Guide
Beef marbling grades, on one scale
USDA, Australian and Japanese labels all describe marbling, but with different words and numbers. Move the slider to see roughly what each Beef Marbling Standard (BMS) score looks like and how it compares.
Comparison
Grade conversion table
Equivalents are approximate: each system measures differently.
| BMS | AUS-MEAT MB | USDA | Japan (JMGA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 0–1 | Select | A1–A2 |
| 2 | 1–2 | Low Choice | A2 |
| 3 | 2–3 | Choice | A2–A3 |
| 4 | 3–4 | Low Prime | A3 |
| 5 | 4–5 | Prime | A3 |
| 6 | 5–6 | High Prime | A4 |
| 7 | 6–7 | Above Prime | A4 |
| 8 | 7–8 | Above Prime | A5 |
| 9 | 8–9 | Above Prime | A5 |
| 10 | 9+ | Above Prime | A5 |
| 11 | 9+ | Above Prime | A5 |
| 12 | 9+ | Above Prime | A5 |
Prime, Choice and Select, set by marbling and the age of the animal. Prime is the smallest share of US beef.
Marble score from 0 to 9, written as MB on labels in Australia, Indonesia and Singapore. Wagyu above 9 is sold as MB 9+.
A letter for yield (A to C) and a number for quality (1 to 5). A5 requires BMS 8 to 12.
In the EU, carcasses are graded with EUROP, which rates muscle shape and fat cover rather than marbling. That is why French, German and Italian butchers sell beef by breed, origin and aging time.
FAQ
Grade questions
Is USDA Prime the same as wagyu?
No. USDA Prime is the top US grade and roughly matches BMS 4 to 6. Japanese A5 wagyu usually scores BMS 8 to 12, so it carries far more marbling than even high Prime.
What does MB mean on Australian beef?
MB is the AUS-MEAT marble score, from 0 to 9, with 9+ for the richest wagyu. For most beef it lines up closely with the Japanese BMS number.
Why don't European labels show a marbling grade?
The EU classifies carcasses with the EUROP system, which rates muscle shape and fat cover, not marbling. European butchers sell by breed, origin and aging time instead.