The right business card size depends on where you print and where you will hand the cards out. In India, most printers use 3.5 × 2 inches. Other countries use slightly different sizes. This page gives you exact sizes in millimetres, inches and pixels, and explains bleed, safe area and paper weight so your card prints cleanly the first time.
Standard business card size in India
There is no single legal standard for visiting cards in India. In practice:
- 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm) is the most common size at local printers and online print services.
- 90 × 54 mm and 90 × 55 mm are also offered by many printers.
The difference is only a millimetre or three, but it matters for cut lines and borders. Always ask your printer for their exact size and template before you design.
Business card sizes by country
| Region | Millimetres | Inches | Pixels at 300 dpi |
|---|---|---|---|
| India (most common) | 88.9 × 50.8 | 3.5 × 2 | 1050 × 600 |
| India (also common) | 90 × 54 | 3.54 × 2.13 | 1063 × 638 |
| United States and Canada | 88.9 × 50.8 | 3.5 × 2 | 1050 × 600 |
| Europe and the United Kingdom | 85 × 55 | 3.35 × 2.17 | 1004 × 650 |
| Japan | 91 × 55 | 3.58 × 2.17 | 1075 × 650 |
| China | 90 × 54 | 3.54 × 2.13 | 1063 × 638 |
| Australia and New Zealand | 90 × 55 | 3.54 × 2.17 | 1063 × 650 |
| Hong Kong and Singapore | 90 × 54 or 90 × 55 | about 3.54 × 2.15 | 1063 × 638 or 1063 × 650 |
| Scandinavia | 90 × 55 (85 × 55 also used) | 3.54 × 2.17 | 1063 × 650 |
| Credit card size (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1) | 85.6 × 53.98 | 3.37 × 2.13 | 1011 × 638 |
Pixel sizes are for the final trimmed card at 300 dots per inch, the usual print resolution. If you have clients in another country, it is polite to use their size, as cards that do not fit their card holders get noticed.
Bleed: why your design must be a little bigger
Printers print many cards on one big sheet and then cut them. The blade can shift slightly. If your background colour stops exactly at the edge, you may get a thin white line on one side. To avoid this, extend the background beyond the cut line. This extra area is called bleed.
- Metric printers usually ask for 2 to 3 mm of bleed on each side.
- Printers using inches usually ask for 0.125 inch (one eighth of an inch) on each side.
| Card size | Bleed on each side | Size with bleed | Pixels at 300 dpi with bleed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 × 2 in | 0.125 in | 3.75 × 2.25 in | 1125 × 675 |
| 90 × 54 mm | 3 mm | 96 × 60 mm | 1134 × 709 |
| 90 × 55 mm | 3 mm | 96 × 61 mm | 1134 × 720 |
| 85 × 55 mm | 3 mm | 91 × 61 mm | 1075 × 720 |
| 91 × 55 mm | 3 mm | 97 × 61 mm | 1146 × 720 |
Your printer's template is the final word. Some ask for 2 mm, some for 3 mm or more.
Safe area: where to keep text
Just as the blade can cut outside the line, it can also cut a little inside. So keep all text, logos and QR codes inside a safe area, at least 3 to 5 mm (about 0.125 to 0.2 inch) in from the trim line. On a 3.5 × 2 inch card, a safe area of about 3.25 × 1.75 inches is a sensible target.
Think of it as three boxes: the outer bleed box (background only), the trim line (the real card edge) and the inner safe box (everything important).
Paper weight and thickness
In India, card paper is measured in gsm (grams per square metre). Higher gsm usually means thicker, stiffer card.
| Paper weight | How it feels | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Below 250 gsm | Thin, bends easily | Not recommended for business cards |
| About 300 gsm | Standard, firm | Most small business cards |
| About 350 gsm | Thicker, feels better in the hand | Shops, professionals, services |
| 400 gsm and above | Premium, stiff | Designers, boutiques, luxury services |
Printers in the United States often describe thickness in points (pt), such as 14 pt or 16 pt, instead of gsm. Different papers of the same gsm can feel different, so ask for a sample. Finishes such as matte or gloss lamination add stiffness and protect the card from water and wear.
Other card sizes and shapes
- Square cards: often 2.5 × 2.5 inches (about 64 × 64 mm). They stand out but do not fit standard card holders.
- Vertical cards: the same size turned upright, such as 2 × 3.5 inches. Design in portrait.
- Folded cards: twice the height, folded to normal size. Useful for a menu or price list.
- Rounded corners: same size, softer look, and corners do not bend as easily.
Common size mistakes
- Designing at screen resolution. A card made at 72 dpi looks fine on a phone but prints blurry. Always set up the file at 300 dpi.
- Forgetting bleed. If the background stops at the trim line, a white edge may show after cutting.
- Thin borders close to the edge. A border 1 mm from the edge will look uneven after cutting. Either drop the border or keep it well inside the safe area.
- Mixing sizes. A design made for 85 × 55 mm will be stretched or cut if printed at 3.5 × 2 inches. Pick the printer first, then design.
- Odd sizes without checking. Square and extra large cards look different, but they cost more to cut and do not fit standard wallets and card holders.
Size for a digital business card
If you only share the card on phones, the exact print size does not matter, but keep the same shape so it looks familiar. An image of 1050 × 600 pixels is sharp on phones and small in file size. Our business card maker exports a ready PNG you can share or print.
Quick checklist before you print
- Confirm the exact card size with your printer.
- Set your design at 300 dpi with bleed added.
- Keep text inside the safe area.
- Use CMYK colours if the printer asks for it, as screen colours may print slightly duller.
- Export as a high quality PDF or PNG and check a printed proof.
For design and content tips, read our business card maker guide and business logo ideas.
Questions people ask
What is the standard business card size in India?
Most printers in India use 3.5 × 2 inches, which is 88.9 × 50.8 mm. Many also offer 90 × 54 mm or 90 × 55 mm. Ask your printer for their exact size and template before you design.
What is the business card size in pixels?
At 300 dpi, a 3.5 × 2 inch card is 1050 × 600 pixels without bleed, and 1125 × 675 pixels with 0.125 inch bleed on each side. A European 85 × 55 mm card is about 1004 × 650 pixels.
What is bleed on a business card?
Bleed is extra background that goes beyond the cut line, usually 2 to 3 mm or 0.125 inch on each side. It stops thin white lines from showing at the edges if the cutting blade moves slightly.
What gsm paper is best for business cards?
About 300 to 350 gsm suits most small business cards. Below 250 gsm feels flimsy, while 400 gsm and above feels premium and stiff. Ask your printer for samples, as papers of the same gsm can feel different.
Is a business card the same size as a credit card?
Close but not the same. A credit card is 85.6 × 53.98 mm under the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard, while the common Indian business card is 88.9 × 50.8 mm, a little longer and narrower.