business cards collections

Business Card Sizes Explained: Which One Works Best for Your Industry in the UAE?

Walk into any trade show in Dubai, and you’ll see it a sea of suits, dazzling booths, and one little thing that still rules the networking game: the business card. It is more than simply contact information in a market that values interactions between individuals. It's your opening pitch, charisma, and brand mood all packed into a few square inches of cardboard.

However, not every type of business card is the same. Dimensions are important. The shape is important. And you certainly know that if you've ever misplaced a card that didn't fit in the wallet or, worse, been given one that appeared to be a print shop waste.

Versatile Sizes for Business Cards

Let’s break down business card size in cm to in that actually works with a UAE-specific lens.

Business Card Types

Dimensions in mm

Dimensions in inches

Standard business card

90 x 54 mm

3.54 x 2.13 inches 

Mini business card

70 x 28 mm

2.75 x 1.10 inches 

Square business card

65 x 65 mm

2.56 x 2.56 inches 

Rounded corner card

90 x 54 mm

3.54 x 2.13 inches 

Vertical card

54 x 90 mm

2 x 3.5 inches 

Folded business card


3.5 x 4 inches folded in half 

Standard Business Card

standard business card dubai

Dimensions (in mm): 90 x 54 mm
Dimensions (in inches): 3.54 x 2.13 inch

Best for: Most commonly used across all industries but particularly appreciated in finance authorities/banking, law firms, and government offices.

On the one hand, it slips into a cardholder and is easy to carry in your wallet. On the other hand, it features ample space to include dual-language information.

A crisp, simple standard card with capitalised characters and appropriate structure fosters a professional attitude in DIFC boardrooms or UAE banking summits, as well as reflecting precision. The standard visiting card size in cm- commonly accepted across the UAE - makes it ideal for most industries due to its familiarity and widespread use.

Mini Business Cards

mini business card

Dimensions (in mm): 70 x 28 mm
Dimensions (in inches): 2.75 x 1.10 inch

Best for: Creative agencies, startups, lifestyle brands, and minimalist themes.

The quirky appearance and narrow shape of these little cards make them stand out, as they feel purposeful and chic. For no-frills brands that don't need to holler, it works well. But be mindful that there isn't much room, so your message needs to be exact enough on these space-saving tools.

Need to know more about their functionality? They work brilliantly for loyalty cards, table-side networking, or carry-along promos.

Square Business Card

square business card

Dimensions (in mm): 65 x 65 mm
Dimensions (in inches): 2.56 x 2.56 inch

Best for: Fashion, beauty, cosmetics, influencer gifting, and boutique brands.

Square cards are in order, symmetrical, and straight away convey an elite look. While not your standard business card size, they are commonly used in the fashion and lifestyle industries. Think handmade jewelry brands at Ripe Market or personalised scents in Jumeirah.

A compact and on-brand square card feels more like a product tag than a business credential in a beauty or health context; it feels curated and personal.

💡 Tip: Looking for creative square business card ideas? You can opt for textured paper, minimalist fonts, or even a perfume swatch-style layout. Anything that aligns with your product’s mood!

Rounded Corner Card (Standard Size with Rounded Edges)

rounded corner card

Dimensions (in mm): 90 x 54 mm
Dimensions (in inches): 3.54 x 2.13 inches

Best for: Hospitality, travel concierge services, and event management.

Cards with rounded corners are easier to handle and have a softer appearance. Imagine receiving an elegant yet classy, rounded-edge card from a posh resort in Ras Al Khaimah; it sets a professional, decent, and guest-first impression right away.

Vertical Business Card

vertical business card

Dimensions (in mm): 54 x 90 mm
Dimensions (in inches): 2 x 3.5 inches

Best for: Real estate, architects, and high-end consultants.

For professionals based in the United Arab Emirates who wish to defy norms, a vertical layout feels bold, honed, and trend-savvy. Vertical space is frequently used by architects and advisors to create a visual hierarchy - a neatly stacked picture, name, position, and QR code.

Folded Business Card | Tent Fold

folded business card

Dimensions (in inches): 3.5 x 4 inches folded in half

Best for: Corporate trainers, healthcare, and consultants.

Real pro-business cards!

Professionals who need to provide additional information, a service list, several contact details, or a brief pitch might benefit significantly from folded cards in a variety of business card sizes. Consultants tend to pick folded cards in a B2B-heavy city like Abu Dhabi in order to provide a more thorough introduction without requiring a brochure.

It is recommended that you save the inner panels for supporting information and use the front panel as your visual hook.

Die-Cut Cards (Custom Shapes)

Do you want a cupcake-shaped card? A swatch of paint? A lens for a camera? A uniquely cut horizontal business card?

Die-cut cards can be your conversation starters. Moreover, they require a solid design logic to support their memorability. Creative shapes urge interactions, which is beneficial for businesses in cutthroat sectors like F&B, interior, and beauty.

Word of Caution: Don’t sacrifice legibility for visiting card size. Balance creativity with clear contact information.

General Design Guidelines (Applicable to All Sizes)

Element

Specification

Bleed Area

Add 3mm bleed on all sides. Example: for a 90×54mm card, design as 96×60mm.

Safe Zone

Keep text and logos at least 3 mm inside from the trim line.

Resolution

Minimum 300 DPI for clear print quality.

Color Mode

Use CMYK (not RGB) for accurate color reproduction in print.

Font Size

Don’t go below 7pt for readability. Headings should be between 11 - 14pt.

File Format

Final files should be exported as PDFs with crop marks and bleeds or AI/CDR.

Best Practices and Practical Design Tips

  • Choose a clean layout. Landscape is recommended unless branding strongly supports vertical.
  • Don’t overcrowd the display with written content.
  • For style, prefer using only sans-serif or clean serif fonts.
  • Include only one contact method.
  • Keep images neat.
  • Use a scannable QR code to increase visitors to a website or portfolio.
  • Texture can lend an aura of luxury.
  • 300 - 350 GSM matte or glossy card stock stands tall in durability. But for a
  • premium finish, opt for 400+ GSM with soft-touch lamination.
  • Recycled kraft options are the best bet for green companies.
  • Use Arabic & English if you serve a bilingual audience.
  • Match font and color palette with brand materials or office stationery.

Spacing and Font Clarity per Business Card Dimensions

Don't focus just on the color and logo while creating your card. The “spacing” is the actual pro move. Well, that starts with understanding standard visiting card dimensions in cm. So, here’s what separates good from great:

  • White space isn’t wasted space when it comes to business card size. In fact, it highlights crucial details. The enemy of professionalism is clutter.
  • Maintain readable font sizes by avoiding dropping below 7 points. Simple, readable typefaces are preferred over curly letters, even by high-priced businesses.
  • Make use of hierarchy. It should be your name. Next, your role. Next, your contact. Avoid making all the noise at once!
  • Margin matters! To prevent important content from being cut off during printing, leave a minimum of 3 mm of space for safety on all sides.

Closing Thoughts

Your business card isn’t just a formality; it’s a handshake you leave behind. In the UAE, where impressions are sharp and opportunities are plenty, investing in the right business card size aligned with your industry speaks louder than you think.

Stick with the standard if you’re in the formal sector. Go bold if your brand thrives on creativity. Either way, your choice of size isn’t just about dimensions; it’s about positioning.

Need help designing your card for a UAE audience? Confused about choosing a visiting card size? Get in touch with Half Price Print; we know local trends and offer expert business card printing and designs that work in-hand and in business. Besides, after this guide, you won’t be asking what the dimensions of a business card are.

Madinah Ahmed

Lead Content Writer

I'm a content junkie who lives for sharp hooks and killer headlines. I turn dry briefs into punchy, scroll-worthy stories that actually get read. From blog intros to detailed guides, I write words that work hard and play harder. For me, content is the playground and Google’s front page is the goal.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.