Here’s Everything You Must Know About Playing Card Dimensions

Card games are still one of the most played games around the world. As cards have evolved from being simple to elegant with the passage of time, this is why brands are looking for ways to elevate the card boxes by adding different customizations. 

Knowing playing card dimensions is important to order the right-sized box to ensure that the cards remain safe during shipping. To avoid your cards from folding and creasing, choose custom dimensions and consider using durable sport boxes for shipping playing cards to provide extra protection during transit.

Read this blog to learn the different types of card games, their dimensions, and how you can customize these boxes. 

History of Playing Card Games

Playing card games can be traced back to the 9th century in China. Ever since that time the popularity of these games grew and people started throwing new card games in the market. Today, we can find card games between 1000 to 10,000 all across the globe. People love to play these games with friends and family, and many families have a tradition of gifting these on Christmas as well.

With the increasing number of manufacturers in the world, the competition to sustain customers has grown exponentially. This is where knowing the accurate size of cards and customizations comes into place. By using simple tactics to avoid damaged cards during transit and offering alluring designs you can win more customers. 

How Many Cards Are in a Deck?

Whenever the conversation about playing card dimensions and the card types pops up, there comes another question; the number of cards. Adult card games have on average 52 cards in a deck. However, games like Tarot have 78 cards in a deck. Kids cards are generally 52 as well, with the exception of a few. 

Standard Dimensions of Various Card Games

Every card game has a unique look and size that gives them a distinction. Knowing the dimensions of your cards can help you in getting accurate boxes to avoid damage during transit. Here are a few adult card games played around the world with their standard dimensions in inches, millimeters, and centimeters: 

Poker Cards

Poker cards are one of the most famous cards and every seller has a different variation to offer. Some cards are vintage while others are known as novelty cards. The standard size for these cards is 2.5 x 3.5 inches with the box dimensions of 7 x 6 x 2 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 2.5 x 3.5 inches / 63.5 x 88.9 mm / 6.3 x 8.8 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 7 x 6 x 2 inches / 177.8 x 152.4 x 50.8 mm / 17.78 x 15.24 x 5.08 cm

Tarot Cards

The dimensions for tarot cards vary as per the seller. However, the standard and average size of these cards is around 2.75 x 4.75 inches. The dimensions of the box in which these cards are packed are 3.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches. 

• Thickness of Card: 2.75 x 4.75 inches / 69.85 x 120 mm / 6.9 x 12 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 3.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches / 88.9 x 139.7 x 38.1 mm / 8.89 x 13.97 x 3.81 cm

Bridge Cards

If you are using bridge cards that have the same dimensions as the standard ones; 3.49 x 2.24 inches, you must pack the cards in a 5.2 L x 3.3 x 1.2 inches box.

• Thickness of Card: 3.49 x 2.24 inches / 88.8 x 57mm / 8.8 x 5.7cm
• Thickness of Box: 5.2 x 3.3 x 1.2 inches / 132.08 x 83.82 x 30.4 mm / 13.2 x 8.38 x 3.0 cm

Oracle Cards

The Oracle playing card dimensions vary as per the type of cards in the market. Every brand has some variation of the cards in terms of graphics and dimensions. There are different types of cards but the 5 common types are: 

Traditional

The traditional cards or the standard ones have 2.7 x 4.7 inches dimensions. The dimensions of traditional Oracle cards are 4.72 x 2.74 x 0.75 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 2.7 x 4.7 inches / 70 x 120 mm / 7 x 12 cm
• Thickness of Box: 4.72 x 2.74 x 0.75 inches / 119.8 x 69.5 x 19.05 mm / 11.9 x 6.9 x 1.9 cm

Tall

The tall cards have dimensions around 3.5 x 5.7 inches. The box dimensions for tall Oracle cards are 4.95 x 6.5 x 2.25 inches to ensure they remain safe. 

• Thickness of Card: 3.5 x 5.7 inches / 89 x 146 mm / 8.9 x 14.6 cm
• Thickness of Box: 4.95 x 6.5 x 2.25 inches / 125.73 x 165 x 57.15 mm / 12.5 x 16.5 x 5.7 cm

Wide

The size for wide Oracle cards is 3.2 x 4.7 inches for a better graphics view. The box dimensions for wide cards are 4.25 x 5.5 x 0.75 inches 

• Thickness of Card: 3.2 x 4.7 inches / 85 x 120 mm / 8.5 x 12 cm
• Thickness of Box: 4.25 x 5.5 x 0.75 inches / 107.9 x 139.7 x 19.05 mm / 10.7 x 13.9 x 1.9 cm

Large

Generally, the Oracle cards with large sizes have the dimensions of 3.5 x 5 inches. To ensure the safety of the cards during transit consider the box dimensions in 4.5 x 5.75 x 1.7 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 3.5 x 5 inches / 89 x 127 mm / 8.9 x 12.7 cm
• Thickness of Box: 4.5 x 5.75 x 1.7 inches / 114.3 x 146 x 43.1 mm / 11.4 x 14.6 x 4.31 cm

Mini 

You can get your cards in mini size which is around 2.4 x 3.4 inches. The box dimensions for mini Oracle cards are 3 x 4.2 x 0.89 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 2.4 x 3.4 inches / 63 x 88 mm / 6.3 x 8.8 cm
• Thickness of Box: 3 x 4.2 x 0.89 inches / 76.2 x 106.6 x 22.6 mm / 7.62 x 10.6 x 2.26 cm

Custom size 

If the sizes mentioned above are not the ones you want for your cards, you can get custom playing card dimensions. Always keep the box size slightly bigger than the deck to ensure the cards remain safe during transit. 

Mini Cards

Different brands offer mini-card games for easy traveling as they are pocket-friendly. The standard playing card size is 2.63 x 1.85 inches. The box dimensions for mini cards are 2.82 x 1.87 x 0.69 inches. 

• Thickness of Card: 2.63 x 1.85 inches / 67 x 47 mm / 6.7 x 4.7 cm
• Thickness of Box: 2.82 x 1.87 x 0.69 inches / 71.7 x 47.7 x 16 mm / 7.17 x 4.77 x 1.6 cm

Kid’s Playing Card Dimensions

There are different kids’ card games with each having a different size. Normally, kids’ cards are smaller than the ones adults use for easy handling. However, you can get custom dimensions as per your brand’s needs. Here are a few famous names of kids’ cards and their standard dimensions in inches, millimeters, and centimeters: 

Traitors Abroad

The Traitors Abroad game is a famous kid’s game played across the world. The playing card dimensions of this game are 2.26 x 3.5 inches, which makes it easier for kids to handle the deck. The standard size of the box these cards come in is around 3.15 x 1.97 x 1.18 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 2.26 x 3.5 inches / 57.5 x 89 mm / 5.75 x 8.9 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 3.15 x 1.97 x 1.18 inches / 80 x 50 x 30 mm / 8 x 5 x 3 cm 

Slap Jack

Slap Jack cards have funky colors to attract the kids. The standard playing card size is 4 x 2.75 inches. You can place an order to get these cards in different dimensions as well. The card box dimensions for Slap Jack are 9.25 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 4 x 2.75 inches / 101.6 x 69. 85 mm / 10 x 6.9 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 9.25 x 8.1 x 0.6 inches / 234.9 x 205.7 x 15.24 mm / 23.4 x 20.5 x 1.5 cm 

Old Maid

Most card games for kids usually have less than 5 inches in length because the deck can get too hard for kids to handle. Old Maid is one such game with the dimensions of 3.4 x 2.4 inches. To keep the cards safe during transportation the standard playing card dimensions for the box is 3.9 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches.

• Thickness of Card: 3.4 x 2.4 inches / 86.36 x 60.9 mm / 8.6 x 6 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 3.9 x 3.0 x 0.3 inches / 99.06 x 76.2 x 7.62 mm / 9.9 x 7.6 x 0.76 cm 

Crazy 8s

Crazy 8s is another famous kid’s card game with dimensions of 2.5 x 3.5 inches. To keep the cards safe during shipping and shelving the box dimensions for this card game are 3.75 x 4.5 x 2.72 inches. Get the cards and the box size customized to retain customers. 

• Thickness of Card: 2.5 x 3.5 inches / 63.5 x 88.9 mm / 6.35 x 8.89 cm
• Thickness of Box: 3.75 x 4.5 x 2.72 inches / 95.25 x 114.3 x 69 mm / 9.5 x 11.4 x 6.4 cm 

Standard Thickness of Cards

The standard thickness of a card is around 0.0078 inches which makes it easy to stack all 52 cards or more without any damage. You can get custom thicknesses as per your brand’s needs for a distinctive look. However, it is important to remember that choosing more thickness eventually means having a sturdy card box. Usually, the standard thickness of a card game box is around 0.75 inches. 

• Thickness of Card: 0.0078 inches / 0.22 mm / 0.022 cm 
• Thickness of Box: 0.75 inches / 19.05 mm / 1.9 cm 

Get Customized Playing Cards to Enhance Visual Appeal

Customization allows a brand to attract customers and stand apart from the competition in the market. There are different sellers in the market with a new variation of the same game and they rely heavily on customization. You can customize your cards from OXO Packaging in different manners such as having beautiful designs, funky colors, and adding beautiful finishes. 

Designs

Deciding the designs may seem hard but it’s not that daunting. All that you need is a bit of expert help to get your ideas on paper and voila! For adult cards, the designs are more simplistic yet elegant. However, with kid cards, you can play on the fun side to add animated characters and cute designs. 

Colors

Choose the colors for your cards wisely. For kid's card games, you can use light and bright colors such as shades of pastels or a tint of neon colors. However, when choosing the colors for adult cards you can go for dark and muted colors. Oracle and Tarot cards usually have dark shades to give a somber look. 

Finishes

Adding finishes to your cards and the boxes is a great way to keep the customers hooked. You can use gloss finish to give a beautiful shine to certain graphics on the card such as the moon. Similarly, adding matte finish to give a more subdued look to the Tarot cards can really enhance the overall look.

Choose Accurate Box Size for Your Playing Cards

There you have the playing card measurements of a few card games played around the world. You can choose these standard sizes or go for customization as per your brand’s needs. OXO Packaging is here to offer you support every step of the way. Contact us today to get a free personalized quote for your custom packaging needs.