Cardex
Quick answer: about 33.6% of the English Pokémon cards PSA has graded are PSA 10s: 5,849,185 Gem Mint copies out of 17,427,060. Modern cards gem far more often. Scarlet & Violet cards come back as 10s 34.3% of the time and Mega Evolution cards 60.4%, while cards from the Wizards of the Coast era, 1999 to 2003, manage just 10.1%.
Wondering if your card could be a 10? AI Grading in Cardex Premium estimates the grade from photos of the front and back, with separate scores for centering, corners, edges and surface. See how AI Grading works.
Get the free appWhat is a gem rate?
A gem rate is the share of graded copies of a card that came back as a Gem Mint 10. If PSA has graded 1,000 copies of a card and 300 of them are 10s, its gem rate is 30%. PSA publishes the counts in its population report, which lists how many copies of each card it has graded at every grade.
Collectors use it in two ways. Before grading, it shows how hard a 10 is to get. When buying, it shows how scarce the 10s are, and scarce 10s tend to sell for more.
Gem rate by era
Every series with at least 5,000 PSA-graded copies, highest gem rate first.
| Series | Years | Graded copies | PSA 10s | Gem rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Evolution | 2025 to 2026 | 1,669,183 | 1,008,137 | 60.4% |
| Sword & Shield | 2019 to 2023 | 4,255,454 | 2,123,497 | 49.9% |
| Sun & Moon | 2017 to 2019 | 1,503,302 | 655,905 | 43.6% |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2023 to 2025 | 4,144,603 | 1,422,529 | 34.3% |
| Other | 2001 to 2025 | 322,530 | 63,466 | 19.7% |
| XY | 2013 to 2016 | 921,130 | 141,091 | 15.3% |
| E-Card | 2002 to 2003 | 265,372 | 39,706 | 15.0% |
| Gym | 2000 | 331,893 | 37,146 | 11.2% |
| Neo | 2000 to 2002 | 426,013 | 41,294 | 9.7% |
| Base | 1999 to 2000 | 2,481,140 | 236,527 | 9.5% |
| EX | 2003 to 2007 | 642,856 | 57,188 | 8.9% |
| POP | 2004 to 2009 | 29,018 | 1,918 | 6.6% |
| Black & White | 2011 to 2013 | 132,476 | 7,081 | 5.3% |
| Platinum | 2009 | 77,792 | 3,948 | 5.1% |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2010 to 2011 | 118,425 | 5,358 | 4.5% |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2007 to 2008 | 105,873 | 4,394 | 4.2% |
The biggest pattern is the gap between older and newer cards, though it isn't a straight line from one series to the next. Part of the reason is handling: recent cards mostly go to PSA soon after they come out of the pack, often straight into a sleeve, while cards from the late 1990s have usually been played with, traded and stored loose for decades.
PSA 10 rate by set
Every set with at least 2,000 PSA-graded copies, highest gem rate first, with the card PSA has graded most from each. Printings that PSA lists separately, such as 1st Edition, Shadowless or reverse holo, each count on their own.
| Set | Released | Graded copies | Gem rate | Most-graded card (its gem rate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darkness Ablaze | 2020 | 87,882 | 70.7% | Charizard VMAX 020/189 71.9% |
| Shining Fates Shiny Vault | 2021 | 87,451 | 69.7% | Charizard VMAX SV107/SV122 74.5% |
| Champion's Path | 2020 | 107,843 | 65.4% | Charizard VMAX 074/073 69.4% |
| Sword & Shield | 2020 | 59,736 | 65.0% | Snorlax VMAX 142/202 68.4% |
| Rebel Clash | 2020 | 28,874 | 63.9% | Sonia 192/192 58.4% |
| Mega Evolution Black Star Promos | 2025 | 495,215 | 63.8% | Mega Charizard X ex 023 48.3% |
| Perfect Order | 2026 | 95,325 | 63.6% | Clefairy 094/088 69.0% |
| Ascended Heroes | 2026 | 356,912 | 63.3% | Mega Gengar ex 269/217 70.4% |
| Silver Tempest Trainer Gallery | 2022 | 95,346 | 63.0% | Rayquaza VMAX TG20/TG30 73.8% |
| Chilling Reign | 2021 | 110,956 | 61.2% | Galarian Moltres V 177/198 57.4% |
| Chaos Rising | 2026 | 42,353 | 60.8% | Mega Greninja ex 116/086 67.4% |
| Celebrations: Classic Collection | 2021 | 330,738 | 60.7% | Charizard 4 58.8% |
| Evolving Skies | 2021 | 345,142 | 59.6% | Umbreon VMAX 215/203 69.0% |
| Hidden Fates Shiny Vault | 2019 | 325,848 | 59.6% | Charizard-GX SV49/SV94 48.8% |
| Mega Evolution | 2025 | 339,337 | 59.5% | Marshadow 146/132 63.0% |
| Hidden Fates | 2019 | 130,078 | 58.0% | Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GX 69/68 63.1% |
| Shining Fates | 2021 | 40,839 | 56.4% | Skyla 072/072 51.7% |
| Vivid Voltage | 2020 | 221,114 | 56.4% | Rayquaza 138/185 60.0% |
| Battle Styles | 2021 | 49,573 | 55.6% | Tyranitar V 155/163 49.4% |
| Silver Tempest | 2022 | 123,649 | 54.3% | Lugia V 186/195 54.6% |
| Pitch Black | 2026 | 5,001 | 54.0% | Mega Darkrai ex 116/084 56.5% |
| Astral Radiance | 2022 | 77,825 | 53.6% | Origin Forme Palkia V 167/189 52.1% |
| Crown Zenith | 2023 | 142,174 | 53.1% | Pikachu 160/159 52.7% |
| Fusion Strike | 2021 | 164,566 | 52.7% | Gengar VMAX 271/264 52.6% |
| Phantasmal Flames | 2025 | 335,040 | 52.3% | Mega Charizard X ex 125/094 59.8% |
| Crown Zenith Galarian Gallery | 2023 | 583,730 | 52.3% | Mewtwo VSTAR GG44/GG70 56.3% |
| Brilliant Stars | 2022 | 129,564 | 52.0% | Charizard V 154/172 49.7% |
| Pokémon TCG Classic - Venusaur | 2023 | 15,822 | 50.0% | Venusaur 003/034 48.8% |
| Brilliant Stars Trainer Gallery | 2022 | 134,113 | 50.0% | Umbreon VMAX TG23/TG30 70.3% |
| Astral Radiance Trainer Gallery | 2022 | 57,319 | 49.2% | Starmie V TG13/TG30 50.3% |
| Pokémon TCG Classic - Charizard | 2023 | 21,829 | 48.7% | Charizard 003/034 35.9% |
| Pokémon TCG Classic - Blastoise | 2023 | 20,907 | 46.5% | Blastoise 003/034 37.0% |
| Pokémon GO | 2022 | 105,104 | 46.4% | Radiant Charizard 011/078 56.6% |
| Unbroken Bonds | 2019 | 81,457 | 45.1% | Dedenne-GX 195a/214 48.7% |
| Lost Origin | 2022 | 78,625 | 45.0% | Giratina V 186/196 40.6% |
| Forbidden Light | 2018 | 15,470 | 44.3% | Greninja-GX 133/131 46.6% |
| Black Bolt | 2025 | 122,048 | 43.7% | Zekrom ex 166/086 61.8% |
| Twilight Masquerade | 2024 | 173,313 | 43.5% | Eevee 188/167 39.7% |
| Dragon Majesty | 2018 | 16,776 | 43.0% | Charizard 3/70 35.0% |
| Celestial Storm | 2018 | 18,302 | 42.6% | Lisia 164/168 41.8% |
| Destined Rivals | 2025 | 339,561 | 42.4% | Team Rocket's Mewtwo ex 231/182 58.2% |
| White Flare | 2025 | 101,083 | 41.0% | Reshiram ex 173/086 58.9% |
| Team Up | 2019 | 80,602 | 40.9% | Gengar & Mimikyu-GX 53/181 30.1% |
| Temporal Forces | 2024 | 138,073 | 40.7% | Gastly 177/162 33.8% |
| Guardians Rising | 2017 | 24,398 | 40.7% | Metagross-GX 157a/145 53.9% |
| Lost Origin Trainer Gallery | 2022 | 150,226 | 40.5% | Gengar TG06/TG30 22.1% |
| Unified Minds | 2019 | 74,570 | 40.2% | Umbreon & Darkrai-GX 125/236 43.3% |
| Paldean Fates | 2024 | 216,284 | 39.1% | Mew ex 232/091 32.6% |
| Stellar Crown | 2024 | 146,595 | 38.6% | Squirtle 148/142 36.9% |
| Ultra Prism | 2018 | 30,788 | 38.5% | Lillie 151/156 33.4% |
| SM Black Star Promos | 2017 | 283,289 | 38.1% | Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GX SM210 56.0% |
| Shrouded Fable | 2024 | 66,192 | 38.0% | Persian 078/064 34.5% |
| Cosmic Eclipse | 2019 | 176,994 | 37.8% | Pikachu 241/236 22.9% |
| Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos | 2023 | 564,943 | 37.0% | Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat 085 42.1% |
| McDonald's Collection 2021 | 2021 | 39,691 | 36.9% | Pikachu 25/25 36.5% |
| Paradox Rift | 2023 | 143,117 | 35.2% | Groudon 199/182 32.8% |
| Surging Sparks | 2024 | 301,548 | 34.8% | Pikachu ex 238/191 35.4% |
| Crimson Invasion | 2017 | 18,898 | 32.1% | Gyarados-GX 112/111 32.6% |
| Journey Together | 2025 | 188,357 | 31.3% | Articuno 161/159 27.1% |
| Prismatic Evolutions | 2025 | 289,747 | 30.9% | Umbreon ex 161/131 29.7% |
| Pokémon Futsal Collection | 2020 | 20,037 | 30.9% | Pikachu on the Ball 001/005 37.9% |
| Lost Thunder | 2018 | 27,942 | 30.8% | Lugia-GX 227/214 31.7% |
| SWSH Black Star Promos | 2019 | 765,401 | 29.8% | Charizard V SWSH050 56.3% |
| Shining Legends | 2017 | 90,963 | 29.8% | Mewtwo-GX 78/73 15.6% |
| Steam Siege | 2016 | 29,593 | 29.5% | M Gardevoir-EX 112/114 32.9% |
| Paldea Evolved | 2023 | 177,043 | 29.4% | Magikarp 203/193 15.3% |
| Celebrations | 2021 | 177,664 | 29.0% | Pikachu 5 1.9% |
| Sun & Moon | 2017 | 48,068 | 28.3% | Lillie 147/149 26.5% |
| Scarlet & Violet 151 | 2023 | 807,619 | 28.2% | Charizard ex 199/165 27.3% |
| Detective Pikachu | 2019 | 18,346 | 27.1% | Charizard 5/18 22.6% |
| Scarlet & Violet | 2023 | 165,232 | 26.9% | Gardevoir ex 245/198 36.8% |
| Obsidian Flames | 2023 | 201,952 | 24.0% | Charizard ex 223/197 22.2% |
| Evolutions | 2016 | 427,138 | 20.5% | Charizard 11/108 1.1% |
| Skyridge | 2003 | 86,944 | 19.8% | Charizard 146/144 14.3% |
| Burning Shadows | 2017 | 40,513 | 19.7% | Charizard-GX 20/147 26.1% |
| BREAKpoint | 2016 | 39,642 | 19.2% | Gyarados-EX 123/122 15.5% |
| Wizards Black Star Promos | 1999 | 91,712 | 18.2% | Mew 8 20.6% |
| Ancient Origins | 2015 | 41,958 | 18.1% | M Rayquaza-EX 98/98 13.9% |
| Fates Collide | 2016 | 42,677 | 17.4% | Alakazam-EX 125/124 9.3% |
| Great Encounters | 2008 | 10,029 | 17.0% | Darkrai LV.X 104/106 3.2% |
| McDonald's Collection 2024 | 2025 | 11,920 | 16.3% | Pikachu 002/015 15.6% |
| Gym Challenge | 2000 | 177,311 | 14.0% | Blaine's Charizard 2/132 Unlimited Holofoil 1.8% |
| BREAKthrough | 2015 | 35,132 | 13.7% | M Mewtwo-EX 160/162 14.2% |
| Aquapolis | 2003 | 65,594 | 13.3% | Lugia 149/147 3.8% |
| Neo Destiny | 2002 | 111,656 | 13.3% | Shining Charizard 107/105 Unlimited Holofoil 4.9% |
| FireRed & LeafGreen | 2004 | 50,923 | 13.3% | Charizard ex 105/112 6.2% |
| Emerging Powers | 2011 | 2,406 | 12.4% | Thundurus 97/98 12.0% |
| Expedition Base Set | 2002 | 112,834 | 12.2% | Charizard 6/165 1.2% |
| Hidden Legends | 2004 | 24,513 | 12.1% | Dark Celebi 4/101 4.1% |
| Delta Species | 2005 | 51,715 | 11.5% | Groudon ☆ 111/113 4.0% |
| Southern Islands | 2001 | 31,438 | 11.0% | Mew 1/18 0.4% |
| Noble Victories | 2011 | 4,392 | 10.9% | Victini 98/101 11.9% |
| Jungle | 1999 | 352,672 | 10.4% | Pikachu 60/64 First Edition 17.2% |
| Black & White | 2011 | 10,527 | 10.1% | Reshiram 113/114 6.8% |
| Team Rocket Returns | 2004 | 58,001 | 10.0% | Dark Dragonite 15/109 Cosmos Holofoil 1.1% |
| Neo Revelation | 2001 | 84,980 | 10.0% | Shining Gyarados 65/64 Unlimited Holofoil 1.4% |
| XY | 2014 | 8,228 | 9.7% | Blastoise-EX 142/146 1.2% |
| Fossil | 1999 | 383,695 | 9.5% | Dragonite 4/62 Unlimited Holofoil 0.3% |
| Team Rocket | 2000 | 410,680 | 9.3% | Dark Charizard 4/82 Unlimited Holofoil 0.9% |
| Base Set | 1999 | 1,100,757 | 9.2% | Charizard 4/102 Unlimited Holofoil 0.5% |
| Legend Maker | 2006 | 34,627 | 9.0% | Gengar 5/92 3.4% |
| Neo Discovery | 2001 | 74,301 | 8.9% | Umbreon 13/75 Unlimited Holofoil 1.4% |
| Roaring Skies | 2015 | 29,970 | 8.9% | M Rayquaza-EX 105/108 2.4% |
| Unseen Forces | 2005 | 51,124 | 8.8% | Entei ☆ 113/115 7.1% |
| Dragon | 2003 | 44,570 | 8.8% | Rayquaza ex 97/97 3.7% |
| Sandstorm | 2003 | 31,775 | 8.6% | Typhlosion ex 99/100 4.5% |
| Flashfire | 2014 | 15,891 | 8.4% | Charizard-EX 100/106 4.4% |
| POP Series 3 | 2006 | 5,576 | 8.4% | Vaporeon 6/17 0.7% |
| Deoxys | 2005 | 31,778 | 8.3% | Rocket's Raikou ex 108/107 3.7% |
| Emerald | 2005 | 24,346 | 8.2% | Rayquaza 9/106 4.8% |
| Team Magma vs Team Aqua | 2004 | 22,127 | 8.2% | Suicune ex 94/95 3.5% |
| Gym Heroes | 2000 | 154,582 | 7.9% | Sabrina's Gengar 14/132 Unlimited Holofoil 0.4% |
| Power Keepers | 2007 | 36,813 | 7.8% | Charizard 6/108 4.7% |
| Holon Phantoms | 2006 | 46,136 | 7.6% | Pikachu ☆ 104/110 4.3% |
| Neo Genesis | 2000 | 155,076 | 7.3% | Lugia 9/111 Unlimited Holofoil 0.1% |
| HS Triumphant | 2010 | 25,973 | 7.2% | Gengar 94/102 4.1% |
| Crystal Guardians | 2006 | 51,986 | 7.2% | Charizard δ 4/100 1.3% |
| Dragon Vault | 2012 | 4,461 | 6.2% | Rayquaza 11/20 3.3% |
| Supreme Victors | 2009 | 30,014 | 6.1% | Charizard G LV.X 143/147 3.6% |
| Plasma Blast | 2013 | 8,448 | 6.0% | Dialga-EX 99/101 3.7% |
| Dragons Exalted | 2012 | 8,537 | 6.0% | Rayquaza 128/124 2.7% |
| Dragon Frontiers | 2006 | 45,928 | 5.9% | Charizard ☆ δ 100/101 1.8% |
| Ruby & Sapphire | 2003 | 34,534 | 5.9% | Mewtwo ex 101/109 1.7% |
| Dark Explorers | 2012 | 9,135 | 5.8% | Groudon-EX 106/108 2.8% |
| Furious Fists | 2014 | 7,939 | 5.8% | Lucario-EX 107/111 1.7% |
| Legendary Collection | 2002 | 145,157 | 5.7% | Charizard 3/110 Reverse Holofoil 1.9% |
| POP Series 4 | 2006 | 4,019 | 5.6% | Mew 4/17 0.8% |
| Boundaries Crossed | 2012 | 11,029 | 5.5% | Charizard 20/149 Cosmos Holofoil 0.4% |
| Primal Clash | 2015 | 14,822 | 5.5% | Primal Groudon-EX 151/160 1.1% |
| POP Series 1 | 2004 | 4,523 | 5.3% | Tyranitar ex 17/17 0.4% |
| Generations | 2016 | 94,220 | 5.3% | Flareon-EX RC28/RC32 2.5% |
| Base Set 2 | 2000 | 141,624 | 5.2% | Charizard 4/130 0.3% |
| Rising Rivals | 2009 | 11,539 | 5.2% | Snorlax 33/111 League Stamp 16.4% |
| Plasma Freeze | 2013 | 14,068 | 5.2% | Deoxys-EX 111/116 3.1% |
| Legendary Treasures | 2013 | 17,038 | 5.2% | Charizard 19/113 6.4% |
| XY Black Star Promos | 2013 | 116,051 | 4.9% | Charizard-EX XY121 3.3% |
| HS Unleashed | 2010 | 13,468 | 4.9% | Tyranitar 88/95 0.9% |
| Next Destinies | 2012 | 7,571 | 4.8% | Zekrom-EX 97/99 1.4% |
| Call of Legends | 2011 | 27,009 | 4.6% | Rayquaza SL10 1.4% |
| Platinum | 2009 | 12,218 | 4.5% | Palkia G LV.X 125/127 2.8% |
| POP Series 9 | 2009 | 2,962 | 4.5% | Pikachu 15/17 Pokemon Day Stamp 4.2% |
| POP Series 5 | 2007 | 6,590 | 4.4% | Lugia 2/17 0.2% |
| Arceus | 2009 | 24,021 | 4.1% | Gengar LV.X 97/99 1.7% |
| Legends Awakened | 2008 | 9,239 | 3.8% | Dragonite 2/146 1.2% |
| Phantom Forces | 2014 | 17,130 | 3.8% | Gengar-EX 114/119 1.5% |
| Stormfront | 2008 | 13,368 | 3.7% | Charizard 103/100 1.5% |
| Majestic Dawn | 2008 | 10,847 | 3.6% | Leafeon LV.X 99/100 0.8% |
| HeartGold & SoulSilver | 2010 | 18,823 | 3.6% | Lugia LEGEND 114/123 0.9% |
| Mysterious Treasures | 2007 | 11,209 | 3.4% | Lucario LV.X 122/123 4.0% |
| Plasma Storm | 2013 | 12,260 | 3.3% | Charizard 136/135 2.5% |
| Diamond & Pearl | 2007 | 10,917 | 3.2% | Torterra LV.X 122/130 6.0% |
| HS Undaunted | 2010 | 24,863 | 3.2% | Umbreon 86/90 1.5% |
| Pokémon Rumble | 2009 | 8,386 | 2.8% | Pikachu 7/16 2.1% |
| Secret Wonders | 2007 | 18,363 | 2.8% | Charizard 3/132 1.9% |
| BW Black Star Promos | 2011 | 22,604 | 1.9% | Umbreon BW93 0.5% |
| HGSS Black Star Promos | 2010 | 8,289 | 1.4% | Pikachu HGSS03 1.8% |
| DP Black Star Promos | 2007 | 21,901 | 0.9% | Charizard G LV.X DP45 0.5% |
Gem rate by rarity in current sets
Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution rarities with at least 5,000 PSA-graded copies.
| Rarity | Graded copies | PSA 10s | Gem rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Attack Rare | 80,534 | 55,942 | 69.5% |
| Black White Rare | 37,636 | 19,826 | 52.7% |
| Promo | 1,060,158 | 524,948 | 49.5% |
| Ultra Rare | 497,590 | 234,821 | 47.2% |
| Double Rare | 133,356 | 61,702 | 46.3% |
| Special Illustration Rare | 1,843,429 | 791,780 | 43.0% |
| Shiny Rare | 38,759 | 16,620 | 42.9% |
| Illustration Rare | 1,830,795 | 644,896 | 35.2% |
| Shiny Ultra Rare | 18,733 | 6,498 | 34.7% |
| Uncommon | 27,932 | 8,766 | 31.4% |
| Common | 71,272 | 21,581 | 30.3% |
| Rare | 69,844 | 19,911 | 28.5% |
| Hyper Rare | 36,224 | 10,205 | 28.2% |
| Mega Hyper Rare | 63,172 | 11,431 | 18.1% |
Rarity alone doesn't decide the grade. Centering and print quality vary from one print run to the next, which is why two cards of the same rarity can have very different gem rates.
The most-graded Pokémon cards and their gem rates
The 15 printings PSA has graded most, with today's PSA 10 and raw near-mint prices.
| Card | Set | Graded copies | Gem rate | PSA 10 | Raw (NM) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mega Charizard X ex 023 | Mega Evolution Black Star Promos | 129,350 | 48.3% | $130.77 | $24.63 |
| Pikachu with Grey Felt Hat 085 | Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos | 120,546 | 42.1% | $2,452.48 | $987.10 |
| Charizard ex 199/165 | Scarlet & Violet 151 | 106,198 | 27.3% | $1,244.58 | $299.59 |
| Charizard 4/102 Unlimited Holofoil | Base Set | 105,822 | 0.5% | $35,401.12 | $987.13 |
| Charizard V SWSH050 | SWSH Black Star Promos | 91,420 | 56.3% | $91.58 | $12.14 |
| Moltres & Zapdos & Articuno-GX SM210 | SM Black Star Promos | 79,879 | 56.0% | $414.85 | $145.98 |
| Oricorio ex 024 | Mega Evolution Black Star Promos | 67,494 | 53.1% | $78.60 | $8.19 |
| Blastoise ex 200/165 | Scarlet & Violet 151 | 64,918 | 29.5% | $515.54 | $109.11 |
| Pikachu 160/159 | Crown Zenith | 63,870 | 52.7% | $222.41 | $37.17 |
| Mew ex 053 | Scarlet & Violet Black Star Promos | 62,927 | 17.8% | $673.71 | $63.14 |
| Charizard 4 | Celebrations: Classic Collection | 62,311 | 58.8% | $473.28 | $128.39 |
| Charizard VSTAR SWSH262 | SWSH Black Star Promos | 61,322 | 15.2% | $1,259.55 | $65.90 |
| Greninja ☆ SWSH144 | SWSH Black Star Promos | 60,984 | 5.0% | $2,034.78 | $20.08 |
| Mega Charizard X ex 125/094 | Phantasmal Flames | 59,061 | 59.8% | $1,241.29 | $582.91 |
| Charizard ex 223/197 | Obsidian Flames | 58,444 | 22.2% | $631.24 | $86.47 |
Does a low gem rate make a PSA 10 worth more?
We took the 651 Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution printings with at least 500 graded copies and a near-mint price of $5 or more, grouped them by gem rate and compared each card's PSA 10 price with its raw price:
| Gem rate | Cards | PSA 10 price vs raw (median) |
|---|---|---|
| 0% to 25% | 148 | 15.4× |
| 25% to 50% | 352 | 7.6× |
| 50% or more | 151 | 4.3× |
It comes down to supply. When most copies of a card come back as 10s, there are plenty of PSA 10s for sale and buyers pay little extra for the slab. When a 10 is hard to get, the few that exist sell at a much bigger markup over the raw card.
Why gem rates flatter your odds
The population report only counts cards people chose to send in, and most people only send copies they already think are clean. A random copy from a binder or a bulk box will usually do worse than its gem rate suggests. Treat the gem rate as a best case, look at the card under a bright light first, and check the borders with our centering guide before you pay a fee.
Check a card before you pay to grade it
Download Cardex free to identify the card and see its raw price. Cardex Premium adds PSA, CGC and BGS prices and AI Grading, which estimates the grade from two photos.
Should you grade your card?
A high gem rate makes a 10 more likely, but it also makes the 10 worth less. Our grading profit calculator loads any of 5,000 popular cards with today's prices and gem rate, adds PSA's current fees and shows whether grading beats selling the card raw. For the inspection itself, the condition guide walks through corners, edges and surface.
Where these numbers come from
The counts come from PSA's population reports for 31,771 printings of English Pokémon cards, read from the same data the Cardex app uses and refreshed daily. Each printing PSA lists separately, such as 1st Edition, Shadowless or reverse holo, is counted on its own. Qualified grades count with their number, and prices are near-mint USD market prices. The latest update is from October 30, 2026.
PSA 10 gem rate questions
What percent of Pokémon cards get a PSA 10?
About 33.6% of the English Pokémon cards PSA has graded came back as 10s: 5,849,185 out of 17,427,060 copies. It depends heavily on age. Scarlet & Violet cards gem 34.3% of the time and Mega Evolution cards 60.4%, while Wizards of the Coast era cards from 1999 to 2003 manage 10.1%.
What is a good gem rate for a Pokémon card?
Among Scarlet & Violet and Mega Evolution cards with at least 500 graded copies, the median gem rate is 38.6%. A modern card well below that is hard to get a 10 on; one well above it gems easily, which usually means its PSA 10 sells for a smaller premium.
Which Pokémon set has the highest PSA 10 rate?
Of the sets with at least 2,000 graded copies, Darkness Ablaze has the highest gem rate right now at 70.7%, and DP Black Star Promos the lowest at 0.9%.
Does a low gem rate make a PSA 10 worth more?
Usually. For modern cards with a gem rate under 25%, a PSA 10 sells for a median 15.4 times the raw near-mint price. For cards that gem 50% of the time or more, it's 4.3 times.
Why do newer Pokémon cards get more PSA 10s?
Most modern cards are sent in soon after they come out of the pack, often straight into a sleeve, so they have never been played with or stored loose. Older cards have had decades of handling, and many were played. The population report also only counts cards people chose to submit.
Where can I check the gem rate of my card?
PSA publishes a population report for every card it grades. Our grading profit calculator loads the gem rate and prices for 5,000 of the most-graded cards, and the Cardex app shows PSA population reports for the card you scan.
Sources
- PSA: Population Report: how many copies of each card PSA has graded at every grade.
- PSA: Grading Standards: what separates a 10 from a 9 and lower grades.