Standard Business Card Dimensions

When discussing Business card sizes the first thing to note is: there is no set standard for business card dimensions.

Business card sizes in fact vary from country to country.

In most countries business card shapes and sizes also vary outside the standard range (from micro-business card at just 1 by 3 inches, to square and foldable business cards). As a designer you have freedom in choosing the shape and size you wish to use.

This resource will discuss the standard (most commonly used) sizes by country only.

Standard Sizes

In the USA and Canada standard business card size is 3.5 inches by 2 inches (88.9mm x 50.8mm).
Setup your US business card in Photoshop at 300 PPI the document size is 1050 pixels x 600 pixels.

For easier storage with banking cards the standard business card size in Europe is 85mm x 55mm.
3.346 x 2.165 inches) Size in Pixels at 300 PPI for EU cards = 1004 pixels x 650 pixels.

Standard business card sizes in EU and US
Standard business card size for USA and Europe.

Dimensions by Country & Standard

The table below lists the standard dimensions for business cards used by country.

Standard Size in Millimeters Size in Inches
ISO 7810 ID-1 W: 85.60 H: 53.98 W: 3.370 H: 2.125
ISO 216 - A8 sized W: 74 H: 52 W: 2.913 H: 2.047
Australia W:90 H:55 W: 3.543 H: 1.968
United States W: 88.9 H: 50.8 W: 3.5 H: 2
Canada W: 89 H: 51 W: 3.5 H: 2
China W: 90 H: 54 W: 3.543 H: 2.125
Czech Republic W: 90 H: 50 W: 3.543 H: 1.968
France W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
Germany W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
Hungary W: 90 H: 50 W: 3.543 H: 1.968
Italy W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
Netherlands W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
Japan W:91 H:55 W: 3.582 H: 2.165
Russia W: 90 H: 50 W: 3.543 H: 1.968
Scandinavia W: 90 H: 55 W: 3.54 H: 2.165
Slovakia W: 90 H: 50 W: 3.543 H: 1.968
Spain W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
Switzerland W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165
United Kingdom W: 85 H: 55 W: 3.346 H: 2.165

Aspect ratios range from 1.42 to 1.8.

Printing Guide for business cards

Quick Tip: Need great looking business cards? Check out our reviews of the best business card printing services.

When designing business cards, pick the correct dimension for the corresponding country from the table above and do not forget to add bleeds to your document.

A bleed refers to printing that goes beyond the edge of the sheet before trimming. In other words, the bleed is the area to be trimmed off.

To prevent white edges or parts of your being design cut off by the blade in the cutting process it is essential that you add bleeds on all 4 sides of your document before sending it to the printer.

Bleeds are typically an extra 3.175 mm (1/8 inch) to 6.35 mm (1/4 inch) to all sides of the card.

Typical Bleed size:

When creating your business card, always add a bleed on 4 sizes, and use a resolution of 300 ppi. The list below shows your document size including bleed:

For USA cards:

  • Total document size (incl. bleed): 3.75 x 2.25 inches (95.25 x 57.15 mm - 1/8 in bleeds)
  • Standard cut size: 3.5 inches by 2 inches (88.9mm x 50.8mm)

For European cards:

  • Total document size (incl bleed): 91 x 61 mm (3.58 x 2.40 inches)
  • Standard cut size: 85 x 55 mm (3.35 x 2.17 inches)

For a folded business card with bleed the document should be 3.75 inches x 4.25 inches - Generally these cards will fold to the standard size.

Paper Weight for Business Cards

Business cards are printed on heavy card stock, generally the rule is to use stock that is at least 350 g/m2 (density), 45 kg (100 lb - weight), or 12 pt in thickness.

The stock you choose may depend on various variables: the printing method, the desired visual effect, the available budget and other organizational norms or preferences.

We strongly advise to use stock that is at least 350 g/m2 or heavier for professional looking business cards.

About the Author

Pascal Smits Pascal Smits is an expert in graphic design, print quality accuracy, product analysis and production process. With a background in print process management and printer development, Pascal is an all round expert.


Related Posts

» Inspirational Business Card designs.
» NFC Business Cards 101 - Everything you need to know about NFC Business Cards.
» Reviews of the best business card printing services.

Best Deals

Vistaprint FREE Businesscards
36% OFF Brochures with Overnight Prints
10% OFF MOO Businesscards
48% OFF Business cards with Overnight Prints
50% OFF Anything at InkGarden
58% OFF Postcards with Overnight Prints
35% OFF Ongoing deals with Tiny Prints
45% OFF Sitewide from Snapfish
Cafepress Free Shipping above $45
12% OFF Site-wide from Printplace

Recent Customer Reviews

  • 17Oct 2014

    Nice company to work with. Im an actual customer of PS Print and they never failed me. Their pricing is much better compared to local print shops. Good quality products, quick turn arounds and very good support (if needed).

    I've worked with them on multiple projectsand always had good success. Just my heads up!

    Coupons & Deals from Psprint
    Rating 5 Rating: 5 / 5
    by Robert
  • 14Jul 2015

    Tiny Prints did not deliver my order by the delivery date, even though I paid for super rush delivery. The did not contact me to say anything was holding up my order. The auto message when you call even said they weren't experiencing delays and all orders were being sent on time. Two different Tiny Print reps aid I would get the order the following day. When I called again to question that, because it was the night before the new delivery date and they still hasn't printed yet, they admitted after some questioning that I would not receive the order the next day. I wasted hours creating the invitation on Tiny Prints and now need to start over with someone else because Tiny Prints has false advertising, poor customer service, and claim copyright issues for not sending me the file to go elsewhere.

    Coupons & Deals from Tinyprints
    Rating 1 Rating: 1 / 5
    by Heather
  • 04Mar 2015

    perfect experience with this company: user-friendly design software, reasonable prices and professional product. Got a coffee mug printed: it exceeded my expectations. Will use again!

    Coupons & Deals from Inkgarden
    Rating 5 Rating: 5 / 5
    by Matt, FL
  • 31Jul 2017

    Hello, I called customer service a few days ago with questions regarding the wedding cards I was attempting to order. A customer service representative by the name of Samara, not only navigated me through the site but informed me how to change colors, fonts, where to find offers, how and where to request the quick shipping (fasting shipping) and information on how to ask the designer for minor changes. She was extremely efficient, professional, knowledgeable, competent and friendly. Like I stated to her, I am extremely stress prone so to have such a pleasant experience and smoother process with ordering my wedding invites, that call truly made my week! I will be referring any and all contacts to order from this company, as she was just so helpful and resolved all my issues.

    Coupons & Deals from Tinyprints
    Rating 5 Rating: 5 / 5
    by Porche' Berry
  • 17Feb 2015

    Typical large company: it's impossible to speak to a human besides someone in a call-center who knows nothing about printing!! Result: crap useless business cards. Used vistaprint to save money: in the end it costed me money, time and aggravation.

    Coupons & Deals from Vistaprint
    Rating 2 Rating: 2 / 5
    by Jake R
Web Analytics