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Playing cards seem simple enough — until you actually need to print or package them. Then the questions start piling up. What size is a standard poker card? Are tarot cards bigger? What dimensions do I give my printer? We’ve put together this complete guide so you have one reliable place to look up every card size you need, in every unit of measurement. .
This guide gives you every playing card size you need — in inches, millimeters, centimeters, and pixels — for every major card type on the market. Bookmark it for reference.
Quick Reference: Standard Playing Card Size
The most commonly used playing card size in the world is the poker card, measuring 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63.5 x 88.9 mm). This is the size you’ll find in most standard 52-card decks sold globally.
| Card Type | Width × Height (inches) | Width × Height (mm) | Width × Height (cm) |
| Poker | 2.5 × 3.5 in | 63.5 × 88.9 mm | 6.35 × 8.89 cm |
| Bridge | 2.25 × 3.5 in | 57.15 × 88.9 mm | 5.71 × 8.89 cm |
| Tarot | 2.75 × 4.75 in | 69.85 × 120.65 mm | 6.98 × 12.06 cm |
| European | 2.4 × 3.8 in | 61 × 97 mm | 6.1 × 9.7 cm |
| MTG (Magic: The Gathering) | 2.5 × 3.5 in | 63.5 × 88.9 mm | 6.35 × 8.89 cm |
| Mini Cards | 1.75 × 2.5 in | 44.45 × 63.5 mm | 4.44 × 6.35 cm |
A Brief History of Playing Cards
Playing cards date back to 9th-century Tang Dynasty China, where they first appeared as paper tiles used in games of chance. By the 14th century, cards had spread through Persia and Egypt into Europe, where different regions developed their own suits and formats. The French suit system — spades, hearts, diamonds, and clubs — became the global standard and is what we use in poker decks today.
The dimensions of playing cards were standardized much later, largely driven by the rise of casino gambling in the 20th century, which demanded consistent card sizes for shuffling machines and dealing shoes.
How Many Cards Are in a Standard Deck?
A standard deck has 52 cards plus 2 Jokers (54 total). Games like Tarot use 78 cards, while some children’s games use fewer than 52. The thickness of a full 52-card poker deck is approximately 0.75 inches (19 mm), and a single card is roughly 0.0078 inches (0.2 mm) thick.
Poker Card Dimensions
Poker cards are the world’s most recognized card format. They are used in casinos, homes, and competitive tournaments globally.
Standard poker card size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
| Measurement | Value |
| Width × Height (inches) | 2.5 × 3.5 in |
| Width × Height (mm) | 63.5 × 88.9 mm |
| Width × Height (cm) | 6.35 × 8.89 cm |
| Width × Height (pixels at 300 DPI) | 750 × 1050 px |
| Width × Height (pixels at 72 DPI) | 180 × 252 px |
| Card Thickness | 0.0078 in / 0.2 mm |
Recommended box dimensions for a single poker deck: 3.75 × 2.75 × 0.9 inches
Why this size? The 2.5 × 3.5 inch format fits comfortably in adult hands, allows easy fanning and shuffling, and is compatible with standard card sleeves and casino dealing equipmen
Bridge Card Dimensions
Bridge cards are narrower than poker cards, making them easier to hold a larger hand of cards at once — which matters in a game where players hold 13 cards simultaneously.
Standard bridge card size: 2.25 × 3.5 inches
| Measurement | Value |
| Width × Height (inches) | 2.25 × 3.5 in |
| Width × Height (mm) | 57.15 × 88.9 mm |
| Width × Height (cm) | 5.71 × 8.89 cm |
| Width × Height (pixels at 300 DPI) | 675 × 1050 px |
Recommended box dimensions for bridge cards: 5.2 × 3.3 × 1.2 inches
Poker vs. Bridge Cards: The only difference is width — bridge cards are 0.25 inches narrower. They are otherwise identical in height, thickness, and m
Tarot Card Dimensions
Tarot cards are significantly larger than playing cards. The extra size provides space for detailed, illustrated artwork on each card, which is central to tarot’s use in divination and spiritual practice.
Standard tarot card size: 2.75 × 4.75 inches
| Measurement | Value |
| Width × Height (inches) | 2.75 × 4.75 in |
| Width × Height (mm) | 69.85 × 120.65 mm |
| Width × Height (cm) | 6.98 × 12.06 cm |
| Width × Height (pixels at 300 DPI) | 825 × 1425 px |
Standard tarot box dimensions: 3.5 × 5.5 × 1.5 inches
A standard tarot deck contains 78 cards, divided into the Major Arcana (22 cards) and Minor Arcana (56 cards)
Oracle Card Dimensions
Oracle cards don’t follow a single universal standard — they come in a wide range of sizes depending on the publisher and intended use. Below are the five most common oracle card formats:
Traditional Oracle Cards
- Card size: 2.74 × 4.72 inches (69.5 × 119.8 mm / 7 × 12 cm)
- Box size: 4.72 × 2.74 × 0.75 inches
- Pixels at 300 DPI: 822 × 1416 px
Tall Oracle Cards
- Card size: 3.5 × 5.7 inches (89 × 144.7 mm / 8.9 × 14.5 cm)
- Box size: 4.95 × 6.5 × 2.25 inches
- Pixels at 300 DPI: 1050 × 1710 px
Wide Oracle Cards
- Card size: 3.2 × 4.7 inches (81.3 × 119.4 mm / 8.1 × 11.9 cm)
- Box size: 4.25 × 5.5 × 0.75 inches
- Pixels at 300 DPI: 960 × 1410 px
Large Oracle Cards
- Card size: 3.5 × 5 inches (88.9 × 127 mm / 8.9 × 12.7 cm)
- Box size: 4.5 × 5.75 × 1.7 inches
- Pixels at 300 DPI: 1050 × 1500 px
Mini Oracle C
Magic: The Gathering (MTG) Card Dimensions
MTG cards use the same footprint as standard poker cards, which makes them compatible with the same card sleeves.
MTG card size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches
| Measurement | Value |
| Width × Height (inches) | 2.5 × 3.5 in |
| Width × Height (mm) | 63.5 × 88.9 mm |
| Width × Height (cm) | 6.35 × 8.89 cm |
| Width × Height (pixels at 300 DPI) | 750 × 1050 px |
| Corner radius | 3–4 mm (rounded) |
While the size matches poker cards, MTG cards have specific print bleed requirements and typically use a more rigid cardstock (black-core paper) to prevent light from showing through when held up.
European-Style Playing Card Dimensions
European playing cards — particularly those used in Germany, Italy, Spain, and France — are slightly different from the international poker standard.
European card size: 2.4 × 3.8 inches (61 × 97 mm)
These cards are marginally narrower and shorter than poker cards. The difference is subtle when looking at a single card, but becomes obvious when you try to combine European cards with an international deck for shuffling
Mini Playing Card Dimensions
Mini cards are popular for travel games, party favors, and promotional giveaways. Their compact size fits in pockets and small bags.
Standard mini card size: 1.75 × 2.5 inches
| Measurement | Value |
| Width × Height (inches) | 1.75 × 2.5 in |
| Width × Height (mm) | 44.4 × 63.5 mm |
| Width × Height (cm) | 4.4 × 6.35 cm |
| Width × Height (pixels at 300 DPI) | 525 × 750 px |
Mini card box dimensions: 2.82 × 1.87 × 0.69 inch
Kids’ Playing Card Dimensions
Children’s cards are typically made with slightly thicker stock and are often smaller than adult cards to suit smaller hands. Here are the most popular children’s card games and their dimensions:
Slap Jack
- Card size: 4 × 2.75 inches (101.6 × 69.85 mm)
- Box size: 9.25 × 8.1 × 0.6 inches
- Notes: Larger format allows for bold, clear illustrations that kids can see quickly during fast gameplay.
Old Maid
- Card size: 3.4 × 2.4 inches (86.4 × 61 mm)
- Box size: 3.9 × 3.0 × 0.3 inches
- Notes: A compact, easy-to-handle size ideal for young children.
Crazy 8s
- Card size: 2.5 × 3.5 inches (63.5 × 88.9 mm)
- Box size: 3.75 × 4.5 × 2.72 inches
- Notes: Uses the same poker card footprint, making it a good stepping stone to adult card games.
Traitors Abroad
- Card size: 2.26 × 3.5 inches (57.4 × 88.9 mm)
- Box size: 3.15 × 1.97 × 1.18 inches
- Notes: Slightly narrower than poker cards for easier handling by younger players.
Playing Card Dimensions in Pixels (for Designers)
If you’re designing cards for print or digital use, here are the pixel dimensions you need at the two most common resolutions:
| Card Type | 300 DPI (print) | 72 DPI (screen) |
| Poker (2.5 × 3.5 in) | 750 × 1050 px | 180 × 252 px |
| Bridge (2.25 × 3.5 in) | 675 × 1050 px | 162 × 252 px |
| Tarot (2.75 × 4.75 in) | 825 × 1425 px | 198 × 342 px |
| MTG (2.5 × 3.5 in) | 750 × 1050 px | 180 × 252 px |
| Mini (1.75 × 2.5 in) | 525 × 750 px | 126 × 180 px |
Important: Always design at 300 DPI minimum for print. Add a 3mm bleed on all sides (an extra 35px at 300 DPI per edge) so artwork isn’t cut off during die-cutting.
Standard Card Thickness and Paper Stock
Card thickness affects how a deck feels and shuffles. Here are the standard measurements:
| Measurement | Value |
| Single card thickness | 0.0078 in / 0.2 mm / 0.02 cm |
| Full 52-card deck height | 0.75 in / 19 mm / 1.9 cm |
| Full 54-card deck (with Jokers) | ~0.78 in / ~19.8 mm |
| Full 78-card tarot deck | ~1.1 in / ~28 mm |
Common Card Stock Types
Casino-grade cards typically use a two-ply layered paper with a black core that blocks light from showing through. The standard casino card weight is around 300–330 gsm.
Consumer poker cards use lighter stock, typically 270–300 gsm, which is still rigid enough for repeated shuffling.
Tarot and oracle cards vary widely, from 250 gsm for thin decks to 350 gsm for luxury editions.
Kids’ cards often use 350–400 gsm with a gloss laminate coating for durability.
Deck Box Dimensions: What Size Box Do You Need?
Choosing the correct box for your card deck prevents cards from sliding around (causing bent corners) and from being too tight (causing damage when removing them).
| Card Type | Recommended Box Size (inches) |
| Poker deck (52 cards) | 3.75 × 2.75 × 0.9 in |
| Poker deck (double) | 7 × 6 × 2 in |
| Bridge deck (52 cards) | 5.2 × 3.3 × 1.2 in |
| Standard tarot (78 cards) | 3.5 × 5.5 × 1.5 in |
| Mini cards | 2.82 × 1.87 × 0.69 in |
| Traditional oracle | 4.72 × 2.74 × 0.75 in |
Rule of thumb: Your box should be approximately 0.25 inches wider and taller than the cards, with depth equal to the stacked deck height plus 0.1–0.15 inches of clearance.
Custom Playing Card Sizes
Sometimes a standard size doesn’t fit your project. Custom card sizes are available from most specialty printers. Here’s what to keep in mind when going custom:
Minimum viable size: Cards smaller than 1.5 × 2 inches become difficult to handle and shuffle.
Maximum practical size: Cards larger than 4 × 6 inches are usually reserved for display purposes and don’t shuffle well in hand.
Aspect ratio: The most comfortable playing cards maintain an aspect ratio between 1:1.3 and 1:1.7 (width to height). Straying outside this range makes cards feel awkward in the hand.
Corner radius: Standard playing cards use a 3–4 mm corner radius. Keeping this standard ensures compatibility with card sleeves.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the standard playing card size?
The standard playing card size is 2.5 × 3.5 inches (63.5 × 88.9 mm), which is the poker card size. This is the most widely used format worldwide.
Are bridge cards and poker cards the same size?
No. Bridge cards are narrower: 2.25 × 3.5 inches versus poker’s 2.5 × 3.5 inches. They have the same height but are 0.25 inches thinner in width.
What size are tarot cards?
Standard tarot cards measure 2.75 × 4.75 inches (69.85 × 120.65 mm). They are noticeably larger than poker cards to accommodate detailed artwork.
How thick is a playing card?
A single playing card is approximately 0.0078 inches or 0.2 mm thick. A full 52-card deck stacks to about 0.75 inches (19 mm).
What size are Magic: The Gathering cards?
MTG cards are 2.5 × 3.5 inches — the same as standard poker cards — and fit in the same card sleeves.
What resolution should I design playing cards at?
Design at 300 DPI minimum for print quality. A poker card at 300 DPI is 750 × 1050 pixels. Always include a 3mm bleed on all four sides.
What size box fits a poker deck?
A single 52-card poker deck fits in a box of approximately 3.75 × 2.75 × 0.9 inches. A double-deck tuck box is typically 7 × 6 × 2 inches.
Can I order cards in a custom size?
Yes. Most specialty card printers offer custom dimensions. Keep your aspect ratio between 1:1.3 and 1:1.7, and maintain a 3–4 mm corner radius for best results.
Need help with custom playing card packaging? Getting the right box size is just as important as the card dimensions themselves — a well-fitted box protects your deck during shipping and gives customers a premium unboxing experience.
