---
title: What Size Is a Photocard? 85 × 55 mm, but There Is No Official Standard—Fan Exchange Cards and Sleeves Explained
url: https://joelin.cc/en/p/9741
source: https://joelin.cc/en/p/9741
lang: en
pubDate: '2026-10-12'
date_modified: '2026-10-12'
description: The common K-pop photocard size is 85 × 55 mm, but no official standard exists. Learn about fan exchange cards, sleeve sizes, materials, and print bleed.
author: joe
ai_role: ai_only
translation_of: /p/9741
about:
  - name: Photocard
    sameAs:
      - https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107128091
mentions:
  - name: Credit card
    sameAs:
      - https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q161380
  - name: EasyCard
    sameAs:
      - https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q707936
---

# What Size Is a Photocard? 85 × 55 mm, but There Is No Official Standard—Fan Exchange Cards and Sleeves Explained

## Summary

This article covers the dimensions of K-pop album photocards and practical considerations for their accessories. The most common photocard size is 85 × 55 mm (8.5 × 5.5 cm). Its 85 mm long edge is approximately 3.35 inches, so fans colloquially call it a three-inch photocard; both Chinese terms, 三寸小卡 and 3吋小卡, refer to the same conventional size. The central point is that photocards have no official standard. Credit cards, national ID cards, Taiwan National Health Insurance cards, and EasyCards follow the globally uniform ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 dimensions of 85.60 × 53.98 mm. The 85 × 55 mm photocard size is simply an industry convention followed by most companies, so exceptions are common: 88 × 62 mm for some early groups' photocards, 100 × 70 mm for trading-card pack products, 45 × 35 mm for miniature ID-style photos in season's greetings sets, and a 96 × 60 mm default on some Chinese platforms for designing fan support photocards. Fan exchange cards and album photocards are different: photocards are collectibles included by record labels, while fan exchange cards are homemade social cards exchanged at events to introduce yourself and connect with other fans, with no fixed dimensions. Three common sleeve sizes are 86 × 56 mm for snug inner sleeves, 88 × 56 mm for a widely used manufacturer size, and 87.5 × 57.5 mm for standard outer sleeves. Double sleeving requires a compatible inner and outer pair. A homemade photocard design including bleed measures 61 × 91 mm, or 720 × 1,075 pixels at 300 DPI, with a safe area at least 3 mm inside the trim line. Photocards come in paper and PVC. The dimensions in this article come from industry practices and measurements shared by fan communities, rather than announcements by standards bodies.

## Key facts

- The most common photocard size is 85 × 55 mm, or 8.5 × 5.5 cm.
- Three-inch photocards, called 三寸小卡 or 3吋小卡 in Chinese, are the conventional photocard size; the 85 mm long edge is approximately 3.35 inches.
- Photocards have no official standard; 85 × 55 mm is merely an industry convention.
- Credit cards, national ID cards, Taiwan National Health Insurance cards, and EasyCards follow the international ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 standard of 85.60 × 53.98 mm.
- Known exceptions include 88 × 62 mm for some early groups' photocards, 100 × 70 mm for trading-card packs, and 45 × 35 mm for miniature ID-style photos.
- Fan exchange cards are homemade social cards with no fixed dimensions, distinct from album photocards.
- Sleeve sizes include 86 × 56 mm for snug inner sleeves, 88 × 56 mm for a widely used size, and 87.5 × 57.5 mm for standard outer sleeves.
- A homemade photocard print file including bleed measures 61 × 91 mm, or 720 × 1,075 pixels at 300 DPI.

The original Chinese article was published on September 10, 2026, and last updated on October 9, 2026.

People looking up photocard dimensions usually just want a number, so here it is:

The most common size for K-pop album photocards is 85 × 55 mm, or 8.5 × 5.5 cm. This is the size fans mean when they talk about a “three-inch photocard.”

![Photocard and credit-card size comparison: 85 × 55 mm is an industry convention for photocards, with frequent exceptions, while the 85.60 × 53.98 mm dimensions of credit cards and national ID cards follow a globally uniform ISO standard. The difference is less than 1 mm. Known photocard exceptions include 88 × 62, 100 × 70, and 45 × 35 mm.](https://image.joelin.cc/cdn-cgi/imagedelivery/0xu8EsaSar9n3zUKY5d7xw/joelin/2026-09/xiaoka-vs-credit-card-standard/hero)

But the second point is what can trip you up: photocards have no official standard. Unlike credit cards and national ID cards, which have one set of dimensions worldwide, photocards do not. That is why someone can buy sleeves based on dimensions they found online, only to discover that their cards will not fit.

## 1. Complete Photocard Dimensions

| Unit | Portrait (width × height) | Landscape (width × height) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Centimeters (cm) | 5.5 × 8.5 | 8.5 × 5.5 |
| Millimeters (mm) | 55 × 85 | 85 × 55 |
| Inches (in) | 2.17 × 3.35 | 3.35 × 2.17 |
| Pixels (300 DPI) | 650 × 1,004 | 1,004 × 650 |
| Print file including bleed (+3 mm on all four sides) | 61 × 91 mm = 720 × 1,075 px | 91 × 61 mm = 1,075 × 720 px |

There is only one set of numbers to remember from this table: 85 × 55 mm. Portrait and landscape are the same piece of paper turned in different directions, rather than two separate sizes. When you are ready to send a design to print, look at the row that includes bleed. Allow an extra 3 mm on each side so trimming does not cut right up to someone's face.

An easy way to remember it: a photocard is roughly the size of a playing card.

## 2. Why Is It Called a “Three-Inch Photocard”?

A photocard's 85 mm long edge converts to 3.35 inches, which gets rounded colloquially to “three inches.” The Chinese terms “三寸小卡” and “3吋小卡” therefore both refer to the same conventional size, rather than a different set of dimensions. There is no need to convert them again when you encounter either term.

Be aware that “寸” means something different in the photo-printing size system. The same character can correspond to different measurements in different contexts. For photo dimensions, see the [complete size comparison table](/p/9616), and avoid mixing the two systems.

## 3. How Do Photocards Compare with Credit Cards, Business Cards, and Instant Photos?

These four types of cards feel almost indistinguishable in size when held in your hand, yet none has exactly the same dimensions:

| Card type | Dimensions (mm) | Basis for the dimensions |
| --- | --- | --- |
| K-pop album photocard | 85 × 55 | Industry convention; no standard |
| Credit card / national ID card / Taiwan National Health Insurance card / EasyCard | 85.60 × 53.98 | ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 international standard |
| Taiwanese business card | 90 × 54 | Industry convention |
| Instax mini instant photo | 86 × 54 | Manufacturer-defined specification |

The real difference is in the rightmost column, rather than those fractions of a millimeter. Credit cards and national ID cards are governed by the ISO/IEC 7810 international standard, so credit cards worldwide all measure 85.60 × 53.98 mm, without exception. No standards body governs photocards. The 85 × 55 mm size simply happens to be what most companies in the market use.

Both may be described as “about the size of a business card,” but one follows a rule and the other follows a habit. That distinction determines whether you can confidently buy accessories based on the numbers alone. For details of the international standards governing the cards themselves, see [What Size Is a Credit Card?](/p/9887). The differences among the four instant-photo formats are covered in [Instant Photo Sizes](/p/9095).

## 4. With No Standard, Exceptions Are Routine

Without a standard, each company can make its cards whatever size it wants. Here are several exceptions frequently reported in fan communities:

| Type | Dimensions (mm) | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Mainstream album photocard | 85 × 55 | Common practice among most Korean entertainment agencies |
| Photocards from some early groups | 88 × 62 | Close to the size of trading cards such as Pokémon and Magic: The Gathering |
| Trading-card pack products | 100 × 70 | Noticeably larger than an ordinary photocard |
| Miniature ID-style photos in season's greetings sets | 45 × 35 | Much smaller than an ordinary photocard |
| Common default for homemade fan support photocards in China | 96 × 60 | Default dimensions on some online design platforms |

The right way to read this table is to accept one thing, rather than memorize every cell: the most reliable way to find out how big your card actually is is to measure it with a ruler. Any number online is only a reference, including the 85 × 55 mm figure on this page.

## 5. Fan Exchange Cards and Photocards Are Different Things

These two terms often appear together, but they refer to different things:

| Item | Photocard | Fan exchange card |
| --- | --- | --- |
| What it is | A photo card of an idol included with an album or merchandise | A card exchanged at events when meeting fellow fans |
| Who makes it | Record labels and entertainment agencies | Fans or illustrators themselves |
| Main purpose | Collecting | Socializing |
| Dimensions | Usually 85 × 55 mm | No fixed size |

The defining feature of a fan exchange card is that it is a homemade tool for connecting with people, so its dimensions are entirely up to its creator. The most common approach is indeed to use the 85 × 55 mm photocard size, but some people make them the size of postcards, business cards, or promotional art cards known as “cool cards” (酷卡). Fan exchange cards circulated at doujin events are intended for exchanging introductions and making connections, rather than collecting, so consistent dimensions matter less.

A practical suggestion: if you want the recipient to put the card in a binder, use 85 × 55 mm, because that is the default size for all ready-made photocard sleeves and binders. If you want it to stand out as a keepsake, a postcard size may be more eye-catching.

## 6. How to Choose Card Sleeves and Protective Covers

Cards that will not fit into sleeves are the most common practical problem in this topic, because sleeves themselves do not have uniform specifications either. A typical album photocard measuring 55 × 85 mm goes in a 58 × 89 mm protective sleeve, often labeled “3-inch.” For double protection, pair a snug 56 × 86 mm inner sleeve with a 57.5 × 87.5 mm outer sleeve.

There is just one rule for choosing sleeves: each successive layer must be at least as large as the previous layer in both dimensions. If you buy two layers of the same size, the second will never fit over the first.

Universal Music bonus cards, Japanese trading-card pack cards, and postcards each have their own sleeve specifications. Thickness is also expressed using two different units, si (絲) and pt. The full comparison table is in [How to Choose Card Sleeve Sizes](/p/9743). If your card is not the common 85 × 55 mm size, measure it before buying. Do not order simply because the packaging says “universal.”

## 7. What to Watch for When Making Your Own Photocard

Set up your design file using the dimensions including bleed from Section 1: 61 × 91 mm, or 720 × 1,075 pixels at 300 DPI. Extend the background to the bleed line, and keep text and important design elements within a safe area at least 3 mm inside the trim line. That way, an off-center cut will not slice through the text.

If you would rather skip setting up the canvas yourself, you can use the web tool I made, [Fan Support Photocard Maker](https://fansupport.joelin.cc/card/). Upload a photo and drag it to adjust its position. The tool exports a 720 × 1,075-pixel print file using the dimensions including bleed above, and the preview already shows the trim line and safe-area frame.

Photocards on the market come in two materials: paper and PVC. Paper is inexpensive and feels similar to the cards included with albums. PVC is stiff like an EasyCard and resists bending, but costs more. It is generally used for cards intended for long-term collecting or sale.

For software choices and places to print, see [Recommended Apps for Making Fan Support Items](/p/3618). That article organizes suitable tools and printing options separately for photocards, fan banners, and handheld support fans. Photocards designed by fans and printed in small batches to hand out to fellow fans are known in Chinese fan circles as “飯制,” meaning fan-made. For how they differ from official photocards and unofficial merchandise, see [What Does 飯制 Mean?](/p/3673).

Another common homemade card is a pocket card printed with a mobile barcode for electronic invoices. Its sizing follows the same logic as a photocard, but the barcode itself has separate requirements: eight characters, Code 39, and the barcode's contents printed beneath it. The “60 × 20 mm with three sections of text below” guidance commonly found online comes from an older version; the current rules do not specify dimensions. For instructions, see [How to Print a Mobile Barcode](/p/9745). If you want to combine your mobile barcode and your own photo on one card, the same tool also offers an [e-invoice carrier card template](https://fansupport.joelin.cc/card/?type=carrier).

## 8. How to Interpret the Numbers on This Page

This deserves its own explanation: the photocard and sleeve dimensions in this article come from industry practices, printing platforms' default settings, and measurements shared by fan communities. None is a specification announced by a standards body, because no standards body governs photocards in the first place.

By contrast, the ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1 dimensions mentioned here, 85.60 × 53.98 mm, are a genuine international standard and can be used as a benchmark. These two kinds of figures have different foundations, so treat them separately when citing them.

The practical conclusion remains the same: before ordering sleeves or sending a design to print, measure the card you have.

Article keywords: photocard size, fan exchange card size, three-inch photocard, fan support photocard, card sleeve size, photocard bleed, ISO 7810 ID-1

## Frequently asked questions

### What size is a photocard in centimeters?

The most common size is 8.5 × 5.5 cm (85 × 55 mm). Portrait and landscape are simply the same piece of paper turned in different directions, rather than two separate sizes.

### How big is a three-inch photocard?

It is the conventional 85 × 55 mm photocard. The 85 mm long edge is approximately 3.35 inches, rounded colloquially to three inches. It is not a different size.

### Is a photocard the same size as a credit card?

They are very close, but not identical. A credit card measures 85.60 × 53.98 mm, while a photocard measures 85 × 55 mm. The difference is that credit cards follow the globally uniform ISO/IEC 7810 international standard, while photocards have no standard and follow only an industry convention.

### Are fan exchange cards and photocards the same thing?

No. Photocards are photos of idols included with albums by record labels for collecting. Fan exchange cards are homemade cards that fans exchange at events to introduce themselves and connect with other fans, with no fixed dimensions. Most use the 85 × 55 mm photocard size, but some are made in postcard or business-card sizes.

### What size sleeve should I buy?

Snug inner sleeves measure 86 × 56 mm, the most common size for single sleeving is 88 × 56 mm, and standard outer sleeves measure 87.5 × 57.5 mm. For double sleeving, choose a compatible inner and outer pair. If both sleeves are the same size, one will not fit inside the other.

### What dimensions should I use when designing my own photocard?

Use 61 × 91 mm including bleed, allowing an extra 3 mm on each of the four sides. At 300 DPI, this is 720 × 1,075 pixels. Keep text and important design elements at least 3 mm inside the trim line.