Business cards have been exchanged since the 17th century, but their dimensions remain surprisingly non-standardised. Here is a global overview.
European / International Standard
The most common international business card size is 85 × 55 mm (3.35 × 2.17 inches). This is close to the ISO 7810 ID-1 format (85.6 × 53.98 mm), which is also the size of a credit card. In Europe, Asia, and Latin America, this is the default.
United States and Canada
The North American standard is 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm). This is slightly wider and shorter than the European standard — which means European cards look "tall" to Americans and vice versa. In Japan, the standard is 91 × 55 mm, slightly longer than the European size.
Regional Variations
- Europe — 85 × 55 mm
- US / Canada — 88.9 × 50.8 mm
- Japan — 91 × 55 mm
- China — 90 × 54 mm
- Scandinavia — 90 × 55 mm
- Hungary — 90 × 50 mm
- Iran — 85 × 48 mm
- ISO 216 (business) — 74 × 52 mm (rare, folding cards)
Square and Mini Cards
Some designers use square cards (e.g., 55 × 55 mm) or mini cards (e.g., 70 × 40 mm) for a modern, memorable look. These don't fit standard business card holders, which is exactly the point — they stand out, but can be frustrating for recipients who use wallets or Rolodex files.
Folded Cards
A folded card, when closed, should match the standard card size. The unfolded dimensions are typically 85 × 110 mm for a European folded card, or 3.5 × 4 inches for a US folded card.
Standard Card Sizes for Digital Design
If you are designing a business card in Photoshop or Illustrator:
- Europe — 85 × 55 mm at 300 PPI = 1004 × 650 px
- US — 3.5 × 2 in at 300 PPI = 1050 × 600 px
- Japan — 91 × 55 mm at 300 PPI = 1075 × 650 px
Bleed and Margins
Always add 3 mm bleed on each side (or 0.125 in for US). Keep text at least 3 mm from the trim so nothing gets cut off. The safe area for critical text is usually 5 mm from the edge.
Paper Weight for Business Cards
Standard business cards are printed on 300–400 gsm card stock. Heavier cards (450 gsm+) feel luxurious. Matt lamination gives a smooth, premium feel; textured uncoated stock feels more traditional. Spot UV or foil stamping are common embellishments.
Our database lists every business card size with full mm, cm, inch, and pixel conversions.