Pokemon Card Centering Checker
Upload a photo. Get instant centering stats and PSA grade estimates.
Free • No account required • Works on any device
Drop your card photo here
or click to browse — JPG, PNG, HEIC supported
Best results: lay card flat on a plain dark or white background, shoot straight down.
How to Check Your Card's Centering
Lay Card Flat
Place your card on a plain, contrasting surface — a dark mat or white sheet works best.
Shoot Straight Down
Hold your phone or camera directly above the card. Avoid glare and shadows.
Upload Photo
Drop your image here. Our edge detection finds the card borders and calculates margins.
What the Numbers Mean
Left / Right Centering
The percentage of white space between the card edge and the art border on each side. 50/50 is perfectly centered. A 55/45 split means the art is shifted left.
Top / Bottom Centering
Same principle, but measured vertically. Top-centering is often more noticeable to graders.
Grade Estimate
Based on PSA's published centering thresholds. Both L/R and T/B must qualify. PSA 10 requires ≤55/45 on both axes. This is a centering-only estimate— corners, surface, and edges aren't evaluated.
PSA Centering Requirements (Modern Era)
| Grade | Centering Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PSA 10 | ≤55/45 both axes | Pristime centering — extremely rare |
| PSA 9 | ≤60/40 both axes | Mint — excellent centering |
| PSA 8 | ≤65/35 both axes | Near Mint-Mint — very good centering |
| PSA 7 | ≤70/30 both axes | Near Mint — minor off-centering OK |
| PSA 6 | ≤75/25 both axes | Excellent Mint — noticeably off-centered |
Requirements may vary for vintage era cards. Always check PSA's latest grading standards.
Tips for Accurate Results
✓ Do
- • Use even, non-reflective lighting
- • Lay card on a dark or white flat surface
- • Shoot straight down, parallel to the card
- • Ensure the entire card is visible in frame
- • Remove the card from sleeves/toploaders
✗Don't
- • Take photos at an angle
- • Use flash (creates glare and hotspots)
- • Leave card in a holder (reflections confuse the detector)
- • Use patterned backgrounds (edges get confused)
- • Crop the image before uploading
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is this tool accurate?+
It's very accurate for modern Pokemon cards in good condition, assuming you provide a clear, straight-on photo. The algorithm uses the same technique as professional edge grading tools: Gaussian blur to reduce noise, then Sobel edge detection to locate the card borders.
That said, it's an estimate. Professional grading also evaluates corners, surface condition, and edges — this tool only measures centering. Use it to screen cards before submitting to graders, not as a guarantee.
Why can't it detect the edges?+
Common causes:
- Card photographed at an angle (perspective distortion)
- Patterned or cluttered background
- Glare or reflections on the card surface
- Card still inside a sleeve or toploader
- Image is too dark or too bright
Try reshooting with even lighting, a plain dark or white background, and the camera held directly above the card.
Does this work on vintage cards?+
Yes, but there's a catch: vintage cards (Wizards-era, pre-2003) have different border proportions than modern cards. The tool still detects edges and calculates margins, but the millimeter measurements assume standard modern dimensions (63mm × 88mm).
Also, PSA's centering thresholds for vintage cards are stricter. Use this as a screening tool, but consult PSA's vintage-era grading standards for exact requirements.