Full Blood Wagyu vs. American Wagyu vs. USDA Prime: Understanding the Differences
From the Cross Creek Ranch team in Hesperus, Colorado. Updated October 2026.
Full Blood Wagyu is 100% Japanese Black cattle and has the most marbling. American Wagyu is a cross of Wagyu and Angus, with strong marbling and a more familiar beef flavor. USDA Prime is the top USDA grade for any breed, and it has much less marbling than either kind of Wagyu. Japanese A5 is the top grade in Japan's own system, and only beef graded in Japan can carry it. Here is how the four compare.
At a glance
| Full Blood Wagyu | American Wagyu | USDA Prime | Japanese A5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | 100% Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu) cattle | Wagyu crossed with Angus | Top USDA grade, any breed | Top grade for Wagyu graded in Japan |
| Marbling (BMS) | 10 to 12 (ours) | 7 to 10 (ours) | About 5 and up | 8 to 12 |
| Flavor | Very rich and buttery | Rich, with a familiar beef flavor | Classic beef flavor | Very rich and buttery |
How Wagyu came to the United States
Wagyu arrived in the United States in 1976, when four Wagyu bulls were imported. More imports in the 1990s brought in both bulls and cows. That let breeders raise Full Blood Wagyu here and cross Wagyu with American breeds.
Full Blood Wagyu
Full Blood Wagyu has 100% Wagyu genetics. Ours is Japanese Black (Kuroge Washu), with bloodlines that trace back to Japan, and it scores BMS 10 to 12. It has the most marbling of the four and a rich, buttery flavor. Most people eat it in smaller portions.
American Wagyu
Our American Wagyu is a cross between our Wagyu and Angus cattle, and it scores BMS 7 to 10. It has more marbling than USDA Prime and more of the beef flavor most Americans know. It costs less than Full Blood Wagyu and cooks like any good steak, so it works well for a regular steak night.
USDA Prime
USDA Prime is the highest USDA quality grade, and it can come from any breed. USDA graders judge marbling and the age of the animal. Prime starts at about BMS 5. That is below both kinds of our Wagyu, but Prime is still excellent beef with a classic flavor.
Japanese A5 Wagyu
In Japan, Wagyu is graded for yield (A, B or C) and for quality (1 to 5). A5 is the top grade, and it requires a BMS of 8 to 12. Only beef graded in Japan can be called A5. It is very rich and is usually served in small portions.
We measure the marbling of our Full Blood Wagyu with an MIJ-30 camera, which reports BMS. Our best cuts reach BMS 12, the top of the A5 range.
Which should you buy?
For the richest steak, choose Full Blood Wagyu. For a well-marbled steak with a familiar flavor at a lower price, choose American Wagyu. If you have only cooked USDA Prime, American Wagyu is an easy next step.
Shop American and Full Blood Wagyu
Raised in Colorado and shipped to your door. Free 2-day shipping on orders over $200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Full Blood Wagyu and American Wagyu?
Full Blood Wagyu is 100% Japanese Black cattle. American Wagyu is a cross between Wagyu and Angus. Full Blood Wagyu has more marbling. American Wagyu has a more familiar beef flavor and costs less.
Is American Wagyu better than USDA Prime?
It has more marbling. Our American Wagyu scores BMS 7 to 10. USDA Prime starts at about BMS 5, so American Wagyu is richer and more tender.
Is Full Blood Wagyu the same as A5?
Not exactly. A5 is a grade that only Japan gives. Full Blood Wagyu describes the genetics of the cattle. Our best Full Blood Wagyu reaches BMS 12, the top of the marbling range for A5.
What BMS is USDA Prime?
USDA Prime starts at about BMS 5 on the Beef Marbling Score, which runs from 1 to 12.
Read more: Beef marbling explained and Why is Wagyu so expensive?
