Plastic card thickness explained 760, 570 or 850 micron?
What the numbers mean, how they convert to millimetres and mil, and which thickness suits which card.
Thicknesses
| Thickness | Also written | What it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| 760 micron | 0.76mm · 30 mil | Standard bank-card thickness — rigid, durable, works in readers and printers |
| 570 micron | 0.57mm · about 22 mil | Lighter, more flexible budget and promotional cards |
| 820–850 micron | 0.82–0.85mm | Cards with a chip or antenna inlay, where the construction adds thickness |
Microns & mil
Plastic card thickness is measured in microns (thousandths of a millimetre) in the UK and mil (thousandths of an inch) in the US. 760 micron = 0.76mm = 30 mil — the thickness of a bank card, and what our prices are based on.
Thicker isn’t automatically better. 760 micron is what wallets, card printers and swipe readers expect. Thinner cards feel cheaper and bend; thicker cards are usually a consequence of embedded technology rather than a design choice.
Which to choose
- Business, membership, loyalty, gift, ID: 760 micron.
- NFC and chip cards: the inlay can take the card above 760 micron — we confirm the finished thickness for the stock.
- Giveaways and inserts where cost matters more than feel: ask about thinner stock.
Not sure? Order a short run or a sample pack and feel the difference.
FAQs
How thick is a credit card?
0.76mm — 760 micron or 30 mil (ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1).
Is 760 micron better than 570?
For anything kept and handled, yes: it’s more rigid and works in standard readers. 570 micron suits lighter promotional use.
Are NFC cards thicker?
They can be. The chip and antenna inlay can add thickness — we confirm the finished figure for your stock.
Know what you need? Price it.
The quote builder shows the price as you choose stock, extras and quantity.