The standard business card size in Canada is 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm). That is 8.89 × 5.08 cm, or 1050 × 600 pixels at 300 DPI. Canada uses the same size as the United States, so a card printed in Toronto, Vancouver or Montreal fits the same wallets and cardholders.

Choosing the right size takes a minute, but a wrong file size can cost you a reprint. This guide gives the exact measurements in every unit, plus bleed, safe area, other common formats and answers to the questions people ask most.

Standard business card size at a glance

Use the horizontal size for most designs. Choose vertical when your logo is tall or your layout is short and centred. Either way, the finished card is the same size.

Why Canada uses 3.5 × 2 inches

Canada officially uses the metric system, but the printing trade across North America still works in inches, so most Canadian printers quote card sizes as 3.5 × 2 in. The size has lasted because it is practical. It is close to the footprint of a credit card (3.375 × 2.125 in), so it slides into wallets, badge holders and card organizers. It also leaves enough room for a logo, a name, a title and three or four lines of contact details without crowding.

Standard sizes are also the most economical option. They suit common production formats, so they usually cost less than custom shapes and avoid the extra production time of a die cut.

Business card sizes around the world

If you meet clients or partners abroad, a local-size card fits their cardholders better. These are conventions, not rules, so confirm with your printer.

A European-size card is slightly narrower and taller than a Canadian one. Canadian designers who work with European clients sometimes order a second version in the local size.

Bleed, trim and safe area explained

Three measurements decide how your file prints:

• Trim size: the final size after cutting, 3.5 × 2 in.
• Bleed: extra background that extends past the trim line and gets cut off. It prevents thin white edges if the blade shifts slightly.
• Safe area: the inner zone where text, logos and QR codes must stay so nothing is clipped.

Printers set bleed differently. Some ask for 0.125 in (3 mm) on every side, and others use a smaller bleed, so always download your printer’s own template. Here are the pixel sizes at 300 DPI for the common setups:

OreoPrint file setup: insert OreoPrint’s confirmed bleed and safe-area values from the business card product page, and link the downloadable template here.

Other common business card sizes

Standard is the safest choice, but other formats are available:

• Vertical: 2 × 3.5 in. Same card, rotated. Good for tall logos.
• Square: about 2.5 × 2.5 in. Memorable and popular with photographers and designers, but it may not fit standard wallets.
• Mini or slim: often around 3.5 × 1.5 in. Suited to inserts, discount codes and simple contact details. Mini sizes vary by printer.
• Rounded corners: keep the standard 3.5 × 2 in size with softer corners, so wallet fit stays the same.

Custom shapes can raise cost and take longer to produce, so use them only when the shape suits your brand.

Design tips that depend on size

A small card punishes crowded layouts. Keep these limits in mind:

• Font size: use at least 8 pt for contact details. Names and headings usually work at 10–12 pt or larger.
• QR codes: print them at least 0.8 × 0.8 in (20 mm), with plenty of clear space and strong contrast, and test the printed proof on several phones.
• Resolution and colour: supply artwork at 300 DPI in CMYK, since RGB can shift colours in print.
• Paper thickness: cards are commonly 14 pt to 18 pt or thicker. Thicker stock feels firmer and usually costs more.
• Back of the card: put extra details, a tagline or a QR code on the back instead of shrinking the text on the front.

Standard business card size FAQs

What is the standard business card size in Canada?

The standard size is 3.5 × 2 inches (88.9 × 50.8 mm), the same as in the United States. In centimetres it is 8.89 × 5.08 cm, and at 300 DPI the file measures 1050 × 600 pixels before bleed.

Are business cards 2×3 inches?

No. The standard card is 3.5 × 2 inches. A 2 × 3 inch card would be shorter than standard and may not match printer templates. If you want a vertical card, use 2 × 3.5 inches instead.

Are business cards A7 size?

No. A7 measures 74 × 105 mm, which is much larger than a business card. ISO A8 (52 × 74 mm) is closer, but the standard North American card is 88.9 × 50.8 mm.

Are business cards 4×6 or 3×5 inches?

No. A 4 × 6 inch size is a postcard or photo print, and 3 × 5 inches is a common index card size. Both are far too large for a business card, which is 3.5 × 2 inches.

Is 5×7 a standard card size?

Yes, but for greeting cards and invitations, not business cards. A 5 × 7 inch card is about four times the area of a standard business card, so use it for announcements rather than contact cards.

What is the standard business card size in pixels?

At 300 DPI, a standard card is 1050 × 600 pixels (600 × 1050 for vertical). Add bleed as your printer specifies, for example 1083 × 633 pixels with a 0.055 in bleed or 1125 × 675 pixels with a 0.125 in bleed.

Get the right size on your first print

Start from the correct template, keep your text inside the safe area and proof at 100% scale. When your design is ready, browse OreoPrint business cards or download our free templates.