Wagyu Grading

Wagyu Beef carcasses are graded between the sixth and seventh rib. Grading is based on two, very specific factors: Yield and Grade. Yield meaning the ratio of meat compared to the actual carcass weight. Grade meaning the overall Beef Marbling Score (BMS), Beef Color Standard (BCS) , Beef Fat Standard (BFS) , Firmness & Texture. In order to qualify as A5 Japanese Wagyu, beef must be graded as Grade A for yield and Grade 5 in BMS, BFS, BCS, firmness and texture.

Beef Marbling Score (BMS)

Grade	BMS
5	8-12
4	5-7
3	3-4
2	2
1	1

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #1, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 1

BMS #1

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #2, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 2

BMS #2

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #3, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 3

BMS #3

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #4, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 3

BMS #4

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #5, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 4

BMS #5

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #6, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 4

BMS #6

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #7, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 4

BMS #7

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #8, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 5

BMS #8

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #9, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 5

BMS #9

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #10, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 5

BMS #10

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #11, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 5

BMS #11

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Marbling Score (BMS) of #12, which corresponds to a Quality Grade of 5

BMS #12

Beef Fat Standard (BFS)

Grade	BFS
5	1-4
4	1-5
3	1-6
2	1-7
1	Out of Range

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #1

BFS #1

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #2

BFS #2

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #3

BFS #3

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #4

BFS #4

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #5

BFS #5

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #6

BFS #6

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Fat Standard (BFS) of #7

BFS #7

Beef Color Standard (BCS)

Grade	BCS
5	3-5
4	2-6
3	1-6
2	1-7
1	Out of Range

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #1

BCS #1

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #2

BCS #2

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #3

BCS #3

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #4

BCS #4

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #5

BCS #5

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #6

BCS #6

Reference photo of a Japanese Wagyu Beef with a Color Standard (BCS) of #7

BCS #7

Firmness

Grade	Firmness
5	Very Good
4	Good
3	Average
2	Below Average
1	Inferior

Texture

Grade	Texture
5	Very Fine
4	Fine
3	Average
2	Below Average
1	Coarse

Yield

Grade	Yield
A	72%
B	69%-72%
C	Below 69%