Prices and margins
How to estimate a trading card's price
Estimate a TCG card's value using its variant, language, condition and grade. Separate an estimate from your sale price and check your margin before listing.
Updated September 30, 2026
The short answer
A TCG card estimate starts with comparisons of the same printing, language, condition and finish. For a graded card, the grading company and grade must also match. If relevant comparisons are unavailable, do not substitute a different variant’s price. Keep the estimate separate from the price you choose to list.
How much is this card worth? For a TCG seller, the question needs more detail: which print, which language, what condition and which market? A price for a similar version can be a starting point, but it is not automatically the value of your copy.
An estimate helps you make a decision. The sale price is the decision you make, considering costs, availability and goals. Keeping these separate prevents an indicative number from becoming a promise of revenue.
Compare the right card first
Start with the game, set and collector number. Then check language, finish and any variants. A reverse holo should not be compared blindly with a non-foil version, and a reprint should not be confused with a first edition.
Assess condition on the physical copy: edges, corners, surface and centring are things to inspect and photograph. Do not apply one universal percentage to every Played card: the difference from Near Mint also depends on demand for that particular version.
For graded cards, the number is not enough
For a graded card, compare copies with the same print, language, grading company and grade. A 10 from one company is not automatically interchangeable with a 10 from another. Check qualifiers, certificate details and any distinctive features of the copy.
Serial-numbered copies require even more care. The print run and individual copy number may affect buyer interest. If relevant comparisons are missing, showing that an estimate is unavailable is more accurate than assigning the standard version's price.
Understand the context behind the price
An active listing is a seller's asking price; a completed sale is a different kind of evidence. When comparing prices, record the source, date, currency, whether shipping is included and how closely the variant matches. A handful of listings cannot guarantee a sale at that price.
If comparisons vary widely, work with a range and acknowledge uncertainty. Do not mix sealed products, graded cards and ungraded cards just to calculate an average: the quality of the match matters more than the number of results.
| Your copy | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Ungraded, Japanese, Near Mint | Same printing, language and condition; not an English reprint |
| PSA 9 graded | Same variant graded PSA 9; not PSA 10 or another company’s grade |
| Serial-numbered copy 7/50 | Same numbered edition; without relevant data, no reliable estimate |
From estimated value to sale price
Consider acquisition cost, applicable fees, packaging and any costs you cover. Then choose the margin you want. In a purely illustrative example, a card bought for €8, with €2 of other costs and a desired €3 margin, requires €13 in revenue before any additional costs not included.
Cardunity helps you organise inventory and prices for products linked to marketplaces. Before using Price Bot for automatic updates, check the strategy's scope and limits. Verify settings against the features actually available on your plan.
A comparison checklist to reuse
Keep a record of why you chose your price, particularly for expensive cards or those with few comparable listings. When the market changes, you can review it without rebuilding your research from scratch.
- Complete identification of the card and variant.
- Actual condition, language and grading details where applicable.
- Source, date and type of the prices compared.
- Costs considered and desired margin.
- Your chosen price separate from the estimate, with a date for the next review.