Magic: The Gathering Card Dimensions and Complete Size Guide
Get exact Magic: The Gathering card measurements, sleeve sizes, binder and storage guidance, card types, colours, rarity, the card back, logo details, and clear answers to common sizing questions. This page also includes advice to sell Magic: The Gathering cards UK players can use today!
Core Measurements: Magic: The Gathering Card Size
The dimensions of a Magic: The Gathering card are 63 mm by 88 mm. In imperial units the size is 2.5 inches by 3.5 inches. This is extremely important if you're looking to buy some new sleeves to keep your cards safe.
When sleeves (or other storage products) state "standard size", it is typically referring to this 63 by 88 mm specification. Designers and printers use the same figure for proxies, tokens, and storage inserts, so planning around these numbers keeps your setup consistent and tournament friendly and avoids any mishaps.
Card Sleeves That Fit
Outer sleeves that match Magic: The Gathering card dimensions are typically listed at about 66 mm by 91 mm. That slight increase over the raw card size makes sleeving smooth and leaves space for an inner sleeve. A perfect fit inner wraps the 63 by 88 mm card closely, then the protected card slides into the 66 by 91 mm outer. Players choose this double sleeving approach for a clean shuffle, stronger corners, and better resistance to moisture during long events.
Binders and Pages
Nine pocket binder pages are built around the standard trading card footprint of 2.5 by 3.5 inches. Look for pages labelled acid free and PVC free to protect foils and older prints. Side loading pockets reduce the chance of cards slipping out during travel, while zipper binders add another layer of security. If you store double sleeved decks inside a binder, confirm the pockets are for standard size rather than Japanese size so your Magic cards sit flat.
Playmats and Card Mats
Playmats do not need to match pocket sizes, so makers use a few common footprints. You will often see mats at about 24 inches by 14 inches. Licensed mats also appear near 19⅜ inches by 15 inches. Each option provides space for the battlefield, a deck, a graveyard, tokens, and dice. If you keep a life pad or token trays on the table, the larger mat keeps the layout tidy. Shoppers looking for magic the gathering card mats can pick either of these sizes with confidence.
Storage Boxes and Long Term Protection
Deck boxes and long boxes marketed for standard trading cards are sized for 2.5 by 3.5 inch cards. A good deck box leaves headroom for 100 double sleeved cards, which covers a Commander deck plus tokens. Rigid long boxes suit bulk storage at home. Magnetic or latch style deck boxes suit travel. Adding silica gel packets to a drawer helps manage moisture through seasonal changes. If you search for magic the gathering card box storage, focus on capacities listed for sleeved or double sleeved cards so your decks fit without stress.
The Card Back and the MTG Logo
Every tournament legal Magic card uses the same card back. The design shows the Magic: The Gathering wordmark at the top, a ring of five coloured pips at the centre, and the Deckmaster label at the bottom. Consistency of the magic the gathering card back matters in competitive play because mixed backs would reveal information during shuffling.
Card Types in Magic: The Gathering
- The rulebook defines eight primary card types:
- Creature
- Instant
- Sorcery
- Artifact
- Enchantment
- Planeswalker
- Land
- Battle
Subtypes add flavour and rules detail, for example Elf, Aura, Equipment, and Vehicle. Understanding these categories can help you come up with some pretty flavourful deck-lists and combos!
Magic: The Gathering Card Colours
The colour pie contains White, Blue, Black, Red, and Green, plus colourless cards and mana. White leans toward structure and defense. Blue focuses on knowledge and tempo. Black trades resources for power. Red aims for speed and direct damage. Green excels at growth and large creatures. These identities appear on frames and set mechanical expectations, so the phrase magic the gathering card colors signals more than ink on cardboard. It points to a philosophy and a plan for how a deck wins.
Rarity and Pack Structure
Modern products use four base rarities. Common, uncommon, rare, and mythic rare indicate pack frequency and help balance Limited formats. Specialty finishes such as etched foils, extended art, showcase frames, and promos create additional versions of the same game piece. That is why collectors often track both unique card names and print variants when discussing magic the gathering card rarity.
How Many Magic: The Gathering Cards Are There
After three decades of releases, the catalogue includes tens of thousands of unique card names and far more distinct printings across promos and special frames. The exact count grows with each set. For practical buying decisions, you can treat every new release as compatible with the same accessories listed here because the dimensions of magic the gathering cards remain 63 mm by 88 mm across regular paper printings.
Useful Size Comparisons
Magic and Pokémon share the same standard footprint of 63 mm by 88 mm. So in short magic the gathering cards are the same size as pokemon. Sleeves, binder pages, and storage advertised for standard size fit both brands. Yu Gi Oh cards use a smaller Japanese size, so those sleeves do not fit Magic. When in doubt during a shop visit, look for standard size on the label to match magic the gathering card dimensions correctly.
Accessories Summary in One Table
The table below gathers common measurements so you can check compatibility at a glance. It focuses on magic the gathering card measurements, sleeves, binders, mats, and typical deck capacities to support quick purchases.
| Item | Common specification | Fit for MTG |
|---|---|---|
| Magic: The Gathering card size | 63 mm × 88 mm or 2.5 in × 3.5 in | Exact |
| Outer sleeves, standard size | About 66 mm × 91 mm | Fits single or double sleeved cards |
| Perfect fit inner sleeves | Designed to hug 63 mm × 88 mm | Used inside the outer sleeve |
| Nine pocket binder pages | Pockets sized for 2.5 in × 3.5 in | Ideal for binders and display |
| Typical playmat size | About 24 in × 14 in, or 19⅜ in × 15 in | Room for battlefield and extras |
| Deck box for Commander | Capacity for 100 double sleeved cards | Keeps a full deck plus tokens |
Magic: The Gathering Card Binder and Storage Tips
Store high value or frequently traded cards in a zipper binder with acid free, PVC free pages. Keep active decks in sturdy deck boxes that support double sleeving to avoid split seams. For bulk at home, use long boxes sized for standard trading cards and label sets by year or format so you can find staples fast.
Ultimate Guard 100+ Sidewinder Xenoskin Aetherdrift
Selling Your Cards in the UK
If you're looking to sell your cards, why not reach out to us? You can either contact us here, or use our buylist on our singles website!
Final Checklist Before You Buy
Confirm that sleeves and binder pages state standard size. Check that outer sleeves are around 66 by 91 mm if you plan to double sleeve. Verify that binder pages are acid free and PVC free to protect foils.