What Are the Dimensions of a Greeting Card?
If you're making, buying, or mailing a greeting card, you may wonder what are the dimensions of a greeting card? There isn't one universal greeting card size, but several standard dimensions are commonly used.
A typical folded greeting card is often around 5 × 7 inches (12.7 × 17.8 cm) when closed. Other popular sizes include 4.25 × 5.5 inches, 4.5 × 6.25 inches, and 5.25 × 7.25 inches.
The right size depends on the occasion, design, envelope, and whether you're making a handmade card or purchasing a commercially printed one.
What Is the Standard Size of a Greeting Card?
One of the most popular greeting card dimensions is:
5 × 7 inches (12.7 × 17.8 cm)
This size is widely used for:
Birthday cards
Thank you cards
Wedding cards
Anniversary cards
Christmas cards
Graduation cards
Sympathy cards
A 5 × 7-inch card provides enough room for a personal message without being so large that it becomes difficult to mail or store.
Remember that these measurements usually refer to the closed card.
If you're making a folded card that measures 5 × 7 inches when closed, the flat sheet of cardstock used to make it will generally be 10 × 7 inches before folding.
Common Greeting Card Sizes
Here are some popular greeting card dimensions.
Card sizeDimensions in inchesApprox. dimensions in cmSmall4 × 5.25 in10.2 × 13.3 cmA24.25 × 5.5 in10.8 × 14 cmMedium4.5 × 6.25 in11.4 × 15.9 cmA64.5 × 6.25 in11.4 × 15.9 cmLarge5 × 7 in12.7 × 17.8 cmA75 × 7 in12.7 × 17.8 cmOversized5.25 × 7.25 in13.3 × 18.4 cm
These are common formats rather than a single mandatory standard.
What Are A2 Greeting Card Dimensions?
An A2 greeting card is commonly 4.25 × 5.5 inches (10.8 × 14 cm) when folded.
A2 is one of the most popular sizes for handmade cards and invitations.
For a horizontally folded A2 card, the unfolded cardstock is approximately:
8.5 × 5.5 inches
For a vertically folded card:
5.5 × 8.5 inches
The orientation changes, but the finished dimensions remain the same.
What Are A6 Greeting Card Dimensions?
An A6 greeting card is commonly around 4.5 × 6.25 inches (11.4 × 15.9 cm) in the U.S. greeting-card industry.
A6 is a versatile medium-sized format that provides more writing space than an A2 card while remaining relatively compact.
It can work well for:
Birthday cards
Thank you cards
Invitations
Holiday cards
Note cards
It's worth noting that A6 can mean different dimensions depending on the paper-size system being used. The international ISO A6 paper size is 105 × 148 mm, while the U.S. greeting-card industry commonly uses "A6" to refer to approximately 4.5 × 6.25 inches.
What Are A7 Greeting Card Dimensions?
An A7 greeting card is commonly 5 × 7 inches (12.7 × 17.8 cm) when closed.
This is one of the most recognizable greeting card sizes.
A7 cards are especially popular for:
Birthday cards
Wedding cards
Christmas cards
Thank you cards
Anniversary cards
Sympathy cards
The larger surface provides plenty of room for illustrations on the front and a longer message inside.
Greeting Card Dimensions for Handmade Cards
If you're making your own greeting cards, you don't necessarily have to follow a commercial standard.
However, using a common size makes finding envelopes much easier.
Some good beginner sizes are:
4.25 × 5.5 Inches
This is a compact size that works well for simple handmade cards.
5 × 7 Inches
This is a particularly versatile option and provides plenty of space for writing and decoration.
4.5 × 6.25 Inches
This offers a useful middle ground between smaller and larger card formats.
When choosing a size, think about the envelope first. It's usually easier to select an envelope and then design your card to fit it.
What Size Is a Greeting Card Envelope?
The envelope should be slightly larger than the folded card so the card can slide in and out easily.
For example, a 5 × 7-inch greeting card typically uses an envelope that is somewhat larger than 5 × 7 inches.
Common envelope sizes include:
Card sizeTypical envelope size4.25 × 5.5 inA2 envelope4.5 × 6.25 inA6 envelope5 × 7 inA7 envelope
The exact envelope dimensions can vary by manufacturer.
Does Greeting Card Size Matter for Mailing?
Yes.
The dimensions, weight, thickness, and shape of a greeting card can affect how much it costs to mail.
A standard rectangular card is generally easier to mail than one that is:
Oversized
Square
Very thick
Rigid
Unusually shaped
This is particularly important for handmade greeting cards.
A card may start with a standard size but become thicker after you add layers, ribbons, buttons, pop-up mechanisms, or other decorations.
What Is the Best Greeting Card Size for Mailing?
For a card that you plan to mail regularly, a standard rectangular format is usually the easiest choice.
A 5 × 7-inch card is a popular option because it provides a good balance between writing space and convenient handling.
However, the card itself isn't the only consideration.
The complete mailpiece should be checked for:
Envelope dimensions
Total weight
Thickness
Flexibility
Shape
If you're unsure whether a handmade card meets postal requirements, check the finished envelope before mailing.
Greeting Card Dimensions by Occasion
Different occasions often use different card sizes, although there are no strict rules.
Birthday Cards
Common sizes include:
5 × 7 inches
or
4.25 × 5.5 inches
A larger card can be useful when several people need to sign it.
Thank You Cards
Thank you cards are often smaller and more compact.
Popular sizes include:
4.25 × 5.5 inches
and
4.5 × 6.25 inches
Wedding Cards
Wedding cards are frequently larger because they may contain longer messages or elaborate designs.
5 × 7 inches is a popular choice.
Christmas Cards
Christmas cards come in many sizes, but 5 × 7 inches and smaller formats are common.
Graduation Cards
Graduation cards often use medium or large formats such as:
5 × 7 inches
This gives you room for a longer congratulatory message.
Sympathy Cards
Sympathy cards are commonly available in medium and larger formats, including approximately:
4.5 × 6.25 inches
and
5 × 7 inches
Portrait vs. Landscape Greeting Cards
Greeting card dimensions don't necessarily determine orientation.
A 5 × 7-inch card can be:
Portrait
5 inches wide × 7 inches tall
or
Landscape
7 inches wide × 5 inches tall
The same applies to smaller formats.
Choose the orientation based on the artwork and the way you want the card to open.
How to Measure a Greeting Card
To measure a folded greeting card, measure the card while it is closed.
Measure:
Width — from one side to the other.
Height — from top to bottom.
Thickness — if you're checking mailing requirements.
For example, if a closed card measures 5 inches wide and 7 inches tall, its finished dimensions are:
5 × 7 inches
Don't measure the unfolded card and call that the finished greeting card size.
How Big Should a Handmade Greeting Card Be?
There is no single correct size for a handmade greeting card.
If you're making cards for the first time, 5 × 7 inches is a practical choice.
It gives you enough space for:
A decorative front
A personal message
Embellishments
Photos
Multiple layers
If you want something more compact, choose approximately 4.25 × 5.5 inches.
The most important thing is to make the card fit a readily available envelope.
How Big Should a Greeting Card Be for a Group Signature?
If several people are going to sign the same card, choose a larger format.
A 5 × 7-inch card gives considerably more writing space than a small card.
For a large group, you may even want an oversized card.
This is common for:
Retirement cards
Workplace congratulations
Farewell cards
Milestone birthdays
Teacher appreciation cards
Team cards
How Thick Should a Greeting Card Be?
There isn't one universal thickness for every greeting card.
The card should be sturdy enough to feel substantial but still fold and fit comfortably inside its envelope.
For handmade cards, multiple layers of cardstock can create a more premium appearance, but excessive thickness can make the card difficult to mail.
If mailing is important, test the finished card inside its envelope before adding bulky decorations.
What Size Cardstock Do You Need to Make a Greeting Card?
This depends on the finished size and how the card folds.
For a 5 × 7-inch folded card, you generally need a piece of cardstock approximately:
10 × 7 inches
Folded in half, it becomes:
5 × 7 inches
For a 4.25 × 5.5-inch folded card, you need approximately:
8.5 × 5.5 inches
The fold can be positioned vertically or horizontally depending on the card design.
Greeting Card Size Cheat Sheet
If you just want the most useful measurements, here's a quick reference:
Finished cardFlat cardstock before folding4 × 5.25 in8 × 5.25 in4.25 × 5.5 in8.5 × 5.5 in4.5 × 6.25 in9 × 6.25 in5 × 7 in10 × 7 in
The flat cardstock dimensions assume the card is folded in half.
What Is the Most Popular Greeting Card Size?
5 × 7 inches is one of the most common and versatile greeting card sizes.
It's large enough for a substantial message and decorative design while remaining convenient for envelopes and mailing.
For handmade cards, A2 (4.25 × 5.5 inches) is another particularly popular choice.
If you're creating cards to sell, offering a few standard sizes can make it easier for customers to find suitable envelopes and postage.
Are Greeting Card Dimensions the Same Worldwide?
No.
Greeting card sizes vary between countries and manufacturers.
The United States commonly uses sizes such as A2, A6, and A7 in the greeting-card industry, while other countries may rely more heavily on ISO paper sizes such as A5 and A6.
That's why it's important to check the specific size system being used when purchasing envelopes, cardstock, or card-making templates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the standard dimensions of a greeting card?
A common greeting card size is 5 × 7 inches (12.7 × 17.8 cm). Other popular sizes include 4.25 × 5.5 inches and 4.5 × 6.25 inches.
What is the most common greeting card size?
5 × 7 inches is one of the most popular greeting card dimensions, although smaller sizes such as 4.25 × 5.5 inches are also widely used.
What size is an A2 greeting card?
An A2 greeting card is commonly 4.25 × 5.5 inches (10.8 × 14 cm) when folded.
What size is an A7 greeting card?
An A7 greeting card is commonly 5 × 7 inches (12.7 × 17.8 cm) when folded.
What size is an A6 greeting card?
In the U.S. greeting-card industry, A6 commonly refers to approximately 4.5 × 6.25 inches (11.4 × 15.9 cm). The international ISO A6 paper size is different.
What size should a handmade greeting card be?
A handmade greeting card can be any size, but 5 × 7 inches and 4.25 × 5.5 inches are practical choices because envelopes are readily available for these formats.
What size envelope fits a 5 × 7 greeting card?
A 5 × 7-inch card commonly fits an A7 envelope, which is slightly larger than the card itself.
Does a greeting card size include the envelope?
No. When someone gives the dimensions of a greeting card, they normally mean the closed card itself, not the envelope.
How do you measure a folded greeting card?
Close the card and measure its width and height. If you're concerned about mailing, also measure the thickness of the card inside its envelope.
What size cardstock do I need for a 5 × 7 card?
For a card that folds in half to 5 × 7 inches, you generally need a piece of cardstock measuring approximately 10 × 7 inches.
Can greeting cards be different sizes?
Yes. There is no single universal greeting card dimension. Cards can be small, standard, oversized,