Watch a movie from the 1980s, and you’ll notice that the size of many things—from cell phones to computers and even hairstyles—have changed. However, one item remains the same size: a credit card. While they haven’t remained exactly the same over the years—credit card designs and materials have changed— they’ve had the same shape and size for decades. Why? It turns out that it’s because there are specific rules for how high, wide, and thick credit cards can be.
Learn more about standard credit card size and why it matters.
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Standard Credit Card Dimensions
The standard size of a credit card is 85.6 mm wide (3.375 in) x 53.98 mm high (2.125 in). They all have rounded corners with a radius of 2.88 mm (0.113 in) to 3.38 mm (0.137 in) and a uniform thickness of 0.76 mm (0.029 in).
Why Do Credit Cards Have a Standard Size?
Credit cards are all the same size, so they work everywhere for payments. It doesn’t matter which credit card you have or where you are; a standard size means it will fit in payment terminals and ATMs. This means you can make purchases and withdraw cash while travelling with the same credit card you use at home.
Are All Credit Cards the Same Size Internationally?
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standardizes credit card sizes. These standards are used in the majority of countries for all credit and debit cards, regardless of which bank the cards are issued by. Standard credit card sizes are also used for government-issued ID cards, rewards cards, hotel key cards and public transportation pass cards.
What are Credit Cards Made of?
Most credit cards are made of plastic, specifically PVC (polyvinyl chloride). This water-resistant material is flexible and durable, making it ideal for withstanding the daily wear and tear credit cards endure.
In recent years, credit card companies have started issuing metal credit cards. These cards are usually made of titanium or stainless steel and typically come with premium perks and rewards, but they are the same standard size and thickness.
Credit Card Weight and Thickness
All credit cards must be 0.76mm (0.029 in) thick. The weight of a credit card depends on its material. Plastic credit cards generally weigh about five grams, while metal credit cards weigh between 13 and 18 grams.
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A credit score isn’t a static number and there are several factors that go into calculating it. The credit bureaus use their own proprietary algorithms and calculate their own credit scores. Equifax uses the Equifax Risk Score, while TransUnion uses the CreditVision Scoring Model. They are provided as guidelines to the issuer, which may take different factors into account, and approval is not guaranteed.
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Bottom Line
This is to say we should be thankful for a universal standard regarding credit cards and thickness because without it, we wouldn’t be able to trust that credit and debit cards would fit in ATMs or be swiped. At the same time, these standards may begin to change. With the ability to tap your card becoming more ubiquitous around the world and the elimination of mag strips on credit cards in general, credit card size won’t matter as much.
After all, we’re already starting to see credit card issuers orient their designs vertically instead of horizontally in acknowledgement of how people use their cards now—tapping at the terminal instead of swiping. If technology can force this change, perhaps technology may also dictate that a standard credit card size won’t matter as much as it once did in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the size ratio of a credit card?
The size of a standard credit card is 85.6 mm x 53.98 mm as per ISO 7810 ID-1 standards. All card sizes in the ID-1 category have a thickness of 0.76 mm and a corner radius of 2.88 mm.
How big is a Canadian credit card?
Canadian credit cards are 85.6 mm wide (3.37 in) x 53.98mm high (2.125 in). This is the international standard size for credit cards in most countries.
Are credit cards and debit cards the same size?
Credit cards and debit cards are the same size: 85.6 mm × 53.98 mm, or 3.370 in× 2.125 in. They both have rounded corners and a thickness of 0.76 mm (0.029 in).
Why do all credit cards have chips?
Credit cards have chips for added security. A chip generates a unique key for every transaction, making credit card fraud and theft more difficult.
What size is a credit card in centimeters?
The standard credit card size in cm is 8.56 in width x 5.398 in height, with a thickness of 0.076. The rounded corners have a radius of 2.88 cm.
