Understanding the Sizing of Cards

One of the most frequently asked questions about card protection is, what size are my cards? Or, to put it another way, what is the right sized card protection for my card? Don't worry, The Pennysleever is here to demystify this important issue!

There are three important measurements you need in order to properly answer this question: the length, the width, and the thickness. Fortunately for most collectors, the first two questions are rather easily answered. The vast majority of collectible sports cards, as well as non-sports cards from major card manufacturers, are a standard 2 ½” x 3 ½”, and in fact have been so since 1957. However, for vintage sports cards, as well as other rarer sets, such as regional or food issue cards, it is important to measure the card to make sure you don’t use the wrong sized protection.

Pokémon and other popular TCG cards like One Piece and Magic: The Gathering are the same size, although are generally referred to using their metric measurements, 63.5 mm  x 88.9 mm. However, there are some smaller format cards such as Yu-Gi-Oh!, often referred to as Japanese cards, that are 59 mm x 66 mm.

But what about the third dimension, the card’s thickness? This is where things can get confusing, if you don’t know what to look for. Card manufacturers and hobby supply companies measure the thickness of cards not in inches or millimeters, but using a measurement called points. One point is equal to 0.001 inches, which allows for a very precise, if confusing, incremental system.

If you are a Pokémon enthusiast, you have nothing to worry about; your cards are of about 12 point thickness, and can fit into 35 pt supplies, which are sometimes referred to as “standard” sized. However, if you are a sports card collector, it is important to pay close attention to your card’s thickness. 

Base cards, and in fact the majority of collectible cards will fit comfortably into the same 35 point supplies that TCG cards will. However, there are outliers. Some chrome cards, particularly autograph cards, fall into the 55 pt range, while premium sets may have chunkier base cards, sometimes up to 100 pt. In addition, there are memorabilia (also called patch, relic, or jersey) cards that can extend the thickness to as much as 360 points.

Finally, while not strictly related to sizing, it is important to note that the vast majority of sports cards have rectangular edges, whereas TCG cards have a more standardized round edge. While this detail may seem trivial, it is important to remember to measure a card from the thickest point, to ensure that your card will be safely protected.