Standard Business Card Sizes & Dimensions - Gimmio (2024)

However, the standard size is different depending on where you live. Standard sizes can differ from region to region by as much as 0.2 inches (5 mm).

Here are the standard business card sizes based on region:

North American Standard Size: 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm)
European Standard Size: 3.346 × 2.165 inches (85 × 55 mm)
Oceania Standard Size: 3.54 × 2.165 inches (90 × 55 mm)

In addition to the standard sizes, these are some of the other popular business card sizes.

Jumbo Square Business Card Size: 3.5 x 3.5 inches (88.9 x 88.9 mm)

Square Business Card Size: 2.55 x 2.55 inches (65 x 65 mm)

Mini Square Business Card Size: 2 x 2 inches (50.8 x 50.8 mm)

Mini Business Card Size: 2.75 x 1.10 inches (70 x 28 mm)

Slim Business Card Size: 3.5 x 1 inches (88.9 x 25.4 mm)

Folded business cards are sometimes referred to as appointment cards or greeting cards. They aren’t very common as they are sometimes seen as big and clunky.

A common size for folded business cards is 3.5 x 4 inches (88.9 x 101.6mm). However, you can basically make them any size you like just by doubling the size of any ordinary business card.

Consider How Much Contact Information You Need to Include

The more contact information you need to include, the bigger your business card will need to be. Don’t try and cram more information into the same size business card by dropping font sizes, either. This will only result in disaster, as your text will be unreadable when printed.

The absolute minimum font size you should use in your business card is 8pt. However, you should try to stick with at least 12pt to ensure readability.

So, before picking a business card size, consider how much information you need to include on the card.

Single Sided or Double Sided

Will your business card only have information on one side or both? A common business card layout is to have a logo on one side and contact information on the other. If you’re using both sides of the card and still run out of room, you may need to consider a bigger size card.

On the contrary, if you only have a few bits of information and don’t want to have a lot of white space, you can use a smaller size card. Using a smaller size card is common in the tech industry where QR codes are the popular way to exchange contact information.

Plan the Layout

Sometimes the layout of your business card can impact the size of card you need to use. For example, if you need to position your wide horizontal logo directly next to your contact information, the mini square size might not be wide enough. For this example, a wider business card may be the answer.

Failing to plan your business card layout can result in odd-looking business cards with images and text being positioned in non-optimal positions. Play around with the layout first before committing to a size.

Set up the Correct Bleed, Cut Line and Safety Line

This is one of the most important parts of designing a business card. Using the wrong bleed, cut line and safety lines means your card could come out looking like it hasn’t been cut correctly, and you don’t want that.

If you wanted to use image-editing software such as Photoshop to design your business cards, you can set up borders in your workspace for these margins. However, every printing company has their own preferred margins that they use. So, before you begin your design, contact the printing company first to find out what margins they use for the bleed, cut line and safety line.

To avoid the hassle of configuring the margins in your image editing software and contacting your printing company, it’s easier to just use a business card maker that is made for the job.

Click here to read more about bleed, cut lines and safety lines in business cards.

Use the Correct DPI Settings

DPI stands for Dots Per Inch, and it is one of the most important things to know about when printing business cards.

The biggest mistake that people make when creating business cards is they use a low DPI setting such as the standard 72DPI, and when the cards are printed, they look grainy and are low resolution. Not the best look when handing someone your business card.

When you create a new document in Photoshop, it’s important to set your document size to be at least 300DPI. If possible, make it 600DPI. The higher the DPI, the clearer your business card will look when printed.

Set the Image Size to Inches or Millimeters

Since business cards are printed media, it’s easier to work with physical measurement formats such as inches and mm rather than working with pixels and then trying to convert the measurements back to inches.

Although it is possible to convert digital measurement formats to physical, it adds an extra layer of complexity to an already complicated task.

What is the best business card size?

The best business card size is the standard 3.5 x 2 inch card because they are the most common, and that means they fit perfectly in most wallet card slots and all the products which are made to organize business cards support that size.

Why do business cards come in a standard size?

There’s a good reason that a standard business card is 3.5 x 2 inches in size. It’s the same reason that credit cards and ID cards are the same size, because of wallets and purses.

Most wallets have card slots that fit that exact size. If a business card is bigger or smaller than the standard size, chances are it will be chucked out or lost by whoever receives it because it won’t fit in their wallet.

Can I print custom size business cards?

Yes, most printing companies allow you to print your business cards in any size. After all, business cards are simply small documents that are printed on heavier GSM paper.

Are there any advantages to having non-standard size business cards?

Having a non-standard business card can give you a lot more space to write additional contact information or to include a QR code. If you have the need to include more information that can fit on a standard sized business card, you should look at alternative sizes.

Wrap Up

You can spend days or even weeks designing the perfect business card, only to print it and notice that the text is too small. By that time, it’s too late and your money has gone down the drain.

Before sending your card design to the printer, ensure you check and recheck that the size of the business card is right. If you’re not 100% sure, don’t print it. It’s always good practice to send your card design to a friend or colleague to check over, before printing.