Record · Cassette · CD scanner

Identify pressings. Grade condition.
Know what your records are worth.

VinylIQ is the crate-digger's pocket reference. Snap a record, get pressing details, condition guidance, and an honest market value — backed by deep guides on every step of vinyl identification and valuation.

Get the iOS App Read the Guides

Goldmine grading · matrix decoding · pressing variants · honest valuations

What you'll learn here

Long-form guides written for collectors who care about the details.

Identify any pressing

Catalog numbers, matrix runout codes, label variants, and pressing plant tells — broken down so you can spot a first press from a reissue at a glance.

Grade with confidence

Goldmine scale explained for vinyl and sleeve, with photo-quality criteria for NM, VG+, VG, and the borderline calls collectors argue about.

Value records honestly

How to read Discogs market data, when condition flips a price by 5×, and where the actual liquid market is for your records.

Care for the long haul

Storage conditions, cleaning that doesn't damage grooves, and why inner sleeves matter more than you'd think.

How the VinylIQ app works

Three taps from the thrift store bin to a market-ready answer.

Snap a photo

Sleeve, label, or runout — the VinylIQ iOS app reads what's in front of you.

Get the pressing

Identification, variant, mono/stereo, region, edition — instantly.

Know the value

Condition-adjusted estimate from market data, with confidence ranges.

Get the App

Start with a pillar guide

The five guides every vinyl collector should read first.

Identification

How to Identify Vinyl Records: Catalog, Matrix & Label Guide

Identify any vinyl record using catalog numbers, matrix codes, label variants, and sleeve construction. A working collector's reference, with real examples.

18 min read

Grading

Vinyl Record Grading Guide: Goldmine Scale Explained

Grade vinyl records using the Goldmine scale. Visual and audible criteria for NM, VG+, VG, G+ — with the boundary calls that decide real money.

17 min read

Pressings

First Pressing vs Reissue: How to Spot the Real Thing

Tell first pressings from reissues using matrix codes, label variants, sleeve construction, and country of origin. Plus when reissues are the smart buy.

19 min read

Valuation

How to Value Vinyl Records: Realistic Pricing for Sellers & Buyers

Value vinyl records using the four pricing variables: pressing variant, condition, demand, and timing. Plus realistic Discogs data interpretation.

16 min read

Care

Vinyl Record Care and Storage: The Working Collector's Guide

Care for vinyl records long-term: storage conditions, cleaning, inner sleeves, playback maintenance, and the practices that preserve value over decades.

15 min read

View all guides →

Frequently Asked Questions

How does VinylIQ pricing work?+

The VinylIQ iOS app uses a subscription model. New users get a small number of scans to try before subscribing. Subscriptions unlock unlimited scans, deeper pressing detail, condition grading guides, and ongoing feature updates. Pricing is managed through the Apple App Store.

How accurate are valuations?+

Valuations are estimates based on recent market data and Discogs sale history. Actual sale prices vary based on condition, buyer demand, regional market trends, and timing.

Does VinylIQ identify cassettes and CDs too?+

Yes — the iOS app scans vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs. The web guides on this site focus primarily on vinyl identification and grading, which has the most collector demand.

Where do I start?+

If you're new to grading, start with our Goldmine grading guide. If you want to know what your records are worth, our valuation guide is the right entry point.

Stop guessing. Start grading.

Download VinylIQ for iOS and turn every record into a known quantity.