Vinyl Record Grading Guide with Pictures

Vinyl Record Grading Guide for - Vinyl, Sleeves, Inserts, Inner Sleeves and Boxes.

For a more in-depth guide see our Vinyl LP Terminology & Abbreviation Guide  

Vinyl Grades / Condition (this accounts for both sides of the vinyl) It should be noted that the images below highlight the marks, and in many cases you would need to angle the record under bright light to see these marks)

Visual vs Play Grades It should be noted that all dealers/sellers visually grade, only playing if a vinyl warrants playing because of its rarity and has marks. Regardless of visual condition they can and do all play differently.  

VINYL Condition Examples

MINT – This means the record is brand new or likely unplayed.


NM – Near Mint means the record is in near perfect condition, it can show handling marks such as a light fingerprint, or a couple of non audible marks, most Mint records that are pre-owned should be graded at NM.

 
EX - Excellent which is similar but just slightly under NM, it may have 1 or 2 light surface scratches, or a few minor surface marks nothing that deters the listening experience.
Any reputable dealer would clean the record (below) which would leave this grade looking almost perfcet.


VG+ – Very Good Plus means that the vinyl will have evidence of careful use, it will show some minor light surface marks (shown here) but nothing deep or overly affecting sound.


VG – Very Good means that the record has been well used and not particularly looked after. This is the most common grade for most peoples record collection from old. This will display marks and light scratches (feel-able by finger) to the vinyl, it should play without problem but will include some light clicks and background noise.


G – Good, this grade means well used, the record will still play but with noticeable noise and clicks, only worth buying if you have a cheap set up and love 'crackle & pop'.

 

P – Poor, this condition is rarely saleable! and unless very rare, it likely will not play properly without sticking or jumping, loud clicks and substantial background noise, this will also damage your player!!

 

Cover Condition Examples (this should includes any inserts)

 

MINT – This means the jacket (sleeve) and any other inserts are in New condition. However even brand new sleeves could have the smallest dint or blemish. (This sleeve from 1982 is pristine but I would still only grade NM, as its debatable if a Mint sleeve exists?)

 

NM – Near mint means there may be some very light storage wear or dint, but the cover or contents should not have anything particularly noticeable or off putting to the eye.

EX - Excellent means overall the sleeve has been very well looked after, and might suffer from minor corner dints, minor spine creases, slight discolour or slight spine damage.

VG+ – Very Good plus means the sleeve and contents have been well looked after and stored, only showing minor wear, slight scuffs, slight fading, small tear, light ringwear and or minor creases or bends. (The one below borders VG to EX due to the colour of the sleeve) 

VG – Very Good sleeves and contents will be fairly heavely worn, showing a cover tear, sticker tear, spine split/s, plenty of creases, edge wear and noticeable ring wear.

G – Good covers are only suitable if you don’t care about the sleeve, this will be damaged badly in all manor of abuse, maybe ok for something very rare!

 

P – Poor covers may not be complete and completely defaced.

There are 2 grading systems used now in the UK and around the world, they are

  • Record Collector UK Grading guide

  • Goldmine US Grading guide

Although there are some arguments with both guides on the whole they both work well, due to the excess of online sales now the majority go with the Goldmine guide.

I hope this guide by Studio Records as helped.