Card Grading ROI Calculator

Compare raw value with several graded outcomes and see the break even point before you pay for grading.

Use recent sold prices and the grading costs you actually expect to pay. Values and grades are estimates, not appraisals or financial advice.

Sell raw: estimated net—

Break even graded value—

Grade 8 outcome—Difference vs selling raw: —Grading ROI vs raw: —

Grade 9 outcome—Difference vs selling raw: —Grading ROI vs raw: —

Grade 10 outcome—Difference vs selling raw: —Grading ROI vs raw: —

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Card Grading ROI is available in Solvunu for Windows alongside Work Hours and the connected ecommerce tools.

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CARD GRADING IN SOLVUNU

Compare the decision, not just the grade.

Model grading ROI, keep card decisions organized and compare grader services side by side.

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How card grading ROI is calculated

This calculator measures the extra return from grading compared with selling the same card raw. Grading spend includes your grading fee, shipping and extra costs. The selling fee percentage applies to both raw and graded sales.

Raw net = raw sale value × (1 − selling fee rate).
Graded net = graded sale value × (1 − selling fee rate) − grading spend.
Extra return = graded net − raw net.
Grading ROI = extra return ÷ grading spend × 100%.
Break-even graded sale value = (raw net + grading spend) ÷ (1 − selling fee rate).

ROI is based on the additional grading spend, not the original purchase price of your card. When grading spend is zero, ROI is undefined and the calculator shows a dash.

Worked example: is grading worth the cost?

Suppose your card sells raw for $100, the graded sale estimate is $180, selling fees are 10%, and grading plus shipping costs $30. Selling raw leaves $90. Selling graded leaves $132 after fees and grading costs. Grading adds $42 compared with selling raw, giving a grading ROI of 140%. The graded sale needs to reach about $133.33 to break even with selling raw.

These amounts illustrate the calculation; they are not current card prices or a prediction of your grade.

Choose realistic prices and grade probabilities

Use recent completed sales for the exact card, edition, condition, grading company and grade. Asking prices are not evidence of a completed sale. Check the grading company's current service fees and include shipping, insurance and any expected extra charges in your costs.

Optional probabilities must add up to 100% across grades 8, 9 and 10. Expected net is the sum of each graded net multiplied by its probability. The calculator does not estimate those probabilities or include grades below 8, rejected submissions or ungraded returns. If these outcomes are plausible, assess their costs separately before submitting. Changes in sale prices, selling fees or turnaround time can change the result.

Raw versus graded is the real comparison

A graded sale price is not profit. Compare what you would keep from selling raw today with what you would keep after grading fees, shipping, insurance, other submission costs and selling fees.

Do not model only the top grade

A grade 10 can make almost any submission look attractive. The calculator also shows grade 8 and 9 outcomes so the downside is visible. Optional grade probabilities turn the scenarios into a probability-weighted expected result.

Use it for almost any card market

The same math works for Pokémon and other TCGs, as well as baseball, basketball, football, soccer and hockey cards. Use sold prices for the exact card, grader and grade you are comparing.