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The classic business card is small—but there are still a few things to keep in mind when designing it. In Germany and many European countries, a standard size of 85 × 55 mm has become the norm. This makes the card about the same size as a credit card and ensures it fits easily into wallets, card holders, and business card cases.
Depending on the print shop, the exact dimensions may vary slightly. In addition, technical factors such as bleed, safety margins, and print resolution play an important role. And when it comes time to provide business cards to multiple employees within a company, it’s no longer just about the right dimensions: Consistent branding, up-to-date contact information, and an efficient ordering process also become important.
In this article, you’ll learn not only the standard size of a business card, but also the dimensions in centimeters and pixels, international formats, and tips for printing and design. You’ll also discover how companies like Lemontapscombine traditional paper business cards with digital profiles to leverage the benefits of both solutions.
Standard business card size: 85 x 55 mm
The standard size for a business card in Germany is 85 × 55 mm in landscape orientation. In portrait orientation, the dimensions are 55 × 85 mm. However, this format is used much less frequently than the classic landscape orientation.
An important point: 85 × 55 mm is not an official DIN standard for business cards. Rather, it is a well-established standard size that has become widely accepted in everyday European business practice.
Its size offers a practical advantage: It’s compact enough to fit in a card slot, yet it provides enough space for the most important contact information—such as name, title, company, phone number, email address, and website.
Figure 1: Comparison of a Business Card and a Credit Card
Another commonly used format is 85 × 54 mm, which is used, for example, in integrated printing systems such as the Lemontaps paper business card ordering system .
Business Card Sizes Around the World
The same dimensions aren't used everywhere. Therefore, anyone designing business cards for international teams or business partners should take the target country into account.
| Region | Dimensions in mm | Height in cm |
|---|---|---|
| Germany / Europe | 85 × 55 mm | 8.5 × 5.5 cm |
| United States / Canada | 89 × 51 mm | 8.9 × 5.1 cm |
| United Kingdom | 85 × 55 mm | 8.5 × 5.5 cm |
| Japan | 91 × 55 mm | 9.1 × 5.5 cm |
| China | approx. 90 × 54 mm | 9.0 × 5.4 cm |
The American format is slightly wider and shorter than the standard German version. Japanese business cards, on the other hand, are traditionally slightly larger.
For companies operating internationally, it may therefore be a good idea to maintain different print templates—especially if the cards are used in different markets.
Business card dimensions in cm, mm, and pixels
Pixel values are often required for designing in Canva, Photoshop, Illustrator, or other programs.
A card with a final size of 85 × 55 mm corresponds to:
| Unit | Size |
|---|---|
| millimeter | 85 × 55 mm |
| centimeter | 8.5 × 5.5 cm |
| Inch | 3.35 × 2.17 inches |
| Pixels (300 dpi) | 1004 × 650 px |
Pixel Sizes for Printing
| Resolution | Pixel |
|---|---|
| 150 dpi | 502 × 325 px |
| 300 dpi | 1004 × 650 px |
| 600 dpi | 2008 × 1300 px |
For professional-quality print results, 300 dpi is generally recommended. Materials, paper thickness, and surfaces also affect the feel and the print result. High-quality business cards often start at a basis weight of 350 g/m².
Trim and Print Dimensions
When printing, the final size of 85 × 55 mm alone is not sufficient. A bleed must also be included to prevent white borders from appearing when the print is trimmed.
The standard bleed is 3 mm on each side.
| Area | Dimensions |
|---|---|
| Final format | 85 × 55 mm |
| Cut | 3 mm |
| Print File | 91 × 61 mm |
| Safety Distance | 3–5 mm |
Example of Print Data
-
Final size: 85 × 55 mm
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Cutting allowance: 3 mm
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Print file: 91 × 61 mm
-
Safety distance: 3–5 mm
Important information such as the name, phone number, or logo should always be placed at least 3 to 5 mm from the edge.
Figure 2: Bleed and Print Dimensions Explained
For integrated solutions such as the Lemontaps paper business card ordering system , print data is automatically adjusted to the correct format. Companies don’t have to worry about bleed, safety margins, or print templates themselves. Designs can be managed centrally and sent directly to connected print shops.
Figure 3: Lemontaps' paper business card ordering system
What's the right business card size?
For most companies, the standard size of 85 × 55 mm remains the best choice.
| Format | Size | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 85 × 55 mm | Professional |
| Portrait orientation | 55 × 85 mm | Modern |
| Square | 55 × 55 mm | Creative |
| Mini | 85 × 25 mm | Minimalist |
| Fold-out card | 85 × 55 mm | More space |
Mini business cards measure 85 × 25 mm and are particularly compact. Their shape and corners also influence the impression they make on the recipient. Unusual shapes can attract attention, but they should still be practical to handle.
A Common Mistake with Business Cards
- From a practical standpoint, the wrong font size isn't the only problem with business cards. More often than not, the margins are underestimated.
- For example, a logo is positioned just a few millimeters from the cut edge. It looks neat on the screen. After cutting, the card suddenly looks unbalanced, or individual elements appear too close to the edge.
- QR codes also require sufficient space. Their readability should not be compromised by cropping, rounded corners, or insufficient contrast.
- Anyone who regularly creates business cards for many employees should therefore use a standard print template. This reduces errors and ensures that employees don’t each create their own version of the company business card.
Digital Business Cards as an Alternative
The classic paper business card has one key advantage: It works right away, without needing any technical explanation. At a trade show, during a client meeting, or when meeting someone in person, you can simply hand over a printed business card.
The problem often doesn't arise until later.
- A phone number changes. An employee changes positions. The company launches a new website. Or an employee leaves the company, and new contact information needs to be distributed.
- A printed map cannot reflect these changes. Once printed, the information remains unchanged.
With a digital business card, things are different. Contact information can be updated centrally. With Lemontaps, for example, you can share your digital profile via a link, QR code, or NFC. Contact information can also be saved directly as a vCard.
This makes digital business cards particularly appealing for companies where many employees regularly interact with the public.
While physical business cards are still a part of everyday business life, they also have their drawbacks:
-
Contact information changes.
-
Tickets get lost.
-
Cards end up in the drawer unread.
Digital business cards offer significantly more flexibility.
Advantages of digital business cards:
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Can be updated at any time
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No reprinting costs
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Can be shared via NFC or QR code
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contact information that is always up to date
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Integration of the Website, Calendar, and Social Media
Figure 4: Digital Profile of Lemontaps
Hybrid Model: Print and Digital
More and more companies are combining traditional paper business cards with digital solutions. Printed business cards remain practical for trade shows, client meetings, and events, while digital profiles can be updated at any time.
With Lemontaps, you can combine the best of both worlds:
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Centralized management of all business cards within the company
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Ordering Paper Maps
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Digital Profiles with NFC and QR Codes
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Real-time updates to phone numbers or email addresses
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Consistent branding for all employees
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No need to reprint if contact information changes
This is a practical way to combine printed and digital business cards. The paper card is ideal for in-person exchanges, while the digital contact information can be updated at any time and accessed directly on a smartphone.
The decision doesn't necessarily have to come down to "paper or digital."
Sonntag & Partner uses the hybrid model
A good example of this is Sonntag & Partner Partnership, mbB, a business law firm with more than 500 employees. The company uses Lemontaps as a combination of digital and physical business cards. The goal is not only to share contact information, but also to integrate the business card process more efficiently into existing company workflows.
This is a sensible approach for companies where paper cards still play an important role.
During a face-to-face meeting, the printed card can be handed over. At the same time, a QR code or an NFC card can link to the digital profile. If, for example, the phone number changes later, there’s no need to automatically print a new card—the digital information can be updated.
When a trade show is just around the corner
The experience of the RheinLand Insurance Group demonstrates just how important a well-functioning process can be.
The company uses Lemontaps for real estate agents, key account managers, and executives, among others. Ahead of the DKM trade show, time was of the essence: the cards had to be available quickly. According to the published success story, the project was made possible through close coordination with the design team.
This case highlights a practical consideration that is often overlooked when it comes to business cards: A good solution must work not only under normal circumstances. Especially before trade shows, events, and major client meetings, additional requirements often arise on short notice.
In such situations, centralized management is helpful because the design, profiles, and issuance of the cards do not have to be handled entirely by individual employees.
Here's another example: Networking at the OMR
Even at events with a large number of attendees, the digital option can make a difference.
VR Star GmbH used Lemontaps to prepare for the OMR. The focus was on making networking more efficient and simplifying contact management.
This is a different use case than the traditional business card: At a trade show or conference, you can make numerous new contacts within just a few hours. A digital business card can not only provide your contact information but also serve as a starting point for further digital interactions.
Lemontaps also offers features for digital lead capture and CRM integration. This allows what was once simply “exchanging business cards” to become a more structured process for follow-up.
Anyone who wants not only to learn about the concept but also to Create a digital business card for professional use If you'd like, you can Lemontaps' digital business card solution View.
Conclusion: Choosing the right format is just the beginning
85 × 55 mm is a tried-and-true size for the classic business card in Germany. However, anyone designing a card for printing shouldn’t stop at the final dimensions. Bleed, safety margins, resolution, and the printer’s specific requirements all determine whether the finished card will actually look clean and professional.
For businesses, there's a second challenge: How do you keep hundreds or even thousands of contact records up to date?
This is where traditional paper business cards reach their limits. Lemontaps’ client projects showcase various ways companies are solving this problem: SONNTAG combines physical and digital cards, and the RheinLand Insurance Group uses digital business cards for broker account managers and executives, among others.
This transforms the business card from a mere printed item into an integral part of digital contact management. The traditional card remains in use when it is appropriate for face-to-face interactions, while the digital profile takes over when up-to-date information, additional links, or centralized management are needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Card Sizes
1. What is the standard size of a business card?
- The standard size in Germany is 85 × 55 mm.
2. How big is a business card in centimeters?
- A business card measures 8.5 × 5.5 cm.
3. How big is a business card in pixels?
- At 300 dpi, the size is approximately 1004 × 650 pixels.
4. Are there different business card sizes around the world?
- Yes. In the U.S., the standard size is 89 × 51 mm; in Japan, it is 91 × 55 mm.
5. What size should my business card be?
- For most companies, the standard size of 85 × 55 mm is recommended.
6. What do I need to keep in mind when printing?
- In addition to the final format, a 3-mm bleed should be included. Paper thickness, surface finish, and print quality also play an important role. Furthermore, important content should be placed at least 3 to 5 mm from the edge.