What do the book conditions mean?
Updated 23 October 2026 · For everyone
Each listing is graded Like New, Gently Read, Well Loved or Worn but Readable, from five yes-or-no questions with a photo of every flaw.
What does each grade mean?
Grade | What to expect |
|---|---|
Like New | No flaw in any of the five areas we check. It's still a second-hand book, not brand new. |
Gently Read | One sign of wear only: a creased or bent spine, or a worn or damaged cover. |
Well Loved | One mark, stain or bit of writing, or any two flaws. No missing, loose or taped pages. |
Worn but Readable | Three or more flaws, or pages that are missing, loose or taped. |
How is the grade worked out?
When listing, the seller answers five questions:
Is the spine creased or bent?
Are there any marks, stains or discoloration on the cover or pages?
Does the book have any writing, highlighting or underlining inside?
Is the cover or dust jacket worn, torn or damaged?
Are there any missing, loose or taped pages?
Every "yes" needs a photo or video of the flaw, and Reshelf works out the grade from the answers. You'll find them under Book condition details on the book page, with See photo for each flaw.
Older listings
Some books were listed before this checklist. Their page says so: go by the photos and the description.
Freebies
If the book comes with a bookmark, postcard or other extra, the listing says Comes with freebies and shows it in a photo. Only what's described or shown is included.
The book is worse than described
Report it within 7 days of shipping: see How do I report a damaged, wrong or missing book?.
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