Credit Card Sizes – What Are the Dimensions

January 20, 2023January 20, 2023 by Egle Goleckyte

Credit cards have become a popular form of payment all over the world. According to a study by the Credit Card Association of America, there are more than 1.5 billion credit cards in use worldwide. That number is growing every day as more and more people turn to plastic for their everyday purchases. There are many reasons for this trend. Credit cards offer convenience, safety, and flexibility when it comes to spending (skip straight to the credit card sizes chart).

With a credit card, you don’t have to carry around cash or worry about losing your wallet. You can also use your credit card to make online purchases without having to worry about the security of your personal information. In addition, credit cards offer rewards and perks that can save you money on everything from travel to groceries. With so many benefits, it’s no wonder that the use of credit cards is on the rise.

Credit Card Sizes - What Are the Dimensions size-charts.com — _{Image Source: Encyclopedia Brittanica}

And this growth is also the reason for the importance of understanding the sizing of credit cards. So what is the importance of understanding the nitty-gritty details around credit card sizes? Actually, it’s not many people that give that much thought to credit card sizes. But while the average person may not give much thought to the size of a credit card, there is actually a great deal of importance in understanding credit card sizes.

For one thing, credit cards come in different sizes depending on the issuer. For example, Visa and Mastercard are standard sizes, while American Express cards are slightly larger. This can be important to know when trying to use your card at an ATM or other machines that take credit cards. In addition, different card sizes can also offer different benefits.

For example, a larger card may offer more reward points than a smaller card. As such, it is important to be aware of the different credit card sizes in order to make the most of your credit card use.

Let’s find out more about credit card sizes!

Jump right into the Frequently Asked Questions

Credit card size charts

CREDIT CARD SIZE	WIDTH	HEIGHT	THICKNESS	CORNER RADIUS
Inch	3.37 Inch	2.125 Inch	0.0625 Inch	0.125 Inch
Centimeter (cm)	8.56 cm	5.39 cm	0.159 cm	0.318 cm
Millimeter (mm)	85.6 mm	53.98 mm	1.588 mm	3.18 mm
Pixels (72 DPI)	242.64 px	225 px	4.5 px	9 px
Pixels (300 DPI)	1011 px	637.5 px	18.75 px	37.5 px

Learn more about credit card sizes and more (video)

_{The Most Underrated Credit Card 2023 by John Liang}

Frequently Asked Questions

Are all credit cards the same size?

Most people are familiar with the standard credit card size, which is about 2-1/8 inches by 3-3/8 inches. However, there is actually quite a bit of variation in credit card sizes. Some cards, such as those from American Express, are slightly taller and narrower, while others, like Discover cards, are shorter and wider.

There are also a few companies that make “mini” credit cards, which are about 1-3/8 inches by 2-1/4 inches. In general, though, most credit cards fit comfortably into a wallet or purse without taking up too much space. So whether you have a small card or a large one, you can rest assured that it will fit nicely into your pocket or purse.

There are a number of reasons why standard credit card sizes do not exist. First, credit cards are produced by many different companies, each of which has its own size guidelines. Additionally, new technology has led to the introduction of mini credit cards and other non-standard sizes.

Finally, the size of a credit card may vary depending on the country in which it is used. For example, Japanese credit cards are typically much smaller than those used in the United States. As a result, there is no standard size for credit cards. However, most credit cards are roughly the same width as a standard index card.

Is a credit card 3 inches?

Most credit cards are 3.370 inches long by 2.125 inches wide, or about the size of a driver’s license. That said, there is some variation in credit card size, with some issuers offering cards that are slightly longer or shorter than the standard 3.370 inches.

In addition, many issuers now offer “jumbo” credit cards that are significantly larger than a standard credit card. These oversized cards can be helpful for those who have difficulty keeping track of their smaller cards, but they can also be a bit unwieldy to carry around in a wallet or purse.

Ultimately, the best credit card for you is the one that fits your needs and lifestyle. If you’re looking for a credit card that’s easy to carry with you, stick with a standard-sized card. If you’re willing to trade portability for convenience, though, a jumbo card may be the way to go.

The important thing is to find a card that fits your needs and lifestyle. Standard-sized cards generally have the same features and benefits as their larger counterparts. So don’t let the size of a credit card deter you from finding the right one for you.

What is the standard size of an ATM card?

The standard size of an ATM card is 85.60 mm × 53.98 mm (3.370 in × 2.125 in). The round corners have a radius of 2.88–3.48 mm. The card has embossed account numbers, expiration dates, and the cardholder’s name. There is also a magnetic stripe on the back of the card which can be read by ATM machines. The stripe contains the account number and other data that is needed for the transaction. When the card is inserted into the ATM, the machine reads the data on the stripe and processes the transaction accordingly.

The magnetic stripe is about 0.76 inches wide and can store up to 79 characters of data. The data encoded on the stripe includes the account number, PIN, and expiry date. When a card is inserted into an ATM, the machine reads the data on the stripe and uses it to verify the account holder’s identity and access their account.

The first ATM cards were issued in the 1960s in the United States, and they were initially used only at machines that dispensed cash. Today, however, ATM cards are used all over the world to access banking services. Most ATM cards are standard size, meaning they fit into wallets and purses like any other type of card.

However, there are some variations in size depending on the issuer. With advances in technology, it’s likely that ATM cards will continue to evolve and become even more convenient in the future.

Why are credit cards the size they are?

There’s actually a very practical reason for it. That’s because those dimensions fit perfectly into standard wallets and follow the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard for identification cards. In other words, credit card issuers have to follow certain guidelines in order to ensure that their cards can be used by everyone. The ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard is an international standard for identification cards, detailing the physical characteristics of the cards as well as the data format.

The standard defines three card sizes-ID-1, ID-2, and ID-3-and prescribes their dimensions and tolerances. It also specifies the material composition of the cards, as well as the method used to encode data on the card. In addition, the standard includes requirements for card durability and mechanical strength.

The aim of the ISO/IEC 7810 standard is to ensure that identification cards can be reliably read by machines and to provide a consistent basis for interoperability between different systems. The standard is widely used in both national ID programs and in other applications such as banking, transportation, and healthcare.

Is an ATM card and the credit card the same?

No, an ATM card is not the same as a credit card size. At first glance, it may seem like there is no reason why ATM cards and credit cards should be different sizes. After all, they are both made of plastic and have essentially the same function. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that there are a few key reasons for the difference in size.

For one thing, credit cards are generally used for making purchases, while ATM cards are primarily used for withdrawing cash. As a result, credit cards need to be small enough to fit comfortably in a wallet, while ATM cards need to be large enough to be easily inserted into and removed from an ATM machine.

In addition, credit cards typically have a magnetic stripe on the back, which is used for storing data. This stripe makes the card slightly thicker than an ATM card, which does not need to store data in the same way. Ultimately, the size difference between ATM cards and credit cards reflects the different functions that they serve.

How much does the credit card weigh?

The standard modern credit card weighs around 5 grams. In comparison, a U.S. quarter weighs 5.67 grams, a U.S. dime weighs 2.268 grams, and a U.S. penny weighs 2.500 grams. Therefore, a credit card weighs about the same as two dimes and a penny.

Interestingly, the weight of a credit card has remained relatively constant over the years, even as the size and features of credit cards have changed dramatically. For example, early credit cards were made of paper and weighed just 2 or 3 grams.

Today’s credit cards are made of plastic and typically contain a magnetic stripe or chip for storing data. Despite these advances, the weight of a credit card has increased only marginally, due in part to the use of thinner materials. As a result, the average credit card today is only slightly heavier than its paper predecessors.

What is king size credit card?

A king-size credit card is a credit card that has a credit limit of $10,000 or more. This type of credit card is typically reserved for people with excellent credit scores, who are able to qualify for the lowest interest rates and the most favorable terms. While a king-size credit card can be a great financial tool, it is important to use it wisely.

If you carry a balance on your king-size credit card, you may be charged high-interest rates, which can quickly eat into your available credit limit. Additionally, if you miss payments or default on your king-size credit card, you may damage your credit score, making it difficult to qualify for future loans and lines of credit.

Conclusion

Credit cards have been around for over 50 years, and their use has grown exponentially in that time. The first credit card was introduced in 1950 by Diner’s Club, and it could only be used at select restaurants. In 1958, American Express launched the first charge card, which could be used for any type of purchase.

In 1966, Bank of America introduced the first modern credit card, which could be used anywhere. Today, there are hundreds of different credit cards available, and they are used by millions of people around the world. Credit cards have become an essential part of many people’s lives, and their history is fascinating.

As credit cards become more and more important, the size of the credit card becomes more important as well. After all, a credit card is only as useful as it is convenient to carry around. A bulky or awkward-shaped credit card can be a major hassle, while a sleek and slim card can easily slip into a wallet or purse. Credit card companies have responded to this by offering cards in a variety of sizes, from standard to mini to micro.

Some even offer cards that can be attached to a key ring! Again, the key is to find the size that works best for you and your lifestyle. A smaller credit card may be perfect for someone who doesn’t carry a lot of cash or other cards, while a larger one may be better for someone who needs more space for rewards programs or other information. No matter what size you choose, make sure it’s one that you’ll be happy with for years to come.

Got any questions? Please ask in the comments and we’ll certainly be glad to assist.

Picture in this post is by Avery Evans on Unsplash