What Size Are Pokémon Cards? Card, Sleeve and Holder Sizes
By TCG Vault Team · · 6 min read
Written by the team that builds TCG Vault — how we research these guides.
What size are Pokémon cards? Knowing the answer saves you from buying the wrong sleeves, binder pages or holders, which is an easy mistake because card supplies come in several similar-sounding sizes. This guide covers the card itself, how it compares with other games, and the sleeve, top loader and holder sizes that fit, using manufacturers’ published measurements.
What size are Pokémon cards?
Pokémon cards are standard-size trading cards: 2.5 x 3.5 inches, or 63 x 88 mm. Ultra Pro, which makes sleeves and holders for them, gives the exact metric conversion as 63.5 x 88.9 mm. Sleeve makers round it to 63 x 88 mm; Dragon Shield’s size guide lists “Standard Size — Dimensions: 63 x 88 mm (2½ x 3½ in)” and names Pokémon among the games it fits.
In centimeters, that’s about 6.3 x 8.8 cm. Every regular card in an English Pokémon set, from Commons to Special Illustration Rares, uses this size, so a binder or box that fits one card fits your whole set. Oversized “jumbo” cards that come in some special products are the exception.
Pokémon card size compared with other card games
Most Western trading card games share the standard size, which is why supplies are interchangeable between them. The main exception is Yu-Gi-Oh!.
| Card game | Size (inches) | Size (mm) | Sleeve size to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pokémon | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63 x 88 | Standard |
| Magic: The Gathering | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63 x 88 | Standard |
| Disney Lorcana | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63 x 88 | Standard |
| Flesh and Blood | 2.5 x 3.5 | 63 x 88 | Standard |
| Yu-Gi-Oh! | 2⅓ x 3⅜ | 59 x 86 | Small (“Japanese size”) |
The sizes come from Dragon Shield’s size guide, which groups Pokémon, Magic, Lorcana and Flesh and Blood as standard size and Yu-Gi-Oh! as its smaller “Japanese size.”
Are Pokémon cards the same size as Magic cards?
Yes. Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering cards are both 2.5 x 3.5 inches, so the same sleeves, binder pages, top loaders and storage boxes work for both games. Yu-Gi-Oh! is the one to watch: its cards are about 4 mm narrower and 2 mm shorter, and its sleeves are sized to match.
What size sleeves fit Pokémon cards?
Buy sleeves labeled standard size. Sleeve makers usually describe them by the card they fit rather than the sleeve’s own outside measurements, so look for “standard,” “2.5 x 3.5 inch” or “63 x 88 mm” on the package.
| Sleeve type | Made for | Fits a Pokémon card? |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deck protector sleeves | 63 x 88 mm (2.5 x 3.5 in) cards | Yes |
| Penny sleeves | Standard 2.5 x 3.5 in cards | Yes, for storage and under top loaders |
| Perfect fit inner sleeves (KMC: 64 x 89 mm) | A tight inner layer inside a standard sleeve | Yes, as the inner sleeve |
| Small or “Japanese size” sleeves (Ultra Pro lists 62 x 89 mm) | 59 x 86 mm cards such as Yu-Gi-Oh! | No |
A few notes on each:
- Standard deck protectors are the thicker, often matte sleeves players shuffle with. Dragon Shield’s standard sleeves are made for cards up to 63 x 88 mm.
- Penny sleeves are thin, clear and cheap. Ultra Pro’s 100-count penny sleeves are made for 2.5 x 3.5 inch cards up to 35 points thick.
- Perfect fit sleeves are cut close to the card. KMC’s measure 64 x 89 mm and are 0.05 mm thick, made to fit inside KMC’s standard sleeves.
- Small sleeves are the classic mistake. Ultra Pro lists its small sleeves at 62 x 89 mm and states plainly that they will not fit standard Magic: The Gathering or Pokémon cards.
What size top loaders do Pokémon cards need?
The regular top loader for a Pokémon card measures 3 x 4 inches on the outside. Ultra Pro’s version is made for standard 2.5 x 3.5 inch cards up to 35 points thick.
Put the card in a penny sleeve first, then slide it into the top loader. The sleeve keeps the card’s surface off the hard plastic and makes it easier to take out later.
Top loaders also come in thicker versions for thicker cards. Ultra Pro’s range goes from 55pt and 75pt up to 360pt, but regular Pokémon cards go in the standard 35pt size.
Semi-rigid holders and magnetic cases
Two other holders come up once your cards start being worth real money:
- Semi-rigid holders such as Card Saver I are flexible plastic sleeves used for grading submissions. PSA’s shipping guide requires them: each sleeved card goes in a semi-rigid holder, top loaders aren’t allowed, and for standard trading cards the holder must measure 3 5/16 x 4 7/8 inches. If you’re sending cards to be graded, check the latest rules first and run the numbers with our PSA grading cost calculator.
- Magnetic holders, often called one-touch cases, are two-piece display cases that close with a magnet. Ultra Pro’s 35pt ONE-TOUCH holds standard 2.5 x 3.5 inch cards and has UV protection.
How many Pokémon cards fit in a binder or storage box?
Because Pokémon cards are standard size, general trading card storage works for them. A few published capacities:
- 9-pocket binder pages hold nine standard-size cards on each side. Ultra Pro’s Elite Series Pikachu zippered binder, for example, has twenty 9-pocket pages with side-loading pockets and holds up to 360 sleeved cards.
- Cardboard storage boxes are sold by “count,” and the count roughly matches thicker standard trading cards such as sports cards. BCW’s 800-count box holds about 700 standard 20pt trading cards or about 1,140 collectible gaming cards, and its 3200-count box holds 3,200 standard trading cards or 4,800 gaming cards. Pokémon cards are gaming cards, so expect roughly 40% to 50% more of them than the label says.
For a full system for sorting and storing a collection, see our guide on how to organize Pokémon cards.
Which size holder should you use for which card?
Card size is only half the question; the other half is how much protection a card needs. A simple way to match them:
| Card | What to use |
|---|---|
| Bulk commons and uncommons | No sleeve needed; a storage box |
| Cards you want to keep | Penny sleeve, in a binder page or box |
| Valuable singles | Penny sleeve inside a 3 x 4 inch top loader, or a magnetic holder |
| Cards going to PSA for grading | Sleeve inside a semi-rigid holder, per PSA’s rules |
| Cards you play with | Standard deck protector sleeves, double-sleeved if you like |
Measure before you buy
The easiest sizing mistake is with sleeves: a pack labeled “small” or “Japanese” looks right on the shelf and won’t close over a Pokémon card. If you’re unsure, check the card size printed on the package against 63 x 88 mm, or test one sleeve before you sleeve a whole binder.
Once your cards are sleeved and stored, it helps to know which ones deserve a top loader or a magnetic case. TCG Vault’s Pokémon card scanner identifies each card with your iPhone camera and shows its current market price, so you can see at a glance which cards are worth the extra protection.
Frequently asked questions
Do Pokémon cards fit in sports card holders?
Yes. Standard sports cards and Pokémon cards share the 2.5 x 3.5 inch size, so standard penny sleeves, 3 x 4 inch top loaders and 9-pocket pages work for both.
What does 35pt mean on a top loader or magnetic holder?
It's the thickest card the holder is made for, measured in points, so a 35pt holder takes cards up to 35 points thick. Match the holder to the card rather than going bigger, so the card doesn't slide around inside.
Should I double-sleeve my Pokémon cards?
You can, especially for valuable cards. A tight inner sleeve, often sold as perfect fit, goes on first, and a standard sleeve goes over it from the other end. It adds a second layer against dust and spills.
What's the best way to store Pokémon cards long term?
Sleeve every card worth keeping, put valuable cards in top loaders or magnetic holders, and store boxes and binders upright in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Keep reading
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How to Organize Pokémon Cards: Binders, Boxes and Sorting
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Magic: The Gathering Cards Worth Money
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See what your cards are really worth.
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