Grading Turnaround Estimator
Compare turnaround times and costs across all PSA, BGS, CGC, and SGC service levels. Set your card value, number of cards, and deadline to find the best grading option.
Your Submission Details
For high-value cards. Priority handling and verification.
Fastest standard tier. Cards must be shipped to PSA Santa Ana office.
Fastest CGC option. Priority handling.
Priority Beckett service. Full sub-grades and fast return.
Fast SGC service. Popular for vintage cards and quick flips.
Premium speed for valuable cards. Great for flipping hot rookies.
Fast CGC turnaround. Sub-grades available for extra fee.
Faster BGS turnaround with full sub-grades.
Faster turnaround for cards worth grading quickly. Popular for new releases.
Solid turnaround times. SGC tuxedo slabs are gaining market share.
Standard BGS with sub-grades. Most popular Beckett tier.
Standard CGC with sub-grades option. Great value.
Most popular tier. Good balance of cost and speed for mid-range cards.
Most affordable grading company. Known for vintage expertise.
Best for bulk submissions of lower-value cards. Minimum 10 cards per order.
Cheapest BGS option. Minimum 10 cards. Sub-grades included.
Cheapest grading option on the market. Minimum 10 cards. CGC growing fast.
Quick Comparison: Fastest Tier Per Company
| Company | Fastest Tier | Turnaround | Cost | Cheapest Tier | Turnaround | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PSA | Premium | 2–3 business days | $600/card | Value | 65–90 business days | $25/card |
| BGS | Premium | 5–10 business days | $250/card | Economy | 80–120 business days | $22/card |
| CGC | Walk-Through | 3–5 business days | $150/card | Economy | 80–120 business days | $18/card |
| SGC | Express | 5–10 business days | $75/card | Economy | 50–90 business days | $15/card |
Submission Tips
Time Your Submissions
Turnaround times spike after big product releases (October-December). Submit in January-March when volume is lowest for fastest returns.
Bundle Economy Orders
Economy tiers require minimum 10-20 cards. Coordinate with friends or local card groups to split submissions and save on per-card costs.
Match Tier to Card Value
Never spend more than 10-15% of a card's value on grading. A $50 card does not justify a $200 express submission. Use economy tiers for sub-$100 cards.
Consider SGC for Vintage
SGC is gaining market share in vintage cards (pre-1970). Their tuxedo slabs are well-regarded and turnaround times are often faster than PSA for similar prices.
Track Actual vs Quoted
Quoted turnaround times are estimates. PSA "40-65 business days" may take 90 days during peak seasons. Check community forums for real-time reports.
Crossover Strategy
If you grade with BGS or SGC first (faster, cheaper), you can later crossover to PSA if the grade is strong. This gets your card protected quickly while planning the final holder.
Related Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does PSA grading take right now?
PSA turnaround times range from 3-5 business days (Walk-Through at $300/card) to 65-90 business days (Value at $25/card). The most popular Regular tier ($50/card) takes approximately 40-65 business days. Actual times can vary based on submission volume and time of year.
Which grading company is the fastest?
For standard submissions, SGC often has the fastest turnaround times at comparable price points. Their Standard tier (20-35 business days at $30/card) is competitive with more expensive tiers from other companies. For premium rush service, PSA Walk-Through (3-5 days) and CGC Walk-Through (3-5 days) are the fastest options.
Which grading company is the cheapest?
SGC Economy at $15/card is the cheapest grading option, followed by CGC Economy at $18/card and BGS Economy at $22/card. These economy tiers typically require minimum submissions of 10-20 cards and have the longest turnaround times (50-120 business days).
Should I pay for faster grading turnaround?
It depends on the card value and your timeline. A general rule is to never spend more than 10-15% of the card value on grading. For a $500 card, a $50 Regular submission makes sense. For a $50 card, use the $15-25 Economy tier. Only pay for express service if the card is time-sensitive (hot rookie, trending player) and the faster return will capture a price window.
Do grading turnaround times include shipping?
No. Quoted turnaround times start when the grading company receives and logs your submission, and end when the cards are shipped back. Add 3-7 business days for inbound shipping and 3-7 business days for return shipping, depending on your carrier and location. Total door-to-door time is typically 1-2 weeks longer than the quoted turnaround.