Business card (US) Size in mm & Inches

The standard US business card is 3.5 x 2 inches, or 88.9 x 50.8 mm. That size has held since Rolodex files and leather card wallets set the mould decades ago, and every card slot, scanner, and cardholder sold in North America still assumes it.

This guide covers the exact business card dimensions, how the US size differs from the European and Japanese standards, how a card compares to a bank card and other things in your pocket, and the print details (bleed, safe area, stock weight) that decide whether a design actually comes out right.

Quick Answer: How Big Is a Standard Business Card?

A standard US business card is 88.9 x 50.8 mm (3.5 x 2 in). On typical card stock it is about 0.3 – 0.35 mm thick and weighs roughly 1.5 grams. The European standard is 85 x 55 mm and the Japanese standard is 91 x 55 mm.

Business Card Dimensions at a Glance

• US size: 88.9 x 50.8 mm / 8.89 x 5.08 cm / 3.5 x 2.0 in
• With print bleed: 92 x 54 mm (3.63 x 2.13 in), trimmed down to final size
• Safe area (keep text inside): about 82 x 44 mm
• Thickness: 0.3 – 0.35 mm on 300 – 400 gsm stock; thicker for premium cards
• Weight: roughly 1.5 g per card on 350 gsm
• Aspect ratio: 1.75:1

What Does a Business Card Look Like in Size?

A US business card is a touch wider than a credit card and slightly shorter. Held in your hand it covers about the same area as your palm minus the fingers. Stacked, roughly 3 cards equal the thickness of one credit card, and a box of 100 cards is about the size of a deck and a half of playing cards.

6 Everyday Comparisons for a Business Card

1. A credit card (85.6 x 53.98 mm) is 3.3 mm shorter and 3.2 mm taller. Lay one on the other and they nearly match, which is deliberate: a business card should fit a card wallet.
2. A European business card (85 x 55 mm) is noticeably narrower and taller than the US card.
3. A playing card (63.5 x 88.9 mm) has the exact same 88.9 mm on one side; rotate it and the long edges line up.
4. An index card (76 x 127 mm, 3 x 5 in) is much bigger, roughly two business cards laid end to end on the short side.
5. A US dollar bill (156 x 66.3 mm) is about 1.75 business cards long and a bit wider.
6. An iPhone 15 (147.6 x 71.6 mm) is about 1.66 business cards tall.

Business Card Size in Different Units

How Much Does a Business Card Weigh?

A single card on common 350 gsm stock weighs about 1.5 grams. Weight scales with the paper:

A box of 500 standard cards weighs roughly 750 g, about the same as a full 750 ml wine bottle without the glass.

US vs Europe vs Japan: Why Business Cards Differ

The sizes track the storage habits that were common when each market standardised:

• US 88.9 x 50.8 mm matched Rolodex cards and early card wallets.
• Europe 85 x 55 mm was chosen to sit alongside bank cards in the same holder, so it is close to ISO 7810 ID-1.
• Japan 91 x 55 mm (meishi) is slightly larger, reflecting the formal role the card plays in introductions and the dedicated cases people carry.

A design built for one market will be trimmed or leave uneven margins in another, which is why print shops ask which regional size you want.

Common Mistakes When Setting Up a Business Card

1. Designing to the final size with no bleed. Any background colour must extend to 92 x 54 mm or you risk white slivers after trimming.
2. Putting text too close to the edge. Keep important content inside the 82 x 44 mm safe area.
3. Confusing US and European sizes. 3.5 x 2 in is not 85 x 55 mm. They are different shapes.
4. Using screen pixels as the spec. A card is defined in millimetres or inches; pixels only matter once you fix the DPI (300 for print).
5. Assuming thicker is always better. Very heavy stock will not fit some slot wallets and card scanners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the standard business card size?

In the US and Canada, 3.5 x 2 inches (88.9 x 50.8 mm). In most of Europe, 85 x 55 mm.

How big is a business card in cm?

The US card is 8.89 x 5.08 cm.

Is a business card the same size as a credit card?

Almost. A US business card is 3.3 mm longer and 3.2 mm narrower than a credit card. The European business card is closer to credit-card size.

What size should a business card be with bleed?

92 x 54 mm (3.63 x 2.13 in), which trims down to the final 88.9 x 50.8 mm.

How thick is a business card?

About 0.3 – 0.35 mm on standard stock, thicker for premium cards.

How much does a business card weigh?

Roughly 1.5 g on 350 gsm stock.

What is the Japanese business card size?

91 x 55 mm, slightly larger than both the US and European cards.

Why is the US business card 3.5 x 2 inches?

It matched the Rolodex cards and card wallets that were standard when the size was adopted.

Final Takeaway

A standard US business card is 88.9 x 50.8 mm (3.5 x 2 in), about 0.35 mm thick, and weighs around 1.5 grams. It is close to but not the same as a credit card, and clearly different from the European 85 x 55 mm and Japanese 91 x 55 mm standards, so always design to the regional size your printer expects.