A guide to the different sizes of Magic cards
Want to know the size of Magic cards? It’s easy to get lost in the world of the Gathering, so we’ve assembled this guide to clarify the different sizes of cards in Magic: The Gathering.
Magic: The Gathering cards come in a number of sizes and variations, with the most common size being 2.5 inches wide and 3.5 inches tall. There are also a variety of oversized cards that measure up to 5 inches by 7 inches.
Of course, there are plenty of other sizes of cards in Magic, including Alpha cards with a different corner radius and Vanguard cards from 1997 that function like commander cards with unique rule modifications. We’ll also cover the rules for special formats that use Planeschase and Archenemy cards. Plus, we’ll look at those oversized cards you get at conventions or as prizes for tournaments, including the Arena League promo cards that ran from 1997 to 1999.
Magic card sizes
Here are the different sizes of cards in Magic:
Alpha cards were the very first cards in the game, starting with Alpha: Village of Haven in July 1993. These cards all have a unique corner radius, which is handy if you want to quickly identify them.
Oversized cards, also known as big cards, are larger versions of the standard land, creature, and instant and sorcery cards. These are typically 3 inches by 5 inches, although the Eighth Edition oversized dual lands were 3.5 inches by 5.5 inches.
Vanguard cards were released in 1997 and function similarly to commander cards. They have unique rule modifications, such as making all damage dealt to you 1 life and adding a life total of 30.
Planeschase cards are oversized cards that are used for a special format of Magic that involves using a Plane card at the beginning of each game.
Archenemy cards are also oversized and are used for a special format of Magic where a single player, known as the archenemy, uses a deck filled with powerful cards that affect the game in negative ways for the players.
Arena League promo cards are the rarest of the commons from the Mirage block. These oversized cards were handed out as rewards for tournaments.
These oversized cards, released to promote Magic and new set releases in the late ’90s, were 6 inches by 9 inches and handed out as tournament prizes.
Promotional cards that were used to decorate stores to promote the game and new set releases were also 9 inches by 12 inches.
The original box-topper cards were randomly inserted into Eighth Edition booster boxes and are the largest standard-legal cards, at 4 inches by 6 inches.
These were smaller versions of the box-toppers that were used at conventions and events to promote the game, including a selection of the Ninth Edition box-toppers.
And there you have it, every size of Magic card you could imagine, from Alpha cards to oversized cards that decorate gaming stores. If you want to know about the different rarities of Magic cards, be sure to read up on the mythic rarity.
