CR80 vs CR79: What Is the Difference and Which Size Do You Actually Need?

If you have landed here, you have almost certainly hit a spec sheet, a card printer manual, or a supplier form asking whether you want CR80 or CR79 — and you are not sure what to say.

The short answer: CR80 is the standard credit card size most people need. CR79 is slightly smaller and exists for one specific purpose — slotting inside card holders that are designed to hold it flush.

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What is CR80?
CR80 is the ISO 7810 ID-1 standard for plastic cards. It is the size of every bank card, debit card, and loyalty card you have ever carried in your wallet.

CR80 dimensions: 85.6mm x 54mm (3.375" x 2.125"), 0.76mm thick.

This is the default. When anyone says "standard plastic card," they mean CR80. It fits in wallets, card sleeves, card printers, and card readers designed around the global ISO standard.

If you need loyalty cards, membership cards, gift cards, hotel key cards, staff ID cards, or promotional cards — you want CR80.

What is CR79?
CR79 is fractionally smaller than CR80 — by about 1mm on each dimension.

CR79 dimensions: 84mm x 52mm (3.303" x 2.051"), 0.76mm thick.

That might sound trivial. It is not trivial in one situation: when the card needs to sit recessed inside a clamshell or badge holder that was engineered specifically for CR79. In that context, a CR80 will not seat properly — it will be slightly too wide and too tall, causing it to sit proud or not click in at all.

Outside of that use case, CR79 cards are uncommon.

CR80 vs CR79: the key differences

- CR80 width: 85.6mm | CR79 width: 84mm
- CR80 height: 54mm | CR79 height: 52mm
- Both: 0.76mm thick
- CR80 is the ISO ID-1 standard | CR79 is not
- CR80 fits standard wallets | CR79 fits with minor slack
- CR80 fits all standard card printers | CR79 requires checking the manufacturer spec
- CR79 is used for specific badge holders | CR80 is used for everything else

Which one do you need?
Order CR80 unless you have a specific reason not to.

The only legitimate reason to order CR79 is if you are inserting cards into a badge holder or clamshell that is explicitly sized for CR79. If that is you, your holder documentation will say so.

For every other application — loyalty schemes, membership cards, hotel keys, access cards, staff IDs, gift cards — CR80 is the correct choice, full stop.

Can you print CR79 cards?
Most desktop card printers are calibrated for CR80. Some will handle CR79 with minor adjustment; others will not feed them cleanly. If you are printing in bulk, check your printer's spec sheet before ordering CR79 stock.

At CP Cards, we manufacture to CR80 as standard. If you need CR79 for a badge holder application, contact us and we will confirm compatibility before you commit.

What size is a standard plastic card?
The standard plastic card size is CR80, measuring 85.6mm x 54mm. This is the ISO 7810 ID-1 standard and the same size as a bank or credit card.

Will a CR79 card fit in a standard wallet?
Yes, a CR79 card will sit in a standard wallet, though it will have a small amount of slack. It will not cause problems, but it is worth noting if presentation matters.

Ready to order?
CP Cards manufactures high-quality plastic cards in England, to CR80 as standard. Fast turnaround, full-colour printing, low minimum orders.

View our plastic card range or get in touch to discuss your requirements.