Get business card size specs with a business card dimensions infographic, tips for the perfect visiting card size, and more!
Your next business card boils down to a single question: What type of business card do you want to make? It’s as simple—and as complicated—as that.
Sure, there are other things to consider. What would attract potential customers? Should you get a gloss finish or white borders? Think it all through—but start by picking a size.
Let’s look at the ins and outs of business card sizes, the different shapes, and even look at design tips.
What Size Is a Business Card?
The standard business card size in the U.S. and Canada is 3.5” x 2”, but they come in all kinds of other sizes and shapes.
Whatever dimension you choose, you’ll want your logo and any other relevant information to fit nicely on your card.
Below are the most common sizes:
| Card Type | Size (inches) | Size (millimeters) | Size (pixels; 300 PPI) |
| Standard | 3.5 x 2 | 89 x 51 | 1050 x 600 |
| Square | 2 x 2 | 51 x 51 | 600 x 600 |
| Rounded | 3.5 x 2 | 89 x 51 | 1050 x 600 |
| Folded | 3.5 x 4 | 89 x 102 | 1050 x 1200 |
| Slim | 1.5 x 3.5 | 38 x 89 | 450 x 1050 |
Business Card Size Types
Standard: 3.5″ x 2″
There’s nothing wrong with sticking to the OG business card size and style. In fact, if you work in a corporate job, offer professional services, or target a more traditional clientele, standard size might be best.
This standard credit-card sized business card easily fits in wallets, purses, and pockets. It’s the perfect pass-it-on-over or grab-it-and-go [professional] party favor.
Square: 2″ x 2″
Square business cards are an uber-popular option for creatives. A square shape offers a simple design that’s sleek and different. You can order square business cards on paper stock and add a design to both sides.
Rounded: 3.5″ x 2″
Humans are drawn to circles so, naturally, we’re drawn to business cards with rounded corners.
Notice that these aren’t any bigger or smaller than standard business cards. Their rounded corners simply replace the sharp edges, making for a modern design.
Folded: 3.5″ x 4″
You never want to overload a business card with information, but folded designs at least give you a bit more wiggle room. They’ll fold down into the common 2.5” x 3” card (vertically oriented).
Many businesses, such as dental practices, hair salons, and medical offices, use this structure to double as appointment cards. With all that extra space, you can get really creative with copy and design elements.
Slim: 1.5″ x 3.5″
Today’s business owners have a lot of freedom when designing effective business cards. If you’re a fan of a modern, sleek alternative to traditional cards, then a slim card design might be for you.
These are great to hand out and to use as packaging accents or tags. Since there’s less space, use your imagery and typography wisely.
Tips for Creating Your Perfect Business Card
If you’re ready to have a stack of standard business cards, then it’s time to create your design. Here are a couple of final sizing tips so that you can focus 100% on the design.
Call in the Assist from a Business Card Template
If this is your first time designing your own business card, why not start with a template? Create’s business card templates make sizing and design easy.
All you need to do is choose your favorite, and customize it to represent YOU.
- On the Create homepage, select the “business card” canvas.
- On the left-hand side, scroll to the business card you’d like to edit to make your own. Now, select the one you want to use.
- Use the left tools menu to customize your design. Swap any images and text with your own, change fonts, add your logo, alter colors, etc.
- Click the Pages icon on the bottom-right toolbar to add a page to your design.
- When you’re all done, click the Download button on the top toolbar to export your design for printing.
Account for Bleed Space When Printing
You’ll want to have your card professionally printed. Printers don’t print to the exact edge of a document. If you’re using a solid color or texture as your business card background, then it’s important to stretch that color into the bleed area.
Bleed is extra space added to your design so that when it’s cut, no white lines are around your edges (unless you want there to be). Bleeds add an extra ⅛” to your design.
You can toggle them on in Create. When you download your design, it will export with crop marks (as seen above). This way your print shop knows exactly where to cut.
Keep Your Design Elements Inside the “Safe Zone”
With the formation of the bleed area comes the formation of your “safe zone.” This is a common term when designing social media assets, and it applies the same here—keep those wonderful designs of yours in a place where they won’t be tampered with.
If your bleed line creates a ⅛” buffer around your design, then keep any design elements at least ⅛” inside the bleed line. This will maximize protection around the most important parts of your business card.
There you have it—useful design tips for standard business card sizes. Now, go make your next pocket marketing tool, and show the world what you’ve got.
Take Your Business Card to the Next Level with Shutterstock Flex
Need beautiful photography to make that business card pop? We’ve got you covered. With Shutterstock Flex, you’ll have all-in-one access to our massive library, plus the FLEXibility you need to select the perfect mix of assets every time.
Recently viewed
${excerpt}