What size is a library catalog card

The standard library catalog card is 3x5 inches, or 7.5 x 12.5 cm in the international version, held horizontally (wider than it is tall). Some home and craft catalogs use larger 4x6 or 5x8 index cards for extra writing room. Card Catalog Generator prints at 5x3, 6x4, 8x5 inches or A7 (4.13x2.91 in), and every download keeps its true dimensions.

Why are catalog cards 3x5 inches?

Libraries settled on one card size in the late 1800s so that cabinets, typewriters and printed cards from different suppliers would all fit together. The metric 7.5 x 12.5 cm card is close enough to 3x5 inches that the two are treated as the same size in practice. Most cards also had a small hole punched near the bottom edge. A rod ran through the holes in a drawer so nobody could pull a card out and walk off with it.

Because the whole system was built around that one size, a vintage card catalog drawer is usually just over 3 inches tall inside and about 5 inches wide. A larger card simply will not drop in.

Which size should I choose in the generator?

Pick the size by where the card will live, not by how much you want to say.

• 5x3 in: the classic library card. Choose this for a real catalog drawer, a recipe-style card box, or anything meant to look authentic.
• 6x4 in: a little more room for a long title or a synopsis. Fits standard 4x6 photo boxes and index card files.
• 8x5 in: the roomiest option. Good for reading notes, display cards on a shelf, or a journal page.
• A7 (4.13x2.91 in): a common size outside the US and a near match for small European card boxes.

If you turn on Show Hole Punch, the generator draws a hole at the bottom center and keeps the text clear of it, so you can punch the real thing in the same spot. On a small card with a long title, the title wraps and ends in "..." when it runs out of space, so a bigger size is the easy fix if your text keeps getting cut.

How do I print a card at the right size?

Download the PDF, since it is set to the card's real dimensions. In the print dialog, choose Actual size or 100% scale. "Fit to page" will stretch or shrink the card, and it is the most common reason a printed card comes out the wrong size. Print on letter or A4 cardstock and trim along the edge, or feed precut index cards if your printer accepts them. Measure the first one with a ruler before you print the rest.

FAQ

Is a catalog card the same size as an index card?

The classic catalog card and the common 3x5 index card share the same dimensions, so blank index cards are an easy stand-in. Real library cards were often heavier stock.

Will a 4x6 card fit in an old card catalog drawer?

Usually not. Antique drawers are sized for 3x5 cards, so measure the inside of your drawer before choosing anything larger.

What size is the hole on a catalog card?

It varies by maker, and there is no single size you must match. A standard single hole punch works well; line it up with the circle the generator draws.