Frequently Asked Questions
Looking for the full formula behind index calculation? See Methodology.
What is CCG Index?
CCG Index is a free price-tracking platform for sealed trading card game products and singles across Magic: The Gathering and Pokémon TCG. We publish aggregate price benchmarks ("indices") that show the cost to buy one of every product in a category, plus per-product price history.
How is each index calculated?
Each index is the sum of the current TCGPlayer market prices of every product included in that index. For example, the MTG Booster Box index sums the latest market price for every booster box across every MTG set we track. There is no weighting or average — it is the raw cost to acquire one of each. Full details on /methodology.
Where does the price data come from?
Sealed product prices come from TCGPlayer market prices, which are TCGPlayer's computed mid-market value derived from recent sold listings. We supplement with Mana Pool, eBay sold listings, and PriceCharting where TCGPlayer coverage is thin (older or low-volume products). Single-card prices use TCGPlayer + Mana Pool buylist where available.
How often does the data refresh?
Sealed product prices refresh hourly. Single-card prices refresh at least daily, often more frequently. Index calculations are recomputed every hour. The "last updated" timestamp on each index page reflects the most recent constituent tick.
What is "Sealed EV"?
Expected Value (EV) for a sealed product is the average value of its contents based on hit rates and current single-card prices. For booster boxes, EV is the expected value of the cards inside; for collector boosters, it accounts for foil and special-treatment slot probabilities. EV is a probabilistic estimate — actual results vary widely. See /methodology for the formula.
Can I trust these prices for buying or selling decisions?
CCG Index is a research tool, not financial advice. Market prices fluctuate, retailer prices vary, and seller fees and shipping affect realized value. Always check the actual marketplace before transacting. We disclose data sources and methodology so you can evaluate accuracy yourself.
Do you have an API?
There is no public API at this time. We may publish one for non-commercial research use in the future. Contact us if you have a specific use case.
How do you make money?
CCG Index uses affiliate links to TCGPlayer, eBay, and other retailers. When you click "Buy" on a product page and complete a purchase, we may earn a commission at no cost to you. Affiliate links never alter the prices shown.
Who runs CCG Index?
CCG Index is operated by Buzzy Media LLC. See /about for more.
Why is some data missing for older or low-volume products?
Products with very low recent sales volume on TCGPlayer may show stale prices or no market price at all. For these, we attempt fallback lookups against eBay sold listings and PriceCharting. Some niche or out-of-print products simply lack reliable pricing data.