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Pokémon card centering: PSA 10 in millimetres
Short answer: PSA 10 requires 55/45 on the front and 75/25 on the back. On a standard Pokémon border (about 2.5 mm per side) that is a left–right difference of 0.5 mm, i.e. the print may sit at most 0.25 mm off centre. Full-art and SAR/SIR cards have no frame, so they must be measured against a reference image.
Shoot the front, flip, shoot the back. The app measures both in mm, overlays a reference for full-art cards and checks seven graders at once.
Border widths are typical measured values and vary by set and print run. With S = left + right margin, the allowed difference is S×0.1 for 55/45, S×0.2 for 60/40 and S×0.5 for 75/25.
The back of a Pokémon card has a blue border of roughly 3.5 mm. At 75/25 the allowed difference is 3.5 mm, so backs rarely cost a 10 — unless the back print is visibly shifted.
Card types and how to measure them
Standard (yellow / silver border): the printed frame is clear. Shoot on a dark cloth; the app measures frame-to-edge on all four sides.
Full art, SAR, SIR, Illustration Rare: no frame. Register a reference (official image or a PSA 10 scan) and the app aligns the artwork and reports the print offset.
Japanese vs English: same 63×88 mm size and the same PSA ratios. Japanese print runs are generally better centred, which is why many English-market submitters import Japanese cards.
Vintage (WOTC era): cutting variance is large; expect more 60/40 cards. Use several PSA 10 scans averaged as the reference to avoid copying one card's bias.
Measuring step by step
Open the app and keep the size at 63×88 mm.
Place the card flat on a plain dark cloth, phone straight above. Light from the side to avoid glare on holofoil.
The outline turns green and the app shoots. Read L:R and T:B, the mm margins and the PSA / BGS / CGC / SGC / TAG verdicts.
Flip and shoot the back; the app pairs it with the front and keeps corner close-ups in the record.
Common mistakes
Measuring in a sleeve: the sleeve edge is mistaken for the card edge. Take it out.
Light directly above: holo reflection washes out the edge. Move the lamp to the side.
Judging from one shot at 54–56: shoot three times; the app reports the median and range and holds the verdict if it straddles the line.
FAQ
What is the PSA 10 centering requirement for Pokémon cards?
55/45 or better on the front, 75/25 on the back. On a 2.5 mm border that is a 0.5 mm left–right difference.
How many millimetres off centre is still PSA 10?
About 0.25 mm on a standard border. That is below what a ruler can resolve, which is why camera measurement is needed.
Can full-art Pokémon cards be measured?
Yes, with a reference image. The app aligns the artwork to the reference and reports how far the print is shifted relative to the card edge.
Are Japanese Pokémon cards the same size?
Yes, 63×88 mm, and PSA applies the same ratios. Japanese runs are typically better centred.
Does a sleeve affect the measurement?
Yes. The sleeve edge can be mistaken for the card edge. Remove the card for anything near the 55/45 line.