Playing cards are used around the world in many different games like poker, rummy, go fish, solitaire, and many others.
Most people are familiar with playing cards but not too many people can tell you the size of a playing card if asked.
They would most likely say around 3 or 4 inches long and 2 inches wide. Which is a close guess.
In reality, a standard playing card is 3.5 inches long x 2.25 inches wide. Which is equal to 8.89 centimeters long x 5.71 centimeters wide.
Not all playing cards are the same size. Keep reading to find out more.
What is a playing card?
A playing card is a rectangular piece of thin cardboard used for playing a variety of card games and performing magic tricks.
These cards are also made out of stock paper and plastic-coated paper. Each card will contain a number or letter on the front combined with an illustration known as a suit in either a black or red color.
The backs of each card will have a variety of designs, patterns, and colors depending on the deck you are using.
Playing card thickness
The common 3.5” x 2.25” playing card will have a thickness range of 0.17mm – 0.24mm. The thickness of a full deck of 52 playing cards is between 8.5mm – 12.48mm or 0.33 – 0.49 inches without the box.
Dimensions of a box of playing cards
A deck of 52 playing cards will normally come packaged in a cardboard box. This will slightly add to the size of the full deck.
The length of a full deck of cards inside the package is around 90 millimeters or 3.54 inches. The width is 65 millimeters or 2.55 inches and the thickness is around 10 millimeters or 0.39 inches.
Are all playing cards the same size?
As mentioned, not all playing cards are the same size. For example, the standard playing card has dimensions of 3.5” long x 2.25 wide” (8.89 cm x 5.71 cm).
A poker card has the dimensions of 3.5” long x 2.5” wide (8.89 cm x 6.35 cm). It’s not much of a difference but the extra width of a poker card is a big deal for poker players and affects the way you play the game.
Here is an example of poker-size playing cards.
Why are there 52 cards in a deck?
Some people will have different views on why there are 52 cards in a deck. But historians believe the 52 cards represent the 52 weeks in one calendar year.
Why are there 4 suits in a deck of cards?
Again, some people have a variety of beliefs for why there are 4 suits in a deck of cards.
Most believe the 4 suits represent the 4 seasons of the year while others believe it represents 4 elements and 4 compass directions.
It is also known to represent the 4 classes of medieval society.
There are several other theories out there.
What are there 13 cards per suit in each deck of playing cards?
The 13 cards in each suit represent the 13 phases of the lunar cycles.
Did you know? There is no #1 card in a deck of playing cards. #2 is the lowest number. The Ace is often considered to replace the #1 in certain games.