You just want sleeves that fit your MTG cards. Reasonable. Unfortunately, sleeve companies love using terms like standard, poker, perfect fit, and Japanese size like they’re casting a fog and hoping you forget the question.
Let’s fix that.
TLDR
- Regular MTG cards are about 63 x 88 mm (roughly 2.5″ x 3.5″).
- Buy Standard size sleeves (often listed around 66 x 91 mm) for basically every normal MTG card you play.
- If you double-sleeve, your inner sleeves are usually Perfect Fit, around 64 x 89 mm.
- Do not buy Japanese size sleeves (they’re for smaller cards like Yu-Gi-Oh).
- For oversized MTG cards (Planechase, Archenemy schemes, some oversized commanders), look for 3.5″ x 5″ oversized sleeves.
Standard MTG card size (the one you actually play with)
A “normal” Magic card is roughly 63 x 88 mm. That includes your Commander deck, draft deck, tokens, most DFCs, and your embarrassing pile of “I’ll build this someday” rares.
So when you’re shopping for sleeves, you want sleeves labeled one of these:
- Standard size
- Poker size
- MTG / TCG size
- Standard trading card size
If you see that, you’re in the right aisle.
The sleeve size you should buy for 99% of decks
For normal MTG play, you want Standard size outer sleeves, which are commonly around 66 x 91 mm.
That extra space is intentional. Your card is about 63 x 88 mm, so the sleeve needs a little wiggle room so you’re not cramming cardboard like you’re trying to fit a bulk rare into a top loader sideways.
Commander tip: how many sleeves do you need?
- 60-card deck: buy a 100-pack anyway (you’ll want spares, and you’ll lose a sleeve to a bad shuffle sooner than you think).
- Commander (100 cards): grab at least 110 to 120 sleeves total if you can. Spares are life, especially if you use the same deck box for years.
If you’re still getting your EDH fundamentals locked in, you might also like our “How to Build a Commander Deck (MTG)” article on MTGEDH.com.
Inner sleeves for double-sleeving (Perfect Fit)
If you’re protecting pricy cards, foils, or you just like your deck feeling like a brick (respect), double-sleeving is the move.
Here’s the simple rule:
- Inner sleeves: usually called Perfect Fit, around 64 x 89 mm
- Outer sleeves: standard size, around 66 x 91 mm
Which inner sleeve style should you pick?
- Top-loading perfect fits: easiest and common. Good protection.
- Side-loading perfect fits: reduces the “open top” exposure, popular for extra spill protection.
- Sealable inners: the full raincoat option. Great protection, slightly more annoying to sleeve.
If you’ve ever watched a drink get set down next to a Commander pod, you already know why people do this.
What not to buy: Japanese size sleeves
If the product says Japanese size, it’s meant for smaller cards (roughly 59 x 86 mm). Those sleeves will be too tight for MTG cards. You might get one in, but it’ll feel like forcing a Sol Ring into a deck box that’s already full.
So unless you’re sleeving a different game, skip Japanese size for Magic.
Oversized MTG cards (Planechase, Archenemy, oversized commanders)
Most players never need these, but if you do, standard sleeves will not help you.
Oversized MTG cards are commonly around 3.5″ x 5″ (think Planechase planes and Archenemy schemes). For those, you want sleeves labeled:
- Oversized 3.5″ x 5″
- Planechase / Archenemy sleeves
- Oversized Commander sleeves
One annoying note: some “oversized” products list slightly larger measurements to make loading easier, so don’t panic if you see numbers that look a hair bigger than the card itself.
Storage sleeves vs play sleeves (penny sleeves, binders, and top loaders)
Quick distinction:
- Play sleeves: shuffle well, consistent size, usually opaque backs (great for DFC privacy).
- Penny sleeves: cheap, loose, great for storage, terrible for shuffling a real deck.
- Top loaders / semi-rigids: for shipping or protecting singles, not gameplay.
If you’re filing cards into binders, penny sleeves can work, but “perfect fit” style sleeves often look cleaner and reduce binder page bulge.
Quick buying checklist
- Sleeving a normal MTG deck (Commander, Draft, Modern, whatever)? Buy Standard size sleeves.
- Double-sleeving? Add Perfect Fit inner sleeves.
- Playing a lot of double-faced cards and going to events? Consider opaque-backed outer sleeves.
- Need to sleeve Planechase or Archenemy? Buy Oversized 3.5″ x 5″ sleeves.
- Unsure? Look for the phrase “fits cards up to 63 x 88 mm”. That’s your green light.
If you’re also picking up supplies for a new deck build, MTGEDH.com’s “Where to Buy MTG Booster Packs” guide can help you avoid some classic shopping traps.
FAQs
Do MTG cards use “standard” or “poker” sleeves?
Yes. MTG cards are the standard trading card size. “Standard” and “poker size” sleeves are the right fit.
Are Dragon Shield, Ultra PRO, and other brands the same size?
They all target standard size, but the exact sleeve dimensions can vary slightly. That’s normal and still fits MTG cards.
What sleeves do I need for a 100-card Commander deck?
Standard size sleeves. Buy at least 110 to 120 so you have spares.
Do tokens need different sleeves?
No. Most MTG tokens are the same size as regular cards, so standard sleeves fit.