Credit/debit card

A standard credit or debit card measures 3.37 inches (85.60 mm) wide, 2.13 inches (53.98 mm) tall, and 0.03 inches (0.76 mm) thick. This size is defined by the ISO 7810 ID-1 standard and is used worldwide for bank cards, driver’s licenses in many countries, and various membership and gift cards. This page covers the exact dimensions, the ID-1 standard, and where this size shows up.

Dimensions

Aspect ratio

The ID-1 card has an aspect ratio of about 1.586:1, very close to the golden ratio of 1.618:1. This near-golden proportion is often cited as part of why the shape feels visually balanced, though the standard was set primarily for practical fit in wallets and card readers rather than aesthetics.

The ISO 7810 card size family

ID-1 is by far the most common of the three formats in everyday use. Its dimensions were chosen to be small enough to carry easily but large enough to hold a magnetic stripe, chip, and printed text legibly.

What uses this size

Beyond bank cards, the ID-1 format is used for SIM card packaging templates before the actual chip is punched out, many national ID cards, driver’s licenses in the US and much of Europe, hotel key cards, gift cards, loyalty cards, and European business cards. Card holders, wallets, and phone cases with card slots are all built around this exact size.

Card thickness standards

The ISO 7810 standard specifies a card thickness of 0.76 mm, though real-world cards vary slightly, typically between 0.70 and 0.84 mm depending on the material and any embedded chip. Cards with an EMV chip are sometimes marginally thicker at the chip location due to the embedded module.

Frequently asked questions

What are the exact dimensions of a credit card?

85.60 x 53.98 mm (3.37 x 2.13 inches), as defined by the ISO 7810 ID-1 standard.

Are all credit cards the same size?

Yes, essentially. Nearly all credit and debit cards worldwide follow the ISO 7810 ID-1 standard so they fit uniformly in card readers, ATMs, and wallets.

How thick is a standard credit card?

0.76 mm according to the ISO standard, though actual cards range from about 0.70 to 0.84 mm depending on manufacturing and chip design.

Is a driver’s license the same size as a credit card?

In the US and most of Europe, yes. Most driver’s licenses follow the same ID-1 format as credit cards.

What is the difference between ID-1 and ID-2 card sizes?

ID-1 (85.60 x 53.98 mm) is the credit card size. ID-2 (105 x 74 mm) is larger and used for some older ID cards and visa formats, though it is far less common today.

Related objects

• ID-1 card
• US business card
• European business card
• Passport