Choosing the correct business card size is crucial for professional appearance and practical use. This comprehensive guide covers standard dimensions across different countries and regions, helping you create cards that fit perfectly in wallets, cardholders, and business card scanners.
Standard Business Card Sizes by Region
| Region/Country | Dimensions (inches) | Dimensions (mm) | Aspect Ratio | Common Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3.5" × 2" | 89mm × 51mm | 1.75:1 | US Standard |
| Europe (ISO) | 3.35" × 2.17" | 85mm × 55mm | 1.55:1 | ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 |
| Japan | 3.58" × 2.17" | 91mm × 55mm | 1.65:1 | Japanese Standard |
| Australia/New Zealand | 3.54" × 2.17" | 90mm × 55mm | 1.64:1 | Oceania Standard |
| China | 3.54" × 2.13" | 90mm × 54mm | 1.67:1 | Chinese Standard |
| India | 3.5" × 2" | 89mm × 51mm | 1.75:1 | Same as US |
🌍 International Business Tip
If you do business internationally, consider using the European ISO standard (85mm × 55mm) as it's widely accepted across multiple regions and fits most international wallet standards.
Visual Size Comparison
US Standard
89mm × 51mm
Most common in North America
European ISO
3.35" × 2.17"
Credit card size standard
Japanese
3.58" × 2.17"
Slightly wider than ISO
Design Considerations for Different Sizes
Layout Adaptations
Different aspect ratios require adjustments to your design layout:
- US Format (1.75:1): More rectangular, allows for horizontal layouts with side-by-side information
- European Format (1.55:1): More square-like, better for centered designs and vertical layouts
- Japanese Format (1.65:1): Balanced proportion, works well for both horizontal and vertical elements
Text and Element Sizing
Adjust font sizes and element spacing based on the card dimensions:
| Format | Recommended Name Size | Title Size | Contact Info Size | Minimum Margins |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Standard | 14-18pt | 10-12pt | 8-10pt | 3mm (0.125") |
| European ISO | 12-16pt | 9-11pt | 7-9pt | 3mm |
| Japanese | 13-17pt | 9-12pt | 7-10pt | 3mm |
Bleed and Safe Areas
Understanding Bleed
Bleed is the extra area around your design that gets trimmed off during cutting. It ensures no white edges appear if cutting is slightly off:
- Standard Bleed: 3mm (0.125") on all sides
- Design Area: Your card size plus bleed area
- Safe Area: Keep important elements 3mm from the trim edge
Bleed Calculations
| Format | Finished Size | With Bleed | Safe Area |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Standard | 89mm × 51mm | 95mm × 57mm | 83mm × 45mm |
| European ISO | 85mm × 55mm | 91mm × 61mm | 79mm × 49mm |
| Japanese | 91mm × 55mm | 97mm × 61mm | 85mm × 49mm |
⚠️ Important
Always design with bleed and safe areas in mind. Text or logos placed too close to the edge may be cut off during printing, and backgrounds without proper bleed will show white edges.
Custom and Non-Standard Sizes
Creative Alternatives
While standard sizes ensure compatibility and cost-effectiveness, creative businesses sometimes opt for unique dimensions:
- Square Cards: 2.5" × 2.5" - Modern, Instagram-inspired
- Mini Cards: 2.75" × 1.25" - Compact, eco-friendly
- Oversized Cards: 4" × 2.5" - More space for information
- Folded Cards: 3.5" × 4" (folded to 3.5" × 2") - Double the space
- Die-Cut Shapes: Custom outlines matching your business
Considerations for Non-Standard Sizes
💡 Think Before You Customize
- Storage Issues: Unique sizes may not fit in standard wallets or cardholders
- Higher Costs: Custom sizes require special cutting and setup fees
- Scanner Compatibility: Business card scanners are calibrated for standard sizes
- Professional Expectations: Some industries expect traditional formats
Digital vs Print Considerations
Digital Business Cards
For digital sharing, consider these dimensions:
- Social Media: 1200 × 675 pixels (16:9 ratio) for best platform compatibility
- Email Signatures: 600 × 200 pixels for quick loading
- QR Codes: Link to digital versions of your standard-sized card
- Mobile Display: Ensure text remains readable on small screens
Print Resolution Requirements
For crisp printing results, use these specifications:
| Format | Pixels at 300 DPI | Pixels at 600 DPI | File Size (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Standard | 1050 × 600 | 2100 × 1200 | 2-5 MB |
| European ISO | 1004 × 650 | 2008 × 1300 | 2-6 MB |
| Japanese | 1075 × 650 | 2150 × 1300 | 3-6 MB |
Choosing the Right Size for Your Business
Industry Considerations
Different industries may have preferences for business card sizes:
- Legal/Finance: Stick to regional standards for conservative appearance
- Creative Industries: More flexibility for unique sizes and shapes
- Technology: Consider QR codes and digital integration
- International Business: ISO standard for global compatibility
- Retail/Service: Ensure cards fit in common promotional displays
Geographic Considerations
Choose based on where you primarily do business:
- Primarily US/Canada: Use US standard (3.5" × 2")
- Europe/Global: Use ISO standard (85mm × 55mm)
- Asia-Pacific: Check local preferences, often follow ISO or regional standards
- International Business: ISO standard offers best global compatibility
🎯 Best Practice Recommendation
For most businesses, we recommend starting with the standard size for your primary market. It ensures compatibility with wallets, cardholders, and business card scanners while keeping printing costs reasonable. You can always create custom sizes for special promotions or creative campaigns later.
Common Size-Related Mistakes
Design Errors to Avoid
- Designing without bleed: Results in white edges when cards are cut
- Ignoring safe areas: Important information gets trimmed off
- Wrong resolution: Blurry or pixelated printing results
- Inconsistent sizing: Cards don't stack properly or fit cardholders
- Forgetting international standards: Cards don't work in global markets
File Preparation Checklist
- Verify dimensions match your chosen standard
- Include proper bleed area (3mm/0.125")
- Keep important elements in safe area
- Set resolution to 300 DPI minimum
- Convert colors to CMYK for printing
- Outline fonts or embed them in the file
- Double-check measurements before sending to printer