Business cards remain an important part of in-person networking, and creating one ready for print can be easy with the many digital tools available. But it’s just as easy to get wrong if you haven’t got the right measurements and sizes.
Our straightforward guide to business card dimensions helps you choose the right size of business card and explains how to set margins and print bleed to ensure your design is printed correctly.
Found your size and want to jump right in to designing a business card? The Piktochart AI business card generator gives you a choice of attractive designs in seconds.
What Size Is A Business Card?
Standard business card dimensions in the US are 3.5 inches wide by 2 inches tall (or 88.9mm x 50.8mm). But standard business card size varies depending on which part of the world you’re in, so here are the most common sizes for different regions.
| Business card sizes by region | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region | US size (in inches) | Metric size (in millimetres) | Size in Pixels (at 300 dpi) | Other info |
| USA, Canada | 3.5″ x 2″ | 88.9mm x 50.8mm | 1050 x 600 | Also referred to as credit card sized. |
| UK Standard | 3.35″ x 2.17″ | 85mm x 55mm | 1004 x 650 | Slightly narrower and longer than US size. |
| Mexico, South America | 3.54″ x 1.97″ | 90mm x 50mm | 1063 x 591 | |
| Japan | 3.58″ x 2.17″ | 91mm x 55mm | 1075 x 650 | |
| India, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea | 3.54″ x 2.17″ | 90mm x 55mm | 1063 x 591 | |
| China, Hong Kong, Singapore | 3.54″ x 2.12″ | 90mm x 54mm | 1063 x 638 | |
| Other sizes of business card | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shape or type | US size (in inches) | Metric size (in millimetres) | Size in Pixels (at 300 dpi) | Other info |
| Mini | 3.5″ x 1.25″ or smaller option of 1.125″ x 2.75″ | 88.9 x 31.75 | 1050 x 375 | |
| Standard Square | 2.5″ x 2.5″ or 2″ x 2″ | 63.5 x 63.5 or 50.8 x 50.8 | 750 x 750 or 600 x 600 | |
| Larger Square | 3″ x 3″ | 76.2 x 76.2 | 900 x 900 | |
| Credit Card Size | 3.37″ x 2.125″ | 85.6 x 53.98 | 1011 x 638 | Also 2.125″ x 3.375″ (EU Standard) |
| Circle | Typically 2.5″ x 2.5″. A larger option is 3″ x 3″ | 63.5 x 63.5 | 750 x 750 | |
| Slim | 1.5″ x 3.5″ | 38.1 x 88.9 | 450 x 1050 | Another slim option is 1.75″ x 3.5″. |
| Folded | 3.5″ x 4″ | 88.9 x 101.6 | 1050 x 1200 | Folds down to standard 2.5” x 3” vertically oriented card. |
| MOO Size | 3.3″ x 2.16″ | 83.82 x 54.9 | 990 x 648 | |
| Other Rectangle Sizes | 2″ x 3″ | 50.8 x 76.2 | 600 x 900 | |
| Rounded | 3.5″ x 2″ | 88.9 x 50.8 | 1050 x 600 | With quarter-inch rounded corners |
Business card dimensions in the USA and Canada
The standard size of business cards in the US and Canada is 3.5” x 2”. This size fits comfortably into a standard wallet, and is roughly comparable to a credit card or ID card size.
If you’re not sure which business card size to choose, this is probably the one to go for. It looks professional and is easy to find design templates for.
Business card dimensions in the UK and Europe
The standard business card size in the UK and Europe is slightly narrower and taller than the US standard. While there’s a difference, it’s only small and not immediately obvious at a glance.
Business card dimensions in Japan
Standard Japanese business cards are slightly larger than standard US. This can leave more room for your design if you want a visually striking card.
Exchanging business cards (meishi koukan) is central to Japanese business meetings. There are social etiquette rules about how to hand over and receive cards.
You may choose to have business cards printed with one side translated into Japanese. It’s customary to hand the card over with the Japanese language side facing up.
Mini business card dimensions
If you want your business card to stand out from the pack, there are more unusual sizes and shapes that are still widely printed, like this mini option.
The mini is the same width as the US standard size, while only three quarters as high. This card fits lengthways in a wallet, but has a more minimal feel.
Circle business card dimensions
Did you know that shapes influence our perception? In the psychology of shapes, circles imply flexibility, motion and movement, so if that suits your brand character, a circular card may be a good fit and help you stand out.
Keep in mind that because a circular design has no corners, it may be more challenging to fit in text and logos.
Standard square business card dimensions
A square business card is a contrast to more traditional rectangular designs. The equal sides have some design advantages for particular layouts. You might choose this size to echo a square logo design, for example.
However, designing a logo that fits perfectly within a square can be trickier than it seems. If you need a little inspiration or a head start, an AI logo generator can help you explore different square logo concepts quickly and easily.
Slim design business card dimensions
The slim design has the same business card dimensions as the mini (above), but with the text and graphics running at right angles to the long edge. That’s tall and thin instead of long and thin!
While it has the same dimensions as the mini, it’s a more unusual layout. Be aware that you may need to break longer text over two lines to fit, as in our example.
Rounded design business card dimensions
This occupies the same rectangular dimensions as the US standard size, but the corners are rounded off. So while it still aligns with traditional cards, the rounded shape is a nice twist.
One advantage of the rounded style is that you can use a standard US size template to design your card. Just bear in mind that the corners will be trimmed off during printing.
The key to a great design here is to think about how the rounded corners interact with your logo and other elements. Leave a bit of space around the edges to avoid a cramped or cut-off look. You can easily play around with layouts using the Piktochart AI business card generator to see what works.
FAQ About Business Cards & Dimensions
Why do business card sizes vary across regions?
Regional variation in business card size is mainly due to differences in measurement systems (metric vs. imperial) and wallet designs.
Some regions standardized business cards by converting an imperial measurement to metric and rounding up or down to a more easily memorable number.
But don’t worry, you aren’t going to cause offense by having the wrong size of business card! Even in Japan, where business card etiquette is strict, the size of the card is not as important as how it is presented and received.
How should I choose the shape and size of my business card?
Here are some key questions for choosing a business card template:
1. Where will you use business cards?
For a straightforward business meeting, a standard size is a no-brainer. Simple, professional, classic. But if you’re attending events with lots of businesses competing for attention, a more unusual size can help you stand out.
2. What is your brand identity?
A bold, disruptive brand might choose a die-cut business card design to differentiate, whereas a professional service business might stick to a traditional rectangular design.
3. Who is the target audience for your business cards?
For an audience of professionals, a standard business card size may be the best choice. To stand out to potential investors or clients, a more unusual design might work. If you’re travelling, you might choose business cards in the local standard size.
4. What information will you have on your business card?
Rectangular or square layouts have the most available text space. Think about your logo design – a rectangular logo may work best with a standard size card, for example. You can create a logo with Piktochart’s AI logo templates.
Do people still use physical business cards?
Yes, physical business cards remain a valuable tool for networking and professional interactions. Digital connections are increasingly popular, but a significant proportion of business people still use physical cards.
Handing over a physical card can generate a more meaningful interaction and showcase your brand. It can also be simpler to exchange cards than swap digital details across different devices.
And interest in business cards among younger generations appears to remain healthy; one UK survey found that nearly half of 16 – 34 year-olds intend to use a business card in future.
What is bleed and how much safety margin do I need?
Bleed area is extra space beyond the final area of a printed business card that gets cut off during printing. The card is initially printed slightly larger than required, then the bleed area is trimmed. This ensures your design goes right to the edge of the card with no gaps.
Bleed area issues are the most common problem professional printers see. But don’t worry, it’s straightforward to get bleed right with the correct information.
Your bleed area should include:
- The background color of the design
- A continuation of any design elements that extend to the edge of the card
Your bleed area should be around ⅛ inch (or 3mm) on each side. So a US standard size business card of 3.5″ x 2″ (88.9mm x 50.8mm) should have dimensions of 3.75” x 2.25” (95 x 57 mm) including bleed.
You can also avoid printing issues by keeping text and logos inside a ‘safe zone’ on your design. This is a ⅛ inch, 3mm area within the cut line that ensures any slight variations in cutting don’t impact your design.
