What Size Is a Standard Plastic Card?
A standard plastic card measures 86mm x 54mm (3.375" x 2.125"), with a thickness of 0.76mm. That is the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 format — the universal spec used for credit cards, debit cards, loyalty cards, membership cards, and most printed plastic cards worldwide.
If you are ordering plastic cards and wondering what size to go for, this is almost certainly the size you need. We print cards at this size from just 25 cards, so you can get a quote for your own cards, often within minutes.
The numbers at a glance
- Width: 86mm (3.375")
- Height: 54mm (2.125")
- Thickness: 0.76mm (0.030")
Free CR80 artwork templates
Set your card up on one of our free templates. The PDF, Photoshop and SVG files are 92 x 60mm: the 86 x 54mm card plus 3mm of bleed on every side, with the trim line and a 3mm safe area marked. Run your background to the outer edge, keep wording and logos inside the blue line, then hide or delete the template lines before you save.
The SVG opens in Illustrator, Inkscape, Affinity Designer and Figma, with the guides on their own layer. Canva works at the card’s own size, 86 x 54mm, and adds the bleed itself, so the Canva guide marks only the safe area: upload it, stretch it over your design, and delete it before you download. Our Canva guide has the steps, and the artwork setup guide covers bleed, resolution and colour. Templates for key tags, event passes, combo cards and hot foil cards are on our artwork guides page.
Why is this the standard?
The ID-1 format is defined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and has been the global standard since the 1980s. It was designed to fit wallets, card slots, and card readers — and because every card manufacturer in the world uses it, your cards will work in lanyards, cardholders, display stands, and readers without any guesswork.
Do all plastic cards use this size?
Most do — but not all. Here are the common exceptions:
Key fobs / keytags — much smaller, designed to attach to a keyring. Not wallet-format.
Loyalty sticker cards — sometimes printed slightly smaller to sit inside a booklet or leaflet.
RFID / NFC cards — same physical dimensions as ID-1, but with a chip or antenna embedded inside.
Wristbands / NFC tags — different form factors entirely.
If you have been asked to supply "standard plastic cards" for any purpose — loyalty, membership, gift, hotel key, staff ID — ID-1 (86 x 54mm) is what is expected. If you want cards that look like a bank card as well as matching its size, see credit card style plastic cards.
Questions & Answers
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What about artwork? Is the size the same?
No — and this catches people out. Your print-ready artwork file needs to be set up slightly larger than the finished card, to account for bleed. The standard setup for a plastic card artwork file is:
- 92mm x 60mm — this gives you 3mm bleed on all sides
- Keep text and logos at least 3mm inside the trim line (the safe zone)
If you submit artwork at exactly 86 x 54mm with no bleed, you will likely see white edges on the finished cards. Always build in bleed.
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Is 86 x 54mm the same as a credit card size?
Yes. A standard credit card, debit card, and virtually every plastic card you carry in your wallet is 86mm x 54mm x 0.76mm.
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Can I order plastic cards in a different size?
Non-standard sizes are possible but come at additional cost and longer lead times. For nearly all applications, ID-1 is the right choice.
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What format should I supply my artwork in?
PDF or AI file, set up at 92mm x 60mm (includes 3mm bleed all round), with text and logos kept 3mm inside the trim.
Ready to order?
At CP Cards, we print standard 86 x 54mm plastic cards manufactured in England, with free delivery within Great Britain. Full colour, any design, from small runs upwards.
View our plastic card printing options or get in touch with your requirements.