# Playing Card Dimensions: Standard Sizes and Box Size Guide > Playing card dimensions explained: poker, bridge and tarot sizes in inches and mm, plus a calculator to size a box for your deck. Source: https://packheap.com/playing-card-dimensions/ Publisher: Pack Heap Type: post Last updated: 2026-10-18 Published: 2026-10-18 --- Playing card dimensions look simple until you need to print a deck or order a box for one. A card that is one-eighth of an inch too wide will not fit a standard tuck box. In addition, a deck that is slightly thicker than expected will bulge, scuff, or tear the flap. First, this guide lists all common playing card dimensions in inches and millimeters. It also explains card thickness, deck height, and the box styles that protect cards best. Finally, you can use the calculator below to size a custom box for any deck. **Quick answer:** A standard poker-size playing card measures 2.5 x 3.5 inches (63.5 x 88.9 mm). A bridge-size card measures 2.25 x 3.5 inches (57.2 x 88.9 mm). Both are the same height, so only the width changes. A 54-card deck is usually between 0.5 and 0.75 inches thick, depending on the card stock. ## Key Takeaways - Poker size is 2.5 x 3.5 inches, and it is also the most common size in the United States. - Bridge size is 2.25 x 3.5 inches, so it is a quarter inch narrower and easier to fan. - Card thickness usually falls between 0.24 and 0.34 mm, so the height of the deck changes. - A box should be slightly larger than the deck, so always add a small clearance on each side. - Tuck boxes suit retail decks, while rigid boxes suit premium, gift, and collector editions. ## What Are the Standard Playing Card Dimensions? The standard playing card dimensions are 2.5 x 3.5 inches for poker size and 2.25 x 3.5 inches for bridge size. In fact, these two formats cover almost every deck sold in the United States. However, makers do not follow one strict rule, so real cards can vary by a millimeter or two. According to [Wikipedia’s entry on the standard 52-card deck](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standard_52-card_deck), poker-size cards run about 88 to 92 mm tall and 59 to 64 mm wide. Meanwhile, bridge-size cards run about 87 to 89 mm tall and 56 to 58 mm wide. Therefore, always measure a sample before you approve a box. **Card size** | **Inches (W x H)** | **Millimeters (W x H)** | **Typical use** | Poker (standard) | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63.5 x 88.9 | Poker, blackjack, casino, and retail decks | Bridge | 2.25 x 3.5 | 57.2 x 88.9 | Bridge, rummy, and games with large hands | ISO B8 | 2.44 x 3.46 | 62 x 88 | Some plastic poker cards | Some plastic poker cards sit close to the [ISO 216 B8 paper size](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_216), which is 62 x 88 mm. As a result, they are a touch narrower than a paper poker card. ## Poker Size vs. Bridge Size: What Is the Difference? The only difference is width. Poker cards are 2.5 inches wide, while bridge cards are 2.25 inches wide. However, both formats share the same 3.5-inch height. That quarter inch matters in play. For example, bridge players hold 13 cards at once, so a narrower card is easier to fan. Poker players hold only a few cards, so a wider card feels sturdier and is easier to read. ### Which playing card size should you choose? - **Choose poker size** for casino games, magic, cardistry, promotional decks, and most retail products. - **Choose bridge size** for games with large hands and for players with smaller hands. In addition, think about the box. Because the playing card dimensions differ, a bridge deck needs a narrower box. If you sell both, order a separate dieline for each. ## Playing Card Dimensions Chart for Speciality Decks Speciality decks use different playing card dimensions because the artwork or the game needs more or less space. The chart below lists the formats that card printers offer most often. However, publishers set their own sizes, so treat these as common formats rather than fixed standards. **Card type** | **Inches (W x H)** | **Millimeters (W x H)** | **Typical use** | Mini | 1.75 x 2.5 | 44.5 x 63.5 | Travel decks and party favors | Domino | 1.75 x 3.5 | 44.5 x 88.9 | Narrow game cards | Trading card | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63.5 x 88.9 | Collectible and sports cards | Square | 3.5 x 3.5 | 88.9 x 88.9 | Board game and memory cards | Tarot | 2.75 x 4.75 | 69.9 x 120.7 | Tarot and oracle decks | Large | 3.5 x 5.75 | 88.9 x 146.1 | Large-print decks, stage magic, and flash cards | Trading cards share the poker footprint, so many sleeves and deck boxes fit both. Meanwhile, tarot cards are taller and wider, so they need a much larger box. Because of that, never reuse a poker dieline for a tarot or oracle deck. ## How Do You Measure a Playing Card Correctly? To check playing card dimensions, measure the short side for width and the long side for height. Then, measure the full stack for thickness. A steel ruler works, but a digital caliper is more accurate. Follow these steps for a reliable result. - First, lay one card flat on a hard surface. - Second, measure the width across the short edge. - Then, measure the height along the long edge. - After that, square up the whole deck, including jokers and extra cards. - Finally, measure the stack thickness without squeezing it. Record each figure in both inches and millimeters. ## How Thick Is a Playing Card and a Full Deck? A single playing card is usually 0.24 to 0.34 mm thick, which is about 0.009 to 0.013 inches. Wikipedia lists that range for poker-size cards. Thickness is the third of the playing card dimensions that matters for packaging. Therefore, a 54-card deck measures roughly 0.5 to 0.75 inches from top to bottom. The math is simple. First, multiply the card thickness by the number of cards. Then, divide by 25.4 to convert millimeters to inches. - 54 cards x 0.24 mm = 12.96 mm, or 0.51 inches - 54 cards x 0.30 mm = 16.20 mm, or 0.64 inches - 54 cards x 0.34 mm = 18.36 mm, or 0.72 inches Most decks contain 52 cards plus two jokers. However, many brands add one or two extra cards for ads or rules. As a result, your count may be 55 or 56, and each extra card adds height. ### How much does a deck weigh? Wikipedia reports that poker-size cards weigh about 1.4 to 2.78 grams each. So, a 54-card deck weighs roughly 76 to 150 grams, or about 2.7 to 5.3 ounces, before you add the box. ## How Do You Size a Box for a Playing Card Deck? To size a box, start with the playing card dimensions and add a small clearance to each side. Then, add the same clearance to the deck thickness. The result is the internal size of the box. We suggest a starting clearance of about 1/16 inch per dimension for a paperboard tuck box. That gap lets the deck slide in and out without rubbing, so the edges stay clean. However, cellophane wrap or card sleeves need more room, so measure the wrapped deck instead. ### Worked example Take a poker deck with 54 cards at 0.30 mm each. Therefore, the deck is 2.5 x 3.5 x 0.64 inches. After you add 1/16 inch to each dimension, the internal box size becomes about 2.56 x 3.56 x 0.70 inches. ### Playing card box size calculator Enter your card type, card count, and card thickness. Then, the calculator returns the deck thickness and a suggested internal box size. **Card type** Poker (2.5 x 3.5 in)Bridge (2.25 x 3.5 in)Mini (1.75 x 2.5 in)Domino (1.75 x 3.5 in)Square (3.5 x 3.5 in)Tarot (2.75 x 4.75 in)Large (3.5 x 5.75 in) **Number of cards** **Card thickness (mm)** **Clearance per dimension (inches)** Box makers measure sizes inside the box. Therefore, send the internal size and let your supplier adjust for board thickness. ## Which Playing Card Box Styles Work Best? Tuck boxes are the most common choice for playing cards because they are light, affordable, and easy to open. However, premium and gift decks often use sturdier styles. Overall, the right style depends on your price point and sales channel. ### Tuck boxes A tuck box folds from one sheet of paperboard and closes with a flap. It ships flat, so it saves storage space. For that reason, most retail decks use [custom tuck boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-tuck-boxes/) with a thumb notch on the front. ### Rigid boxes Rigid boxes use thick board wrapped in printed paper. They do not fold, so they protect corners very well. Consequently, [custom rigid boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-rigid-boxes/) suit collector decks, tarot sets, and two-deck gift editions. ### Sleeve and tray boxes A sleeve slides over a tray, like a matchbox. As a result, this style gives a slow, satisfying reveal. In addition, [paper sleeves and trays](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-paper-sleeves-and-trays/) leave room for a ribbon pull or a foam insert. ### Display and shipping boxes Retailers often want a counter unit that holds 6 or 12 decks. Therefore, pair your decks with [custom display boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-display-boxes/) that match the tuck box size exactly. Similarly, for online orders, [custom mailer boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-mailer-boxes/) keep decks from shifting in transit. Meanwhile, larger wholesale orders travel best in [corrugated cardboard boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-corrugated-cardboard-boxes/). ## What Materials and Finishes Suit a Playing Card Box? Paperboard is the standard material for a playing card box, while rigid board and kraft serve premium and eco-focused brands. In short, the material decides how the box feels, prints, and holds up to daily handling. - **Paperboard:** smooth, bright, and therefore ideal for sharp full-color printing. - **Kraft board:** natural brown stock with a rustic look. For example, [kraft boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-kraft-boxes/) suit eco-friendly and handmade brands. - **Rigid chipboard:** thick, dense board, so it suits luxury and collector packaging. - **Corrugated board:** fluted board, especially for shipping cartons and subscription kits. Finishes add both protection and appeal. For example, matte or gloss lamination guards against scuffs. Similarly, a soft-touch coating adds a velvet feel. Meanwhile, foil stamping, embossing, and spot UV make logos stand out. ## How Should You Prepare Artwork for Cards and Boxes? Prepare artwork with bleed, a safe zone, and rounded corners in mind. Otherwise, you risk white edges and clipped text. Most printers supply a template, so ask for one before you design. - **Bleed:** first, extend background art past the cut line, and then confirm the exact amount with your printer. - **Safe zone:** keep text and indices away from the edge, because cutting can shift slightly. - **Corners:** playing cards have rounded corners. However, no formal standard sets the radius, so match your printer’s die. - **Color:** build files in CMYK, and then request a printed proof for brand colors. - **Dieline:** finally, place box art on the supplier’s dieline, and keep barcodes off folds and glue flaps. Sizing packaging from the product outward works in every category. For instance, our [cereal box dimensions guide](https://packheap.com/how-tall-is-a-cereal-box-the-cereal-box-dimensions-guide/) and our [pizza box dimensions guide](https://packheap.com/pizza-box-dimensions-buying-guide/) follow the same method. ## What Sizing Mistakes Should You Avoid? The most common mistake is ordering a box from nominal playing card dimensions alone. Real decks differ, so small errors add up quickly. Avoid these problems before you approve a proof. - **Ignoring card count:** extra ad or rule cards make the deck thicker, so recount before you order. - **Skipping clearance:** a box with no gap scuffs card edges and eventually tears at the flap. - **Adding too much room:** a loose deck rattles, so corners bend in transit. - **Mixing units:** convert carefully between inches and millimeters, because small errors matter. - **Forgetting the wrap:** cellophane and sleeves increase every dimension, so measure the wrapped deck. ## Who Uses Custom Playing Card Boxes? Game publishers, casinos, and promotional brands order the most custom playing card boxes. However, the format works for any product that ships as a stack of cards. - **Game designers and publishers:** card games, expansions, and crowdfunded decks. - **Casinos and card rooms:** branded decks for tables and gift shops. - **Corporate and event brands:** logo decks for trade shows and holidays. In addition, these pair well with [custom gift boxes](https://packheap.com/product-category/custom-gift-boxes/). - **Tarot and oracle creators:** larger decks, often with a guidebook. - **Educators:** flash cards and learning games. - **Trading card sellers:** boosters, starter decks, and storage boxes. In short, once you know the playing card dimensions and the card count, you can box almost any deck. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What are the dimensions of a standard playing card? A standard poker-size playing card is 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall, or 63.5 x 88.9 mm. Meanwhile, bridge-size cards are 2.25 x 3.5 inches. ### Are all playing cards the same size? No. Poker and bridge are the two main sizes, but mini, tarot, square, and large decks all differ. In addition, brands can vary by a millimeter or two. ### What size is a box for a deck of cards? A tuck box for a 54-card poker deck is about 2.56 x 3.56 x 0.70 inches inside, based on 0.30 mm cards. However, the depth changes with card thickness and count. ### Are trading cards the same size as playing cards? Most trading cards measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches, which matches poker size. Therefore, many sleeves and deck boxes fit both types. ### How thick is a deck of 52 cards? A 52-card deck is roughly 0.49 to 0.70 inches thick, based on cards that are 0.24 to 0.34 mm each. In addition, two jokers add slightly more. ### What is the difference between jumbo index and large cards? Jumbo index cards are standard size with bigger numbers and suits. However, large cards are physically bigger, often around 3.5 x 5.75 inches. ### What is the best box for playing cards? A paperboard tuck box is best for retail decks because it is light and affordable. For premium or gift decks, choose a rigid box instead. ## Conclusion Playing card dimensions come down to two core sizes: poker at 2.5 x 3.5 inches and bridge at 2.25 x 3.5 inches. However, specialty decks add more formats, and card stock changes the height of every deck. Therefore, measure your real deck, add clearance, and then choose a box style that fits your brand. Ready to package your deck? Packheap makes custom printed boxes in any size, material, and finish. Send us your card size and card count, and then our team will build a box that fits. 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