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Most ID cards, staff badges and membership cards in the UK are the same size as a bank card. This guide explains that size, the thickness options and the card materials we stock at Plastic-ID, so the blanks you order fit your printer, holders and readers first time.
What size is a standard ID card?
A standard ID card measures 85.60 x 53.98 mm. In everyday use that is rounded to 85.6 x 54 mm. Many product labels round it again to 86 x 54 mm. The international standard ISO/IEC 7810 calls this format ID-1 and gives it rounded corners with a radius of about 3.18 mm. In inches it works out at 3.375 x 2.125.
CR80 is the trade name for exactly the same card. Printer makers, card suppliers and holder makers all use it, so a CR80 card and an ID-1 card are one and the same.
Why bank cards, licences and staff badges match
Payment cards use the ID-1 format too, with extra rules for the magnetic stripe and embossing set out in ISO/IEC 7813. The UK photocard driving licence shares the same footprint. Because so many cards share one size, everything around them has grown up to suit it: wallets, readers, desktop printers and the card holders worn on lanyards and clips.
Other card sizes you may come across
ISO/IEC 7810 also defines larger formats for travel and identity documents. Card suppliers use a few CR names that sit outside the standard too.
| Card size | Standard | Size in mm | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| CR80 (ID-1) | ISO/IEC 7810 | 85.60 x 53.98 | Staff ID, membership cards, bank cards, photocard driving licences |
| ID-2 | ISO/IEC 7810 | 105 x 74 | Larger identity documents (the same footprint as A7 paper) |
| ID-3 | ISO/IEC 7810 | 125 x 88 | Passport data pages |
| CR79 | Industry size, not an ISO format | about 84 x 52 | Thin adhesive cards stuck onto a proximity card |
| Large event badge | No ISO format | 90 x 140 | Event passes worn on a lanyard |
CR79 is worth knowing about. It is slightly smaller than CR80 so that a thin adhesive card can sit on top of a thicker proximity card without overhanging its edges. Our own self adhesive cards are full CR80 size in white PVC with a peel-off back, made to stick onto a plain proximity card so it can carry a printed photo ID.
Card thickness: 760 micron and thinner options
The ISO/IEC 7810 thickness for an ID-1 card is 0.76 mm. UK suppliers usually write this as 760 micron, while American datasheets call it 30 mil (thousandths of an inch). It gives a rigid card that feels like a bank card.
- 760 micron: the standard weight. Our plain white 760 micron PVC cards suit everyday staff and student ID.
- 480 micron: a thinner, lighter card. Our 480 micron white PVC cards are still CR80 size, which makes them a good fit for loyalty cards, event tickets and short-term passes.
- 320 micron: our FOTODEK slot punch adhesive cards are 320 micron PVC with a portrait slot.
Check the printer specification before ordering an unusual thickness. Most ID card printers are set up for 760 micron cards. Many also accept thinner stock within a range given on the datasheet.
Card materials compared
Size and thickness decide whether a card fits. Material decides how well it lasts.
- PVC: the everyday material for printed ID. It takes dye sublimation print well with a smooth, bright surface. Browse our PVC cards for white and coloured options.
- Composite: our blank white composite cards are PVC with a 40% polyester core at 760 micron. The polyester adds flex and strength, so the card copes with outdoor use and frequent swiping.
- PET core with a magnetic stripe: we stock a 760 micron white card with a 40% PET polyester core plus a Lo-Co stripe, for cards that are swiped as well as printed. More choice sits in our magnetic stripe cards range.
- Biodegradable PVC: FOTODEK biodegradable PVC cards are 760 micron CR80 cards that print like standard PVC yet break down when placed in the right conditions.
- Paperboard: enviricard paperboard cards are CR80 size, plastic free and recyclable. They work with a range of desktop ID card printers.
Punched cards and holders
A slot or a hole lets a card hang from a clip, a badge reel or a lanyard. We stock CR80 PVC cards already punched in landscape or portrait, such as our slot punched 760 micron cards. If the card will live in a holder you can skip the punch altogether. A standard CR80 holder takes any ID-1 card, protecting the print without cutting into it.
If you would rather not print in-house, our plastic card printing service produces finished CR80 cards to your design. A quick summary of blank card specifications sits on our plastic cards page.
Frequently asked questions
Is an ID card the same size as a credit card?
Yes. Both use the ID-1 format from ISO/IEC 7810, which measures 85.60 x 53.98 mm. A CR80 ID card will fit anywhere a bank card fits.
What does CR80 mean?
CR80 is the industry name for the ID-1 card size. It describes the same 85.6 x 54 mm card with rounded corners, used on printer and card datasheets.
How thick is a standard ID card?
A standard ID card is 0.76 mm thick, written as 760 micron in the UK and 30 mil on American datasheets.
Will a CR79 card work in my ID card printer?
Not always. Some printers take CR79 cards after an adjustment while others accept CR80 only. Check the printer datasheet first or ask us before you order.
Do standard card holders fit a CR80 card?
Yes. Standard ID card holders are made for CR80 cards.
Need help choosing a card?
Not sure which card suits your printer or your door readers? Email our team at sales@plastic-id.com or call 0203 744 2333. We can check a sample card for you before you order.