Place Card Sizes: Complete Guide to Standard Dimensions
Choosing the right place card size is one of the first decisions when planning printable place cards. This guide focuses on the formats that matter most for home printing and spreadsheet-driven event workflows.
Most Common Place Card Sizes
1. Tent Card (Folded) — 3.5" × 2" (Most Popular)
The standard place card size for weddings and formal dinners. Printed on a 3.5" × 4" sheet, then folded in half to create a 3.5" wide × 2" tall tent that stands on the table.
- Best for: Wedding receptions, formal dinners, seated gala events
- Avery equivalent: Avery 5302 (packaged as pre-scored 3.5" × 4" cards)
- Paper: 65 lb cardstock recommended
2. Small Tent Card — 2.5" × 1.5"
A smaller folded card, often used when table space is limited or you only need a compact guest-name display.
- Best for: Smaller receptions, intimate dinners, compact table layouts
- Avery equivalent: Avery 5388
- Paper: 65 lb or 80 lb cardstock
3. Flat Place Card — 4" × 1.5"
A flat, non-folded card that slides into a card holder or frame. Sleeker look for modern or minimalist events.
- Best for: Contemporary weddings, corporate events, upscale restaurants
- Card holders: Typically 4" wide metal or acrylic holders
4. Flat Place Card — 3.5" × 2" (Business Card Size)
Standard business card dimensions repurposed as flat place cards. Easy to print on business card sheets.
- Best for: Casual events, budget-friendly options
- Avery equivalent: Avery 5371 (business cards, 10 per sheet)
5. Large Place Card / Escort Card — 4" × 6"
Larger format used for escort cards that include table names or table numbers, or for highly visible display setups.
- Best for: Large weddings, escort card tables, statement signage
- Paper: Index card stock or cardstock
Avery Place Card Size Reference
| Avery Product | Size (folded) | Cards per sheet | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avery 5302 | 3.5" × 2" | 4 per sheet | Most popular tent card |
| Avery 5388 | 2.5" × 1.5" | 8 per sheet | Small tent card |
| Avery 5371 | 3.5" × 2" (flat) | 10 per sheet | Business card size, flat |
| Avery 8386 | 4" × 3" | 2 per sheet | Large tent card |
Which Sizes Matter Most for PlaceCard.us?
If you are using PlaceCard.us, the most practical sizes are:
- Avery 5302 for traditional folded place cards
- Avery 5388 / 6 per sheet for compact printable cards
- 4" × 6" escort cards when the table assignment needs to be prominent
Those three cover most wedding and event use cases on the site.
International / Metric Place Card Sizes
For events outside the US, common metric sizes include:
| Format | Dimensions | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A7 tent card | 74mm × 105mm (folded) | Most common European tent card |
| A6 tent card | 105mm × 148mm (folded) | Larger European format |
| DL tent card | 99mm × 210mm (flat) | Long flat format |
How to Choose the Right Size
For weddings with 50+ guests: Use standard 3.5" × 2" tent cards (Avery 5302). They're easy to set up on any table and large enough to read from a standing position.
For intimate dinner parties (under 20 guests): Smaller tent cards (2.5" × 1.5") or custom flat cards look more refined at smaller tables.
For corporate events: Flat 4" × 1.5" cards in metal holders look professional and modern. Include name + title + company.
For kids' events and classrooms: Larger flat cards (4" × 2.5") are easier for kids to read and can include seat numbers.
Printing Tips for Perfect Place Cards
- Always use cardstock — at least 65 lb (175 gsm). Regular printer paper will flop over.
- Test print first — print one sheet, hold it up to your purchased Avery sheet, and check alignment before printing your full run.
- Use print preview — make sure your PDF is set to print at 100% scale (not "fit to page").
- Score before folding — use a bone folder or butter knife along a ruler to get a crisp, professional fold on tent cards.
Create Place Cards in the Right Size
Our place card maker supports standard sizes, Avery-compatible layouts, and spreadsheet import. Pick the size first, then import your guest list and export a print-ready PDF.