precision verified by digital imaging—not eyeballs

💡 TAG vs Human Graders: Why Accuracy Varies

TAG’s biggest advantage is consistency.

Because TAG uses AI and precision imaging, your card will receive the exact same grade today or 6 months from now. There’s no grader fatigue, no bias, and no second-guessing.

Human grading, even at PSA, can vary slightly based on:

• Who’s reviewing your card

• When it’s reviewed

• Subtle subjective judgment

  
  

For collectors chasing 10s, that difference can mean hundreds of dollars in resale value.

⚖️ TAG vs PSA: Side-by-Side Comparison

Here’s how TAG and PSA compare across the most important grading factors for collectors:

Feature	PSA	TAG
Founded	1991	2022
Grading Method	Human graders	AI + digital scanning
Centering Tolerance	55/45 front, 75/25 back	55/45 front, 60/40 back
Transparency	No subgrades, subjective review	Full digital report with subgrades & % data
Reproducibility	May vary between graders	Consistent and reproducible grading
Turnaround Time	Varies widely (10–60+ days)	Often faster and consistent
Market Value	Highest resale value (established)	Growing rapidly (early adopters benefit)

TAG vs PSA grading comparison across core categories like centering, transparency, and turnaround time.

AI vs Human Grading: Which Is More Accurate?

Accuracy in grading doesn’t just mean getting the grade “right.” It means being repeatable, measurable, and consistent—no matter who is grading, or when.

The Human Grading Model (PSA):

• Subjective: Centering is judged by eye

• Inconsistent: Two graders might see the same card differently

• Fatigue factor: Humans reviewing hundreds of cards per day can miss subtle details

• Lack of transparency: Most grading companies don't show how or why a card got a certain score

  
  

The AI Model (TAG):

• Objective: Centering and other metrics are digitally scanned and calculated

• Repeatable: The same card scanned twice gets the same grade every time

• Transparent: You receive a full report showing centering % and deductions

• Scalable: AI can process more cards faster, without mental fatigue

  
  

Accuracy Isn’t Just About Right or Wrong—It’s About Trust

As the card market becomes more competitive and valuable, collectors need to trust the process.

TAG's AI system—and tools like CenterGrade—are leading a new wave of objective grading that helps collectors make smarter decisions.

PSA relies on human graders, while TAG uses AI and digital imaging for consistent, repeatable results.

Want to know where your card stands before it gets graded?CenterGrade lets you check centering down to the decimal before you ever pay for submission.

Which Grading Company Is Right for You?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer—both PSA and TAG have clear advantages depending on what kind of collector or seller you are.

Here’s how to choose based on your goals:

Choose PSA if:

• You want the highest resale value (especially for vintage and Pokémon)

• You value market trust and recognition

• You’re okay with some subjectivity and potential grading variance

  
  

Choose TAG if:

• You value transparency and data

• You want consistent grading based on clear, objective standards

• You plan to track centering, edges, and surface in detail

• You want to be an early adopter of tech-driven grading

  
  

But No Matter Who You Use—Accuracy Starts Before You Submit

Whether you send your card to PSA or TAG, if your card is off-center, it won’t grade a 10.

That’s why serious collectors are using CenterGrade first.

CenterGrade is the fastest way to check centering before you spend $50+ on grading fees.

You can scan your card, get exact centering percentages, and decide whether to grade, hold, or sell raw—with confidence.

Check Your Centering - 3 Free Scans!

Check Your Card’s Centering in just Seconds! →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does TAG grading hold its value like PSA?

A: TAG is still a newer company, so resale prices vary. PSA is currently the resale king, especially for vintage and Pokémon cards. However, TAG is gaining traction fast—especially among collectors who value transparency and precision.

Q: Is PSA grading accurate?

A: PSA grading is trusted by the market but relies on human graders, which can sometimes introduce slight inconsistencies. That’s why some collectors use tools like CenterGrade to pre-check their card’s centering before submission.

Q: What is the centering requirement for a PSA 10?

A: PSA requires 55/45 centering or better on the front, and 75/25 or better on the back for a Gem Mint 10. CenterGrade is designed to help you check those margins before you pay grading fees.

Q: Does TAG use AI for all grading decisions?

A: Yes. TAG grading is fully AI-driven using digital scanning and proprietary algorithms. Every card gets a full grading report with exact centering, edge, and surface data.

Q: Should I use CenterGrade before grading with PSA or TAG?

A: Absolutely. CenterGrade helps you identify cards that are perfectly centered—and just as importantly, cards that aren’t—before you pay $30–$100+ in grading fees. It’s your pre-check before the big decision.

🚀 Ready to Grade Smarter?

Whether you’re sending cards to PSA or TAG, one thing is certain:

If your card isn’t centered, it won’t get a 10.

That’s where CenterGrade comes in.

With just a photo of your card, CenterGrade gives you:

✅ AI-powered centering analysis

✅ Fast results based on PSA & TAG standards

✅ Confidence to grade (or not) before you spend $50+ on submission fees

Thousands of collectors are already using CenterGrade to pre-check cards, reduce grading waste, and protect their ROI.