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

  • 05Mar 2015

    Lovely designs but service is slipping and quality dropping when it used to be excellent. Feedback on their site is completely fake (they will only post positive reviews) Been using them for over a decade but my last order was disappointing: send them a perfect high-res image but the print was blurry and showed a blue-ish hue all over. They are reprinting, but it will be to late by the time they arrive.

    Coupons & Deals from Tinyprints
    Rating 3 Rating: 3 / 5
    by Veronica A
  • 27Dec 2014

    Vistaprint is best value for money, i've been using them for businesscards/flyers and stationary. They never let me down.

    Coupons & Deals from Vistaprint
    Rating 5 Rating: 5 / 5
    by Robert G
  • 24Nov 2013

    Fast and efficient service that delivers as promised. Highly recommended...

    Coupons & Deals from Tinyprints
    Rating 4 Rating: 4 / 5
    by Ian - UK
  • 05Jul 2014

    Im happy with the Vistaprint quality offered at a great price. We chose the slowest (and most affordable) shipping option, the invitations we ordered showed up in no time! Unfortunately i made a spelling mistake and didnt notice until the printed invitation cards arrived at our house. I contacted Vistaprint about it and they were kind enough to re-print them at no extra cost. Good service from Vistaprint!

    Coupons & Deals from Vistaprint
    Rating 5 Rating: 5 / 5
    by Olivier
  • 24Nov 2013

    Pretty good price / quality ratio.

    They offer you a full range of styles and colors. They will also notify you in case your text or image are inappropriate.

    Shipping was terribly slow. They need to work on that.

    Coupons & Deals from Overnightprints
    Rating 4 Rating: 4 / 5
    by Peter Hoffman
Web Analytics