Key takeaways
- Poker size: 2.5 x 3.5 in (63.5 x 88.9 mm), the most common.
- Bridge size: 2.25 x 3.5 in (57 x 89 mm).
- Tarot cards: about 2.75 x 4.75 in (70 x 120 mm).
- Most decks use 300 to 310 GSM card stock with rounded 1/8 in corners.
- A 54-card deck is roughly 0.6 to 0.7 in thick.
What are the dimensions of a standard playing card?
The standard playing card, known as poker size, measures 2.5 inches wide by 3.5 inches tall, or 63.5 x 88.9 mm. It is the size used in casinos for poker and blackjack, in most retail decks and in many board and card games. The other common size is bridge size, which is the same height but a quarter-inch narrower.
Playing card size chart
Common card formats and their dimensions:
| Card size | Inches | Millimetres | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poker (standard) | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63.5 x 88.9 | Poker, blackjack, most decks |
| Bridge | 2.25 x 3.5 | 57 x 89 | Bridge, rummy, games with big hands |
| Tarot | 2.75 x 4.75 | 70 x 120 | Tarot and oracle decks |
| Mini | 1.65 x 2.5 | 42 x 63.5 | Travel decks, game components |
| Square | 2.5 x 2.5 | 63.5 x 63.5 | Game components, promo cards |
| Jumbo | 3.5 x 5 | 89 x 127 | Display, kids, low vision |
| TCG (Magic, Pokemon) | 2.48 x 3.46 | 63 x 88 | Trading card games |
| Small TCG (Yu-Gi-Oh!) | 2.32 x 3.39 | 59 x 86 | Trading card games |
Poker size vs bridge size
Both are 3.5 inches tall. Poker cards are 2.5 inches wide; bridge cards are 2.25 inches wide. The narrower bridge card is easier to fan and hold when you have 13 or more cards in your hand, which is why it is preferred for bridge and some rummy games. Poker cards are wider and easier to read on the table and to flip over, which suits casino games.
How thick is a playing card and a deck?
Most quality playing cards are printed on 300 to 310 GSM card stock, roughly 11 to 12 points (0.011 to 0.012 inches) thick, often with a linen or smooth finish to help them slide. A full deck of 52 cards plus two jokers is typically around 0.6 to 0.7 inches thick, depending on the stock and finish. This is the measurement that decides the depth of a tuck box.
Corners and print specifications
Standard playing cards have rounded corners with a radius of about 1/8 inch (3 mm). If you are designing your own deck, leave a 1/8 inch (3 mm) bleed around the artwork, keep important text at least 1/8 inch inside the trim, use CMYK colour and provide images at 300 DPI or more.
How playing card sizes became standard
Card sizes varied widely until the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, when large printers settled on poker and bridge formats. Standardisation made it easier to print sheets efficiently and to produce accessories such as shufflers, dealing shoes, sleeves and card boxes that fit every deck. Regional formats still exist, such as German Skat cards and Japanese Hanafuda cards.
Card sleeves and boxes
Sleeves for poker-size cards are usually about 66 x 91 mm. A tuck box for a poker deck has inside dimensions just above 2.5 x 3.5 inches, with depth matched to the deck thickness. Two-deck and collector boxes are sized from the same numbers.
Custom playing card boxes
We make tuck boxes, two-piece rigid boxes and display cases sized to poker, bridge, tarot and custom card sizes, with foil, embossing and printed interiors. Send us your card size and count and we will produce a free dieline.
Choosing a card size for your own game
If you are designing a card game, poker size is the safest choice: printers stock it, sleeves are easy to find and players are familiar with it. Bridge size suits games where players hold many cards at once. Tarot size gives more room for artwork and text, which helps for story and oracle decks. Mini cards work as tokens or reference cards inside a larger game.
Card count and box depth
When you design a box, count every card including jokers, rules cards and advertising cards. A deck of 54 cards at 0.3 mm per card is about 16 mm thick; add a millimetre or two for easy removal. Tarot decks of 78 cards need roughly 30 to 35 mm. If you plan to sell sleeved decks, measure a sleeved deck because sleeves can nearly double the thickness.
Frequently asked questions
What is the size of a standard deck of cards?
Each card is 2.5 x 3.5 inches; a full deck is about 2.5 x 3.5 x 0.6 to 0.7 inches.
Are poker cards bigger than bridge cards?
Poker cards are wider (2.5 in vs 2.25 in) but the same height.
What size are tarot cards?
Usually about 2.75 x 4.75 inches, though sizes vary by publisher.
What size are Magic and Pokemon cards?
About 63 x 88 mm, almost the same as poker size.
What size sleeves fit standard playing cards?
About 66 x 91 mm for poker-size cards.
How thick is a deck of 54 cards?
About 15 to 18 mm, depending on the stock.