How Big is a Business Card? Understanding the Standard Business Card Size

How big should your business card be? Business cards are an important part of your marketing and they can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. What sizes are standard? And what size card should you use? Find out here.

Your business card is the face of your business. See it as a very specific, uncomplicated marketing tool that tells people immediately who you are, what your business does and how to get in contact with you. The best advice is to keep your business card the standard size so that it easily fits alongside other cards in business card holders, cases as well as in wallets.   

Standard Business Card Size 

If you’re wondering about business card dimensions, the typical business card is 3.5 x 2 inches. (That is 3.5 inches long, and 2 inches tall.)

When you design your card, the total area of the design is often slightly larger because it will include a bit of “bleed area”. This is a technical term used to describe the border around the edge of the card that certain backgrounds or design features can “bleed” into to ensure any design features cover the entire card when the final cut is made. The bleed should not include any important information that could possibly get cut off. This means that the printable area of a business card (which makes up the majority of the card space) is actually less than the final size of 3.5” by 2”.  

Size based on layout

Although there is a standard size of business card, the answer to “how big is a business card?” isn’t definitive. This is because not everyone goes with normal business card dimensions. Some prefer them to be larger, others like them smaller – and some like to use a standard business card size but flip the layout – so that it reads vertically.   

Your non-standard business card size will vary – often from printer to printer. Here are some of the business card sizes you may find on different business card layouts:

(Length listed first)

Traditional Business Card Size: 3.5 inches x 2 inches

Square Business Card Size: 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches, 2 inches x 2 inches, 3 inches x 3 inches

Vertical Business Card Size: 2 inches x 3.5 inches

Small Business Card Size: 3.5 inches x 1.5 inches (standard length but shorter), 2.75 inches x 1 inch

No matter the size of a business card that you choose, it is critical that you make your business card effective. If your card doesn’t have the right information or doesn’t help get people excited about your business, then it doesn’t do much good.

Here are some articles to help you make effective business cards for your business:

Avoid the 12 Most Common Business Card Mistakes

How to Design a Business Card – 9 Tips for a Professional Look