Understanding Vinyl Record Grading: Mint to Poor, Explained Simply
Grading exists to answer one question, and it is not a complicated one. What will this record actually sound like when I put it on?
The trouble is that the terms get used loosely. Mint, VG+, and Good can mean noticeably different things depending on who is selling. So here is the scale in plain language, along with what each grade honestly means once the record is on the platter.
Why grading is worth understanding
A grade is a promise about four things: how the record will sound, how it will look, what it is worth, and whether it will hold that value. An honest grade sets expectations you can plan around. A generous one just moves the disappointment to the moment you drop the needle.
The scale, top to bottom
Most reputable shops work from some version of the Goldmine standard. Here is the practical version.
Mint (M)
Flawless, unplayed, perfect jacket. Genuinely Mint records are close to mythical. A sealed record is not automatically Mint, because pressing defects and warps happen inside the shrink wrap too. Treat anyone grading a lot of stock as Mint with some caution.
Near Mint (NM)
Played a handful of times at most. No audible surface noise, no visible scratches, jacket close to perfect. This is the realistic ceiling, and it is the grade serious listeners should actually be shopping for.
Very Good Plus (VG+)
Light signs of use, minor surface marks that do not intrude, maybe a little noise between tracks, slight shelf wear on the jacket. For most people this is the sweet spot. You give up very little sound and you save real money.
Very Good (VG)
Visible wear and light scratches, audible surface noise especially in the quiet parts, but it plays through without skipping. The jacket will show it, possibly including seam splits. Perfectly good listening if the price reflects it.
Good and Good Plus (G, G+)
Heavy wear, constant noise, possible distortion, a jacket that has been through something. Despite the name, Good is not good. These are placeholders you keep until a better copy turns up.
Poor and Fair (P, F)
Severe damage, skips, warps, sometimes a missing jacket. Display pieces and curiosities, not listening copies.
The record and the jacket are graded separately
You will see grades written as a pair, like VG+ record in a VG jacket. Both matter. A clean record in a beaten jacket still sounds great, but the jacket drags the value down. If a listing gives you one grade and not the other, ask.
Visual grading versus play grading
Visual grading means someone looked at it under a light. Play grading means someone actually listened to it. Visual is faster, play grading is more accurate, and the gap between them is where most bad surprises live. Here, used vinyl is inspected and cleaned, and play graded when the record calls for it.
Why grades feel inconsistent online
Three reasons, usually. Someone is grading generously to justify a price, someone genuinely has different personal standards, or the record was never cleaned before it was inspected, so dust got read as wear. That last one is more common than people think. Buying from a shop that grades the same way every time is worth more than chasing a perfect grade from a stranger.
How we grade
Conservatively, and we would rather undergrade than oversell. Every used record is cleaned, inspected, and priced to its condition. The goal is that the record meets or beats what the sticker told you, every time. That side of the shop is at 4 Thacher St, where you can look at it yourself before you buy, which is the whole point.
Cheat sheet
| Grade | Short | What you will hear | What you will see | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mint | M | Unplayed, perfect | Flawless | Archival, and genuinely rare |
| Near Mint | NM | No audible noise | Almost no visible wear | Collectors and critical listening |
| Very Good Plus | VG+ | Excellent, minimal noise | Light marks, cared for | Most buyers, best value |
| Very Good | VG | Noticeable noise, no skips | Visible wear and scuffs | Listening on a budget |
| Good, Good Plus | G, G+ | Heavy noise, some distortion | Heavy wear, jacket damage | Placeholder copies |
| Poor, Fair | P, F | Skips, warps, severe noise | Significant damage | Display only |
A few questions we get
Is VG+ good enough to actually listen to?
Yes. On a properly set up turntable, most VG+ records sound excellent.
Are sealed records automatically Mint?
No. Seals hide warps, off center pressings, and jacket dings just as well as they hide good news.
Does cleaning improve a grade?
Cleaning improves playback, sometimes dramatically, but it cannot undo physical wear. Dirt comes off. Groove damage does not.
Grading is not about chasing perfection. It is about honesty and knowing what you are getting. Still working out what to buy? Our guide to new versus used vinyl pairs well with this one. Or come by 4 Thacher St and we will walk you through a stack in person.
