What Does VG+ Mean? Vinyl Grading Explained

Why Grades Matter More Than You Think

Vinyl records are physical objects. They wear. They scratch. They warp. Two copies of the same album, same pressing, same year, can sit next to each other in a crate and differ by hundreds of dollars in value. The only variable is condition.

The Goldmine grading scale is the shared language collectors use to describe that condition. It was developed by Goldmine magazine and adopted by virtually every record store, online marketplace, and collector community worldwide. If you buy, sell, or trade vinyl, you need to understand it. If you're just starting a collection, learning to read grades will save you real money from day one.

This guide walks through every grade on the scale, from Mint down to Poor. We'll cover what the record looks like, what it sounds like, how it affects price, and whether it's worth buying at each level. We'll spend the most time on VG+, because that's the grade most collectors encounter most often, and the one that causes the most confusion. For a broader overview that also covers buying and selling strategy, see our complete vinyl record grading guide.

The Full Goldmine Scale, Grade by Grade

Here's a quick reference table before we go deep on each grade.

Mint (M)

What it looks like: Absolutely perfect. Factory sealed. No marks, no scuffs, no fingerprints, no imperfections of any kind. The cover, inner sleeve, inserts, and shrink wrap are all flawless.

What it sounds like: Unknown. A true Mint record has never been played. If you open it, it is no longer Mint.

Price impact: Mint records can command a premium above Near Mint pricing, sometimes 10 to 30 percent more, because sealed copies are verifiably unplayed. For rare pressings, the premium can be much higher.

Should you buy it? Only if the seal is original and intact. Be cautious of re-sealed records. Some sellers re-shrink records to pass them off as Mint. If a "sealed" record from 1972 has tight, uniform shrink wrap with no aging, that's a red flag. Original shrink wrap from that era shows creasing, mild discoloration, and often has a notch or hole for the price sticker.

Near Mint (NM or M-)

What it looks like: Nearly perfect. The vinyl shows no visible surface marks under normal lighting. You might see a faint hairline mark or two if you hold the record under a bright, angled light and really look for them. The cover is crisp. Corners are sharp. No ring wear. No writing. No sticker residue.

What it sounds like: Pristine. No clicks, no pops, no surface noise. The record plays as if it were new. This is the highest realistic grade for any opened record.

Price impact: Near Mint is the baseline. When you see a record listed at a certain price on Discogs or in a price guide, that price assumes NM condition. Everything below NM is a percentage of that number.

Should you buy it? Yes, if the price is right. NM is the gold standard for serious collectors and the grade to target for high-value or rare pressings where you want the best possible listening experience. For common records you'll play regularly, VG+ offers better value.

Very Good Plus (VG+)

This is the grade most collectors will encounter most often, and it deserves the most attention.

What it looks like: Light surface marks are visible when you hold the record under direct light and tilt it. These are typically hairline marks from careful handling and normal play. No deep scratches. No gouges. No visible groove wear. The surface still has its original sheen. The label is clean, with no writing or sticker damage. The cover may show light ring wear (a faint circular impression from the record pressing against the inside of the jacket over time), slight edge wear, or a minor crease. All inserts are present and in good shape.

What it sounds like: Excellent. During loud passages, you'll hear nothing but the music. During quiet passages or between tracks, you might catch an occasional soft click or pop. The key word is occasional. A VG+ record does not have consistent surface noise. If you're hearing a steady crackle throughout, that record is VG, not VG+. The listening experience is very close to Near Mint for most people, especially through speakers rather than headphones.

Price impact: VG+ records typically sell for 50 to 60 percent of Near Mint value. On a record with an NM value of $40, a VG+ copy will run $20 to $24. For a record valued at $200 in NM, that drops to $100 to $120. The discount is significant, especially on expensive pressings.

Should you buy it? Almost always. VG+ is widely considered the sweet spot in vinyl collecting. The sound quality is excellent. The price is substantially lower than NM. And for everyday listening, the difference is barely perceptible. Experienced collectors often target VG+ specifically for records they plan to play regularly, reserving NM purchases for rare pressings or personal grails where condition is paramount.

One important note: VG+ is also the grade where sellers are most likely to be generous with their assessments. A record that is genuinely on the border between VG and VG+ will almost always be listed as VG+. When buying online, treat VG+ as a range rather than a fixed point. Some VG+ records will look and sound close to NM. Others will be barely above VG. Seller reputation and detailed descriptions matter enormously at this grade level.

Very Good (VG)

What it looks like: Light scratches are visible without having to angle the record under light. Surface marks are more numerous than VG+. You may see some scuffing or areas of cloudiness where the vinyl has lost its sheen. The label may have minor writing or sticker residue. The cover shows moderate wear: ring wear is clearly visible, edges show wear and possibly small splits, and there may be light foxing (small brown spots from age and moisture) or a price sticker.

What it sounds like: Noticeable surface noise. A consistent light crackle or hiss is present throughout playback, especially in quieter passages. You'll hear occasional pops and clicks. But the music is still clearly enjoyable, and the record tracks properly without skipping. Groove damage is minimal. Think of it as listening to the radio with mild static. The music comes through, but you're aware of the medium.

Price impact: VG records sell for roughly 25 to 35 percent of Near Mint value. That $40 record is now $10 to $14. This makes VG a practical option for common titles you want to own on vinyl without paying a premium.

Should you buy it? Yes, for the right records. VG is perfectly suitable for casual listening copies, common albums, or records you want to own while you search for an upgrade. It's also worth noting that a VG record that is merely dirty (not scratched) can sometimes be cleaned up to VG+ with a proper wet clean. If the surface noise seems like it could be caused by dust and grime rather than actual groove wear, a cleaning might reveal a better record underneath.

Good Plus (G+)

What it looks like: Scratches are clearly visible across the playing surface. You may see light warping when you hold the record at eye level. The surface has lost much of its original sheen. Scuffs and wear marks are widespread. The label may have writing, stamps, or significant sticker damage. The cover is heavily worn: full seam splits, significant ring wear, creasing, possible water stains, writing, or tape repairs.

What it sounds like: Significant surface noise throughout playback. Pops and clicks are frequent and sometimes loud. The music is audible and recognizable, but the noise floor is always present. The record plays through without major skipping, though you might encounter a sticky spot or two.

Price impact: G+ records sell for 10 to 20 percent of Near Mint value. At this level, price is driven more by scarcity than condition. A common album in G+ condition is worth very little. A rare pressing in G+ might still carry a meaningful price tag simply because better copies are hard to find.

Should you buy it? Only as a placeholder until you find a better copy, or for rare records where better copies are either unavailable or prohibitively expensive. G+ is a listening-grade purchase. You're buying the music, not the condition.

Good (G)

What it looks like: Heavy wear across the entire playing surface. Deep scratches, scuffs, and possible groove damage are visible. The record may have noticeable warping. The label is often written on, stickered, stamped, or partially torn. The cover is heavily damaged. Torn seams, water damage, missing pieces, or held together with tape.

What it sounds like: Heavy surface noise, distortion in louder passages, and frequent pops and clicks. The record plays through (mostly), but the listening experience is significantly compromised. Some passages may distort badly due to groove damage.

Price impact: Good records sell for 10 to 15 percent of Near Mint value. For common titles, this often means a dollar or two.

Should you buy it? Rarely. A Good record makes sense only if the title is rare enough that owning any copy is better than owning none. It also has some appeal as a "beater copy" for situations where you want vinyl playing but don't want to risk a good record. Parties, workshops, or background music at a shop.

Fair (F)

What it looks like: Severe wear and damage. Deep gouges, heavy warping, or cracks. The cover may be barely intact or missing entirely.

What it sounds like: Barely playable. Skipping, repeating, and severe distortion are likely. Some tracks may be unplayable altogether.

Price impact: 5 to 10 percent of NM value, if any buyer can be found at all.

Should you buy it? Almost never. The only scenario is an extremely rare record where this is the only copy available at any price.

Poor (P)

What it looks like: Cracked, broken, severely warped, or otherwise physically damaged to the point of being unplayable.

What it sounds like: It doesn't. A Poor record either won't play at all or skips so badly that continuous playback is impossible.

Price impact: Negligible. A Poor record has collectible value only as a display piece (if the label or cover is interesting) or as documentation that a particular pressing exists.

Should you buy it? No. Unless you need the cover for a wall display or the record has extreme historical rarity.

Sleeve Grading vs. Record Grading

The disc and its packaging are graded separately. Always. You'll see this written as two grades separated by a slash. VG+/VG means the record is Very Good Plus while the sleeve is Very Good. The first grade is always the disc. The second is always the cover.

This convention exists because records and their sleeves wear at different rates. A record stored upright in a dry room may have a pristine disc but a cover with ring wear and edge splits. A record that was handled carelessly but stored in a sturdy gatefold might have a scratched disc inside an immaculate cover. You cannot assume one from the other.

When a listing shows only one grade, it's ambiguous. Does it apply to the disc, the cover, or both? Reputable sellers always provide both grades. If only one is given, ask. Some sellers also grade inner sleeves, inserts, and bonus materials separately. The more detail, the better.

How Sellers Inflate Grades

Grade inflation is the single biggest problem in online vinyl buying. Understanding how and why it happens protects your wallet.

The most common inflation is VG to VG+. This is where the money is. The price jump from VG to VG+ is significant, often 20 to 30 percent of the record's NM value. Sellers who are optimistic, inexperienced, or deliberately misleading will call a borderline VG record "VG+" because it commands a meaningfully higher price. The result is that many records listed as VG+ online are really VG.

Using "NM" for anything clean-looking. Some sellers treat Near Mint as a synonym for "I can't see any scratches." But NM on the Goldmine scale means nearly perfect. One visible surface mark and the record is no longer NM. It's VG+ at best. If a seller describes everything in their shop as NM, they're not grading carefully.

Ignoring the play test. Visual grading is only half the equation. A record can look like VG+ and sound like VG because of groove wear that isn't visible to the naked eye. Sellers who skip the play test tend to overgrade consistently.

Vague language as cover. Watch out for descriptions like "plays great" or "in good condition" without specific Goldmine grades. "Good condition" in casual English sounds positive. On the Goldmine scale, Good means heavy wear and scratches. If a seller avoids the standard terminology, they may not know it, and that means their assessment is unreliable.

How to protect yourself

• Buy from sellers with strong feedback and a track record of conservative grading. A seller who consistently grades at VG+ and ships records that arrive looking NM is gold. Bookmark them.
• Ask for close-up photos under strong light. This reveals surface marks that stock photos and overhead shots hide.
• Read the full description. Good sellers note every flaw, even minor ones. If the description is one line long, the grading is likely superficial.
• Check return policies. Sellers who offer easy returns are less likely to overgrade, because they know the records will come back.

How to Grade Your Own Records at Home

Grading your own collection is a useful exercise. It helps you understand what you own, identify records that might need upgrading, and set fair prices if you decide to sell. Here's how to do it accurately.

Visual grading

Find a strong, angled light source. A bright desk lamp works well. Hold the record under the light and rotate it slowly. Surface marks, hairline scratches, and scuffs become visible as the light catches them at different angles. Overhead room lighting is too diffused to reveal most surface wear. You need a directional source.

Handle the record by its edges and label only. Fingerprint oils attract dust, and touching the playing surface adds marks you'll then have to account for in your grade.

Check for warping by placing the record on a flat surface and looking for any wobble. You can also hold it at eye level and sight across the surface. Even a minor warp is visible in profile. Small warps may not affect playback, but significant warping causes tracking problems and drops the grade to G+ or lower regardless of surface condition.

Play grading

Visual inspection tells you part of the story. Play grading tells you the rest. Some records look worse than they sound (surface marks that the stylus glides over without audible effect). Others look better than they sound (groove wear that is invisible but audible as distortion).

Use a clean, properly aligned stylus. A worn or dirty needle makes good records sound worse than they are. Clean your stylus before every grading session. Play the record all the way through, or at minimum sample several tracks across both sides. Listen with headphones. Speakers can mask surface noise that headphones reveal. Pay special attention to quiet passages, fade-outs, and the inner grooves near the label, where distortion tends to concentrate.

Note any skipping or repeating. A record that skips, even once, cannot be graded higher than Good regardless of how it looks.

The difference between visual and play grading

The conservative approach is to go with whichever is lower. If a record looks like VG+ but sounds like VG, grade it VG. If it looks like VG but sounds like VG+, you can note that in your description ("visually VG, plays at VG+"), but the primary grade should still reflect the visual condition. Buyers inspect before they play. When selling, the visual grade sets expectations. The play grade confirms them.

Red Flags When Buying Online

Beyond grade inflation, a few specific warning signs are worth knowing.

• Stock photos instead of actual photos. If the listing uses a generic image of the album cover rather than a photo of the actual item, you have no visual confirmation of condition. Always request actual photos before purchasing high-value records.
• "Plays fine" without a grade. This tells you nothing about condition. A G+ record "plays fine" in the sense that it plays through. That doesn't mean it sounds good.
• Sealed records at suspiciously low prices. If a sealed original pressing is priced at VG+ levels, it may have been re-sealed. Legitimate sealed copies of older records command premiums.
• No mention of the cover or sleeve grade. If the listing only grades the disc, the cover might be in poor shape. Ask.
• A seller with hundreds of listings all graded NM. Statistically improbable. Either they're cherry-picking their best stock (fine) or overgrading everything (not fine). Check their feedback.

Tracking Grades in Your Collection

Once you've graded your records, you need somewhere to store that information. A spreadsheet works for small collections. But as your library grows past a few hundred records, managing condition data alongside artist, title, pressing, and value information becomes unwieldy.

Spinstack lets you assign a Goldmine condition grade to every record in your collection. You can set separate grades for the disc and sleeve. Filter your library by condition to find records that need attention or identify your best copies. Sort by grade to build a sell list or spot upgrade opportunities. If you use Discogs, Spinstack syncs your condition data both ways, so your grades stay consistent across platforms.

The practical value shows up at record fairs and shops. When you spot a copy of something you already own, a quick check in Spinstack tells you whether your current copy is VG or NM. You know instantly whether the upgrade is worth the price. If you're curious about what your collection might be worth at current conditions, our guide on how to value a vinyl collection covers that in detail.

Spinstack runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV. Your grades sync across all devices. The information is always at hand, whether you're in your listening room or standing in front of a crate at a flea market.

The Bottom Line

VG+ means a record with light surface marks that may produce occasional soft clicks but sounds excellent overall. It is the most common grade in the used record market and the best value for most collectors. It costs roughly half of what a Near Mint copy costs, but delivers 90 percent of the listening experience.

Understanding grades protects you as a buyer, makes you a better seller, and gives you a clear picture of what your collection is actually worth. Learn the scale. Grade conservatively. Trust your ears as much as your eyes. And when in doubt, buy from sellers who do the same.