TLDR
- Standard Pokemon card size: 63 mm x 88 mm (about 2.5″ x 3.5″).
- Thickness: about 0.30 mm (roughly 0.012″), with small variation.
- Approx weight: about 1.8 to 2.0 grams per card (foils can be a hair heavier).
- Sleeves: If it says “Standard” and mentions 63 x 88 mm, it fits Pokemon and MTG.
You came here for numbers, not vibes. Respect.
If you’re googling the size of a Pokemon card, it’s usually because something didn’t fit: sleeves, binder pages, deck boxes, a custom print template, or your sanity. Let’s fix that.
The size of a Pokemon card (quick spec)
Here’s the “don’t-make-me-scroll” version:
- Width: 63 mm (about 2.5 inches)
- Height: 88 mm (about 3.5 inches)
- Thickness: about 0.30 mm (about 0.012 inches)
- Weight: about 1.8 to 2.0 grams per card
A lot of sites round to 2.5″ x 3.5″, because humans love round numbers. In practice, you’ll also see 63 x 88 mm called out directly, especially in the sleeve world, because sleeves have to fit reality, not optimism.
Is a Pokemon card the same size as an MTG card?
Yes. Standard Pokemon cards and standard Magic cards share the same “standard/poker size” footprint.
That’s why one pack of “Standard size” sleeves can cover both games. Sleeve companies literally market this as “fits MTG and Pokemon” because they enjoy selling products to more than one fandom (wild concept, honestly).
If you want the practical takeaway: if you’re used to MTG sizing, you already understand Pokemon sizing. Your hands will not need retraining.
Why the size of a Pokemon card matters (more than it should)
1) Sleeves and binders are sized around the standard
Most “Standard” TCG sleeves are built for cards up to 63 x 88 mm. That “up to” part matters because sleeves are slightly larger than the card, otherwise you’d be trying to insert cardboard into a cardboard guillotine.
So if your sleeves feel too tight or too loose, it’s usually one of these:
- You accidentally bought Japanese size sleeves (common Yu-Gi-Oh size).
- You bought oversleeves or “outer” sleeves (meant to go over other sleeves).
- Your cards are jumbo promos (different planet, different laws of physics).
2) Deck boxes have a “card math” limit
A single card is light. A stack is not.
If a normal Pokemon card is ~1.8 to 2.0g, then:
- 60 cards land around 108 to 120g before sleeves.
- Add sleeves and suddenly your deck box is doing strength training.
Not a crisis, just a reminder that “it’s only cardboard” is a lie we tell ourselves until we try to carry four decks, a playmat, dice, and snacks.
3) Printing and cutting templates need actual measurements
If you’re printing custom cards, playtest cards, proxies, or homebrew stuff, being off by even a millimeter is enough to create the classic “one card feels taller” problem.
If you’re doing anything print-related (especially trimming/cutting), this is the sanity-saving guide on our side:
Same card footprint, same print math, same heartbreak if scaling is wrong.
Thickness: what you should expect (and why it varies)
The “normal” thickness you’ll see quoted for a standard Pokemon card is about 0.30 mm.
If you measure a single card with cheap calipers, you can get noisy readings. If you measure one foil, you might get a slightly higher number. If you measure a bent card, you’ll get a number that mostly reflects your life choices.
A better way to think about thickness:
- Typical range: around 0.28 to 0.32 mm for standard cards
- Foils and specialty finishes: can be slightly thicker
- Humidity and wear: can change feel more than people expect
If you care about shuffle feel, thickness differences show up fast once you sleeve and stack a whole deck. If you’re mixing different print sources (or mixing real cards with paper inserts), you’ll feel it.
If you’ve ever wondered why a mixed deck shuffles “off,” it’s usually thickness + stiffness + sleeve friction. This article exists because we’ve all been there:
Weight: what a Pokemon card weighs (approximately)
A single standard Pokemon card usually weighs about 1.8 to 2.0 grams.
That range is useful because weight is affected by:
- Foil layers and specialty treatments
- Small print-run and manufacturer differences
- Moisture content (paper is dramatic like that)
If you want a clean “real life” estimate without overthinking:
- Common cards: near the low end
- Foils / full arts: often toward the high end
In ounces, 2 grams is about 0.07 oz. It’s basically nothing until you multiply it by a whole collection and suddenly you’re moving apartments.
Quick comparison table (Pokemon vs MTG vs “oops wrong sleeves”)
| Game | Card size | Sleeve label you want |
|---|---|---|
| Pokemon TCG | ~63 x 88 mm | Standard |
| Magic: The Gathering | ~63 x 88 mm | Standard |
| Yu-Gi-Oh | ~59 x 86 mm | Japanese / Mini |
If you only remember one thing: Pokemon and MTG are “Standard.” Yu-Gi-Oh is the one that makes you accidentally buy the wrong sleeves at least once in your life.
Quick checklist: how to measure your own cards (without buying lab equipment)
If you want to confirm your own cards (or verify a template) here’s the easiest low-drama method:
- Width/height: use a ruler with millimeters, measure the long and short edge.
- Thickness: stack 10 cards, measure the stack thickness, divide by 10.
(Measuring one card is where calipers go to lie to you.) - Weight: weigh 10 cards on a kitchen scale (grams), divide by 10.
(A single card can be below the scale’s reliable resolution.)
Yes, this is mildly nerdy. But it’s the useful kind of nerdy, like knowing your commander’s mana value instead of “it’s like… five-ish?”
FAQ
Are Pokemon cards always the same size?
Standard cards from booster packs are intended to be consistent, but tiny variation exists across print runs and special treatments. Jumbo promos are different sizes entirely.
What sleeve size fits Pokemon cards?
Look for Standard size sleeves. If the product mentions 63 x 88 mm, you’re good.
How thick is a Pokemon card in inches?
Roughly 0.012 inches (about 0.30 mm).
How much does a Pokemon card weigh?
Usually about 1.8 to 2.0 grams per card, with foils sometimes a bit heavier.
Are Pokemon cards the same size as MTG cards?
Yes. Standard Pokemon and standard MTG cards share the same footprint, which is why the same “Standard” sleeves work for both.