Vinyl Grading Guide: What "Near Mint" Actually Means

If you've bought records online for more than five minutes, you've run into grading terms that feel more like a secret code than a description: NM, VG+, VG, G+. Here's what they actually mean, and why it matters more for used and collectible vinyl than almost anything else about a listing.

Grading covers two separate things: the sleeve and the vinyl itself, usually written as sleeve/media — for example VG+/NM. A record can have a rough sleeve and pristine vinyl, or the reverse. Always check both before you buy.

MINT (M)

Truly unplayed, factory-sealed condition. Rare for anything not brand new — and genuinely rare even then. Most "mint" claims online are optimistic.

NEAR MINT (NM)

Barely played, no visible wear. This is the top tier you'll realistically find for most used records. What separates a genuine NM listing from a VG+ one is usually a close inspection under good light, not a quick glance.

VERY GOOD PLUS (VG+)

Light wear, maybe a few faint marks, but plays clean with no real impact on sound. This is the sweet spot for most collectors buying used vinyl — great condition without paying a mint premium.

VERY GOOD (VG)

Visible wear, some surface noise you'll notice during quiet passages. Still a legitimate listening copy, priced accordingly.

GOOD (G) AND BELOW

Heavy wear, audible surface noise throughout, sometimes skips. Fine as a placeholder copy of something rare. Not what you want for a record you're building a collection around.

Why this matters more for metal, punk, and hardcore

Small pressing runs and DIY labels mean a lot of what circulates in these genres is used, and grading inconsistency is rampant — the same record can get listed as NM by one seller and VG+ by another for identical actual condition. When we grade something in the shop, we grade it the way we'd want it graded if we were the ones buying it: under real light, both sides, sleeve and vinyl assessed separately.

If a listing doesn't specify a grade, or you want more detail before buying, ask — that's what the Contact page is for, and we'd rather answer a question than have you guess.