Dimensions or size of an MTG Card Magic: the Gathering

What are the dimensions or size of an MTG card? Magic: The Gathering cards are standard trading card size, which is approximately 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches, or 63.5 mm by 88.9 mm. This is the same size as most other collectible card game cards and many sports trading cards such as most baseball cards.

Magic card dimensions haven’t changed much since the game’s inception, though some non-tournament-legal cards and oversized cards have been printed for various purposes, they are simply special case collector’s items and not standard Magic cards to be played. Even though Wizards of the Coast has changed the card stock over the years, the size of a Magic card remains the same on new cards as it did back in Alpha.

What other popular card games are standard size like Magic?

Many popular card games use the standard size (2.5″ x 3.5″ or 63.5mm x 88.9mm), like Magic: The Gathering. Here are some examples:

1. Pokémon Trading Card Game: Pokémon cards are the same size as Magic cards.
2. Yu-Gi-Oh!: The English-language version of this card game uses standard-size cards, while the original Japanese version of Yu-Gi-Oh! uses a slightly smaller size.
3. Hearthstone: Even though Hearthstone is primarily digital cards in an online game, physical promotional and collectible cards have been made that follow the standard size.
4. KeyForge: This unique deck game, where every deck is one-of-a-kind, uses standard-sized cards. KeyForge was recently purchased by Ghost Galaxy.
5. Cardfight!! Vanguard: Cardfight! Vanguard is another popular trading card game that uses the standard size.
6. Dragon Ball Super Card Game: Based on the popular anime, the cards in this game are also standard, the size of MTG cards.
7. Final Fantasy Trading Card Game: This game, inspired by the popular video game series, uses standard-sized cards.

What popular card games use different-sized cards, and what are those sizes?

Some popular card games use non-standard card sizes. Here are a few examples:

1. Yu-Gi-Oh! (Japanese version): The original Japanese version of the Yu-Gi-Oh! card game uses slightly smaller cards than the standard size. The dimensions are 59mm x 86mm.
2. Dixit: Dixit cards are larger than the standard trading card size to better showcase the game’s unique, detailed artwork. These cards measure approximately 3.5″ x 4.7″ (88mm x 120mm).
3. Tarot Cards: Tarot decks, which are used for both games and divination, come in a variety of sizes. The standard size is 2.75″ x 4.75″ (70mm x 121mm), but many decks use larger cards.
4. Ticket to Ride: This popular board game uses smaller cards, approximately 1.9685″ x 1.1811″ (50mm x 30mm).
5. Munchkin: This card game uses what’s often referred to as “American board game” size cards, approximately 2.25″ x 3.5″ (57mm x 89mm).
6. Settlers of Catan: This ultra-popular board game also uses the “American board game” size cards, approximately 2.25″ x 3.5″ (57mm x 89mm).

What size sleeves would you purchase for standard sized trading cards?

When purchasing card sleeves for standard-sized trading cards (like Magic: The Gathering, Pokemon, or the English version of Yu-Gi-Oh!), you’d typically look for sleeves that are designed for cards measuring 2.5″ x 3.5″ or 63.5mm x 88.9mm.

However, it’s usually a good idea to get sleeves that are slightly larger than the card to ensure a good fit and easy insertion. Most manufacturers of card sleeves take this into account, so when you’re purchasing sleeves specifically marketed for standard-sized trading cards, they should be an appropriate fit. These are typically top loader sleeves, but may also be side load.

For example, Ultra PRO, a popular manufacturer of card sleeves, makes standard card sleeves that are 66mm x 91mm. This gives a bit of a margin to easily insert and remove the card without damaging it.

What is the size difference between perfect-fit sleeves and regular card sleeves for standard trading card games?

“Perfect fit” sleeves and regular card sleeves are designed for different purposes and hence have a slight size difference.

1. Perfect Fit Sleeves: Also known as inner sleeves, are a type of card sleeves designed to provide a tight fit around a standard-sized trading card. They are made to be just slightly larger than a standard card, providing protection while minimizing any extra space. A typical perfect-fit sleeve might measure 64mm x 89mm, allowing regular MTG cards or other standard-sized cards (63.5mm x 88.9mm) to fit inside comfortably.
2. Regular Card Sleeves: These are slightly larger than perfect-fit sleeves to allow for easy insertion and removal of the card, especially if the card is already in a perfect-fit sleeve. They often have a bit of extra space around the edges of the card to facilitate this. A typical regular card sleeve for a Magic card size trading card might measure 66mm x 91mm or 67mm x 92mm.

This two-sleeve system, often called “double sleeving,” provides additional protection against spills, dirt, and other potential damage. The perfect-fit sleeve seals the whole card, while the regular sleeve provides an extra layer of protection and makes the cards easier to handle and shuffle. Double sleeving is common in decks that will go through hard shuffling or competitive play.

What size sleeves would you purchase for other popular trading card games that aren’t standard size?

For non-standard size trading card games, the size of the sleeves you’ll need will vary. Here’s what you would typically look for based on the games I mentioned earlier:

1. Yu-Gi-Oh! (Japanese version): For the slightly smaller Japanese Yu-Gi-Oh! cards (59mm x 86mm), you would want “small” or “Japanese size” sleeves, which are typically 62mm x 89mm.
2. Dixit: Sleeves specifically marketed for Dixit-sized cards (88mm x 120mm) are available, but they can be a little harder to find. They will often be labeled as “Dixit size” sleeves.
3. Tarot Cards: The size of tarot cards can vary, but for a standard tarot card size of 70mm x 121mm, you would want to look for “tarot size” sleeves.
4. Ticket to Ride: For these smaller cards (50mm x 30mm), you would look for “miniature” or “mini American board game” size sleeves.
5. Munchkin and Settlers of Catan: For these “American board game” size cards (57mm x 89mm), you would look for “standard American board game” size sleeves.

Just like with the standard size cards, you’ll want to ensure the sleeves are slightly larger than the cards themselves for good fit. 

What is the thickness of a standard Magic: the gathering card?

The thickness of a standard Magic: The Gathering card is approximately 0.012 inches or 0.305 millimeters. This is pretty uniform on non-foil cards. This is also the typical thickness for many types of trading cards.

Keep in mind that certain special edition or premium cards might be slightly thicker due to foiling, different printing processes, or other special treatments. The thickness can also vary slightly between print runs due to manufacturing tolerances.

There are also a few examples of much thicker Magic: the gathering novelty cards, such as the Display Commander which comes with newer commander decks. Its dimensions are the same width x height measurement of a typical card, but the thickness is more like 3 to 4 times the normal mtg card size. Due to this the card is literally for display only and not legal to play, similar to proxy cards. 

Your pod may allow you to use the Display Commander as a proxy for the actual card, and it may look the same in the command zone, but once it enters the playing field the different sizes will be very obvious. It can be common for a playgroup to allow proxies of rare cards though, so that your rares don’t lose value from wear and tear during play.

What size were the oversized Commander cards sometimes included in Commander decks?

The oversized commander cards included in some older Magic: The Gathering Commander decks are larger than the standard card size. These oversized cards typically measure approximately 3.5 inches by 5 inches, or 88.9 mm by 127 mm.

These larger cards are meant to represent the deck’s commander and serve as a visual aid or a collector’s item, but they are not suitable for regular gameplay due to their size. For actual gameplay, a regular-sized version of the commander card is also included in the deck. 

What is the typical font size of an MTG card?

Wizards of the Coast, the company that produces Magic: The Gathering, has not publicly disclosed the exact font size used on their cards. Additionally, the font size can vary depending on the amount of text that needs to fit in the text box, the card type, and other factors.

Generally, the main body text (which includes the card’s abilities and flavor text) appears to be approximately 8-9 point size for shorter texts and can be smaller for longer texts. Please note this is an estimation and can vary.

What is the weight of a standard Magic: the gathering card?

A standard non-foil Magic card weighs approximately 1.814 grams (0.064 ounces). However, this weight can slightly vary based on the specific printing process, the card stock used, and any special treatments such as foiling.

What is the standard weight of a foil Magic: the gathering card?

Foil Magic: The Gathering cards are typically very slightly heavier than regular cards due to the additional layer of foil material. While the exact weight can vary depending on the specific card and printing process, you can expect a foil card to weigh approximately 1.9 to 2.0 grams.

Please note this is an approximation and the actual weight can vary. The difference in weight between foil and non-foil cards is usually negligible and won’t affect gameplay or storage.

What is MTG Cardsmith?

“MTG Cardsmith is an online card generator that was created to allow creative Magic: The Gathering players to easily and rapidly create cards and share concept visualizations.” In short, it allows the creation of custom mtg cards, your own Magic card. Then using proxy papers or pieces of card stock the new designs or proxies could be printed and used in casual games. While the Magic community is aware of the tool, and in many cases allows proxies, be sure to check with your pod before playing them. While a few proxies might be ok, most playgroups won’t allow an entire deck, and you’ll never be allowed to use them in official tournaments.

What stock is used to produce standard card game cards, such as Magic?

Magic: The Gathering cards, along with many other trading card games, are typically printed on high-quality paper stock often referred to as “blue core” or “black core” paper. This type of card stock is dense and durable, designed to hold up to regular handling and shuffling.

The core color refers to a thin layer within the paper stock that is colored (either blue or black) to add extra opacity to the card, preventing people from seeing through it under normal lighting conditions. This is especially important for competitive games where card identity might need to be concealed.

Wizards of the Coast has not publicly disclosed the exact specifications of the card stock used for Magic: The Gathering cards. The company has acknowledged changing the card stock over time to improve quality and sustainability, but detailed specifications are not typically provided to the public.

​Other Random Physical Properties:

Here are a few additional considerations regarding the physical properties of Magic: The Gathering cards:

1. Card Corners: The corners of a Magic: The Gathering card have a radius of about 2 mm. This is common for many types of trading cards and helps prevent damage from handling.
2. Border size: The border size, and color, have changed a few times throughout Magic’s history, most specifically around 8th edition. The borders have also changed several times from black border to white border and vice versa.
3. Art box and text box: On older cards the art box is around 2.1″ x 1.8″, and on newer cards is approximately 2.3″ x 1.8″, and the text box is approximately 2.3″ x 1.28″
4. Card Surface: The cards have a slightly glossy finish on the front of the card to enhance the artwork and a matte finish on the back for easier shuffling and handling.
5. Packaging: Sealed Magic: The Gathering booster packs typically weigh around 14 grams. However, this can vary depending on the number of cards in the pack and the inclusion of any foil or special cards. Some players have tried to use pack weight to predict the contents, but this method is generally unreliable due to the minor weight variations between different cards.
6. Environmental Factors: Over time, exposure to sunlight, moisture, and fluctuations in temperature can affect the weight, color, and integrity of the cards. It’s generally recommended to store cards in a dry, cool, and dark place to preserve their condition.

While the dimensions of the card are essential to standard cards, keeping them all one size allows for standards in accessories as well such as sleeves, deck boxes, and storage. New card games may appear using the same standard size, and thus already have an accessory market available to them. These accessories certainly aren’t just for Magic games.

If there are any dimensions not covered or that you’d like more information on, please let me know in the comments!

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Featured Image Photo by Karolina Grabowska