The paper business card is not dead. Even in ecommerce, it remains a valuable tool—whether you tuck them into your shipments or hand one to a potential partner over coffee. A business card conveys professionalism and is a simple way to share your contact information.
Since a business card gives the recipient a first impression of your brand, you must ensure it reflects your brand identity and personality. One of the first decisions in the design process is choosing the right business card dimensions—the shape and size of the card itself.
Here’s a guide to standard business card sizes, when to use each, and how to choose the best one for your business.
What is a business card?
A business card is a printed or digital card featuring your name, job title, company name, and contact details—often accompanied by a logo or design. Business cards come in various materials, sizes, and shapes to reflect your style or brand. You can create business cards for you as an individual, with your job title and contact info, or for a brand, with your ecommerce website and social media handles, for instance.
Business cards are an efficient way to share relevant information with professional contacts or customers during networking or sales opportunities, like in-person meetings, events, or casual encounters with potential customers or partners.
Common business card dimensions
A standard business card size is a reliable choice and most templates support it, but there are also many different sizes you can use to make a lasting impression. Here are the standard dimensions of most business cards, as well as other sizes you might find at a print shop:
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US standard. In the US, the standard business card size is 3.5 inches by 2 inches, designed to fit nicely in wallets.
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International standards. Other countries have their standard business card sizes with slight variations in dimensions. For example, the UK’s is narrower at 3.35 inches by 2.17 inches, while in Japan, the standard is slightly larger, at 3.58 inches by 2.17 inches.
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Credit card. At 3.37 inches by 2.125 inches, standard credit card dimensions closely resemble the UK’s business card standard—and it fits inside any wallet beside a regular credit card.
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Mini. For a unique look, elongated mini cards keep the length of a standard business card but cut—or even halve—the height, typically between 3.5 inches by 1.25 inches to as small as 2.75 inches by 1.1 inches.
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Square. Square business cards make a bold statement, typically coming in either 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches, or 3 inches by 3 inches. They’re not suitable for wallets since they don’t fit snugly in credit card pockets.
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Circle. Circle business cards, also typically 2.5 inches by 2.5 inches or 3 inches by 3 inches, create a fun, outside-the-box feel and can work especially well for companies with a circular logo or round products.
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Die cut. Many printers offer die-cut business cards—custom-shaped cards cut precisely using special blades—so you can choose your own dimensions or create a custom shape. Whether you go with rounded corner business cards or intricate paper cut-outs, the possibilities are endless.
Business card design considerations
- Traditional vs. attention-grabbing
- Wallet-sized vs. custom
- Big picture vs. details
- Home printing vs. professional
- Brand identity
Your printed business card may be small, but with all the art, text, and size choices, designing one can quickly feel overwhelming. Here’s what to consider when choosing the right business card dimensions for your brand:
Traditional vs. attention-grabbing
Traditional shapes and sizes are straightforward and reserve space for printed design and important text. A standard size is a safe choice for a traditional, professional-looking business card, which might be the right choice for luxury brands or businesses with high-quality, reliable craftsmanship. They’re also the cheapest to print and easy to design with free templates.
If you want to turn heads, nonstandard dimensions make a memorable impression and can turn any business card exchange into a brand awareness opportunity. Slight variations in size or shape can set your card apart, while custom business cards with different shapes grab attention—though they do come with a higher cost and require a design program.
For example, a cupcake shop might go for a subtle touch, like rounded corners and soft-touch printing—a special finish that gives the surface a smooth, velvety texture—to create a warm, inviting feel. A late-night delivery service could choose a half-circle card with a gloss finish to mimic the moon.
Wallet-sized vs. custom
Standard-sized business cards fit easily into wallets or cardholders, while custom shapes and sizes may not. If you plan to carry cards in your wallet for easy distribution or want recipients to keep them for easy reference, stick with something closer to standard-size business cards, typically between 3.5 inches by 2 inches, and credit card size, usually 3.37 inches by 2.125 inches. Pair this size with a heavyweight cardstock or plastic and your card will feel like a credit card.
However, while custom shapes like circles or squares may not fit in a wallet, they can still serve as memorable keepsakes. For instance, a coaster size and shape could encourage recipients to display your card on their desk. You could also try folded business cards that offer a larger finished card size but fold down to wallet size.
Big picture vs. details
The final size of your business card isn’t just a design element—it also determines how much information you can include. If you require a lot of information—like your logo, business name, social handles, contact info, and QR code—it’s best to go with a common size, or a larger rectangular size, for extra space.
If, on the other hand, you just need to get your company name and website across, a smaller size or a custom shape could work well. For some brands, a unique shape and showy design elements say more than text ever could. Consider also a business card with no space for text and instead a QR code that directs recipients to a landing page with all the details they need.
Home printing vs. professional
If you’re not familiar with design software, creating files for printed designs can be tricky—doubly so if you’re going with a nonstandard size or shape. A print shop or professional printer can walk you through their available sizes and shapes, and assist with other design considerations.
For instance, they can make sure your printed designs extend into the bleed area—the area extending beyond the trim—to avoid white lines or a white border around the edges. They can also provide paper options if you want a premium feel, heavier weight, or finished edges.
On the other hand, printing business cards at home is a more budget-friendly option—especially if you’re handing them out like candy. You can use standard card stock and cut them to your preferred dimensions. Or, for a no-cut option, you can buy perforated business card paper that lets you print on a full sheet and easily tear the cards apart (though this will limit you to standard sizes).
Brand identity
A business card is a first impression: Your design choices reflect your brand’s personality and identity. Evaluate how you want the recipient to feel and experience your brand, and let these ideas inform your design elements.
For example, if you’re handing out cards at a trade show or selling traditional products like office supplies, standard dimensions may appeal to a conventional audience and more easily fit into wallets. On the other hand, if you’re displaying cards on a showroom table or positioning your brand as an innovative startup, a nonstandard size could stand out, grab attention, and better reflect your mission.
With a free business card maker, you can experiment with a range of styles to find the right one for your business.
Business card dimensions FAQ
What is the standard size for a business card in the US?
The standard business card size in the US is 3.5 inches by 2 inches, which fits in most wallets.
How should I choose the shape and size of my business card?
Your business card’s shape and size depend on your target customer and the brand experience you hope to provide. For a custom wedding ring ecommerce store, a heavy paper stock card can communicate professionalism and reliability, while a bold snowboard brand might go for die-cut cards shaped like snowboards for a memorable touch.
Do people still use physical business cards?
Yes, both professionals and companies still use business cards, even with the prevalence of new digital contact-sharing options. A 2024 study found that 23% of the adults surveyed had given out a business card in their lives and that almost half of the young respondents said that they would use a business card in the future.