Comic Grade Abbreviations Explained: VG, FN, VF and NM

Comic grade abbreviations are short names for condition grades: PR (Poor), Fa (Fair), G (Good), VG (Very Good), FN (Fine), VF (Very Fine), NM (Near Mint) and MT (Mint). CGC pairs each one with a number on its 0.5 to 10 scale. For example, VF is 8.0 and NM is 9.4. A "+", "-" or "/" places a grade between two of these steps.

This guide lists every abbreviation on CGC's scale and explains what the main grades mean. It also covers one naming trap that catches new collectors.

Comic grade abbreviations and CGC numbers

CGC number	Abbreviation	Full name
10	Gem Mint	Gem Mint
9.9	MT	Mint
9.8	NM/M	Near Mint/Mint
9.6	NM+	Near Mint+
9.4	NM	Near Mint
9.2	NM-	Near Mint-
9.0	VF/NM	Very Fine/Near Mint
8.5	VF+	Very Fine+
8.0	VF	Very Fine
7.5	VF-	Very Fine-
7.0	FN/VF	Fine/Very Fine
6.5	FN+	Fine+
6.0	FN	Fine
5.5	FN-	Fine-
5.0	VG/FN	Very Good/Fine
4.5	VG+	Very Good+
4.0	VG	Very Good
3.5	VG-	Very Good-
3.0	G/VG	Good/Very Good
2.5	G+	Good+
2.0	G	Good
1.8	G-	Good-
1.5	Fa/G	Fair/Good
1.0	Fa	Fair
0.5	PR	Poor

Grades and numbers follow CGC's published grading scale.

How to read +, - and /

The symbols show where a grade sits between the main steps on the scale:

• + is one step above the main grade. VF+ (8.5) sits just above VF (8.0).
• - is one step below. VF- (7.5) sits just below VF (8.0).
• / sits between two main grades. FN/VF (7.0) is between FN (6.0) and VF (8.0).

On a CGC slab, the number is the grade. The abbreviation is just its name.

The naming trap: "Very Good" is below average

Some grade names don't mean what they sound like. CGC describes a VG 4.0 as a below-average copy with several moderate defects. A G 2.0 shows heavy handling. "Fine" (6.0) is only slightly above average.

So "Very Good condition" in a listing describes a well-worn comic, not a nice one. Use the number when you compare.

What the main grades mean

These summaries follow CGC's definitions. Read the full scale for exact wording.

• NM 9.4: very well preserved, with minor wear and small defects.
• VF 8.0: attractive, with one moderate defect or a build-up of small ones.
• FN 6.0: slightly above average, with a major defect plus smaller ones.
• VG 4.0: below average, with multiple moderate defects.
• G 2.0: heavily handled, with many moderate-to-major defects.
• Fa 1.0: very poorly handled, with a heavy build-up of major defects.
• PR 0.5: heavily defaced, and may be missing pieces.

For the top of the scale, see what CGC 9.8 means and our 9.8 vs. 9.6 vs. 9.4 comparison.

Example: one issue at two grades

We have two CGC Signature Series copies of Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars #8, both signed by John Beatty. One is graded 9.6 (NM+) and the other 7.5 (VF-).

The grades are six steps apart on CGC's scale: NM+ against VF-. The labels differ in one more way, though. The 7.5 label says "Newsstand Edition" and the 9.6 label doesn't. When you compare prices, match the edition as well as the grade. Our glossary explains newsstand editions.

Letter grades on raw comics

Sellers also use these abbreviations for raw, ungraded comics, such as "VF/NM" in a listing title. On a raw book, the grade is the seller's opinion. Check the photos, ask about defects, and remember that a CGC grade can differ. On a slab, the grade is printed on the label and recorded in CGC's database. You can check it with our CGC lookup checklist.

New to slabs? Start with our guide to graded comic books or read what CGC is.

Quick answer

VG, FN, VF and NM stand for Very Good, Fine, Very Fine and Near Mint. On CGC's scale they are 4.0, 6.0, 8.0 and 9.4. A "+" is one step higher, a "-" is one step lower, and a "/" falls between two grades. Despite the names, VG and G are below-average copies, so always compare the number.

Sources

• CGC: Comic Book Grading Scale