The Vinyl Record Grading Guide
Grading is the foundation of vinyl selling. Get it right and buyers trust you, disputes disappear, and your feedback score climbs. Get it wrong - even accidentally - and a single transaction can cost you a sale, a return, and a negative review that takes months of good feedback to bury.
Why Grading Matters More Than Price
On a marketplace like Discogs, buyers make purchase decisions almost entirely on grade and price. They can't hold the record, can't play it, can't examine it in person. The grade you assign is a promise.
An over-graded record creates immediate disappointment - even if the record plays fine, the psychological contract is broken. Disputes, neutral feedback, and negative reviews almost always trace back to grading disagreements.
An under-graded record, on the other hand, creates a pleasant surprise. Buyers who receive a record better than described become repeat customers.
The Golden Rule
When you're between two grades, always choose the lower one.
The Goldmine Grading Scale
Mint (M)
Absolutely perfect in every way. No visible marks of any kind. Typically sealed or unplayed. Many dealers argue a record cannot be graded Mint once played, since stylus contact introduces microscopic wear.
Near Mint (NM or M-)
Essentially perfect. May have been played once or twice with great care. No visible marks under bright light. Plays silently from start to finish with no surface noise.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
The most important grade for everyday vinyl selling. The de facto standard for "a good used record" - shows evidence of having been played, but plays with minimal noise.
The VG+ trap: Don't call a VG record VG+ just because it "looks good". Check under a bright directed light at a shallow angle.
Very Good (VG)
Clearly visible surface marks that produce audible results during playback. Still enjoyable, but noticeably imperfect.
Good Plus (G+) and Good (G)
Heavy wear that affects playback. G+ plays with noise; G barely plays through without skipping.
Fair (F) and Poor (P)
Barely playable or unplayable. Only worth selling if extremely rare.
Grading the Record (Media)
The assessment process
Use a bright, directed light - an LED desk lamp, or direct (not harsh) daylight through a window at an angle. Overhead room lighting is not sufficient.
Hold the record by the edges at roughly 30-45 degrees to your light source. Rotate the record slowly while watching the surface.
What you're looking for:
Hairlines
Thin scratches that catch the light. Light = VG+. Dense = VG.
Scuffs
Dull, cloudy areas. Usually audible as a swish. One/two small = VG+.
Deep Scratches
Visible grooves across surface. Short in non-critical = VG+.
Pressing Defects
Manufacture pits/bubbles. Should be disclosed, affects grade if audible.
Play-grading: The Gold Standard
The ideal method is playing the record. If you have a decent turntable, it adds confidence. You know exactly what the buyer will hear.
Grading the Sleeve and Cover
Convention on Discogs: Media Grade / Sleeve Grade (e.g. VG+/VG).
Ring wear
Circular indentation. Light = VG+, Heavy = VG.
Seam splits
Note seam and length. Small bottom split = VG+.
Writing & Cutouts
Names or promo slashes. Always disclose. Drops grade.
Water damage
Warping or staining. VG or lower.
How to Assess Condition Accurately
- Bright directed light - Angle light across surface
- Clean surface - Don't scratch record on dirty tables
- Grade every section - Rotate 360 degrees
- Clean before grading - Dusty records look worse. Also essential before taking photos.
- Grade for the worst section - 3 NM sides + 1 VG side = VG
- Determine its value - After grading, identify the specific pressing and check its historical value.
Common Grading Mistakes
Grading in poor room light alone
Grading without cleaning first
Grading the average instead of the worst section
Confusing pressing defects with damage without disclosing
Not grading the sleeve separately
Grading on Discogs vs eBay
Discogs
Buyers are educated and have high expectations. Inflated grades get noticed.
eBay
Buyers vary. Use descriptive language alongside abbreviations.
FAQ
What is VG+ in vinyl grading?
The standard 'good used condition' grade. The record shows some signs of play but plays with minimal surface noise.
What's the difference between VG and VG+?
VG+ plays cleanly with very faint noise; VG has clearly audible noise. VG is roughly 40-55% the value of VG+.
Should I grade before or after cleaning?
Clean first, then grade. A clean record gives you the true surface condition.
What does 'play-graded' mean?
The seller listened to the record to assess audio quality, signaling the grade reflects actual playback.
Summary
Accurate grading builds buyer trust that drives repeat purchases. When in doubt, grade down.