Published: July 2026
Every standard hotel key card is 85.6 × 54 mm — exactly the size of a credit card. The format has a name: ISO/IEC 7810 CR-80, the standard covering identification-card physical characteristics. The footprint alone does not guarantee reader or encoder compatibility; chip, antenna, encoding, thickness and accessory fit must also be checked. Here are the exact numbers in every unit, plus the two cases where hotel cards deliberately deviate: wooden cards and custom shapes.
Standard Hotel Key Card Dimensions
| Measurement | Millimeters | Centimeters | Inches |
|---|---|---|---|
| Width | 85.60 mm | 8.56 cm | 3.370" |
| Height | 53.98 mm | 5.4 cm | 2.125" |
| Thickness (PVC / recycled PVC / BioBoard) | 0.76 mm | 0.076 cm | 0.030" (30 mil) |
| Thickness (genuine wood) | 1.1–1.2 mm | 0.11–0.12 cm | 0.043–0.047" |
| Corner radius | 3.18 mm | 0.318 cm | 0.125" |
Why these numbers? CR-80 dates back to the original bank card specification, and the entire access-control industry standardized around it. CR-80 is widely used for hotel cards and accessories. For a selected construction, including recycled PVC or BioBoard, confirm the specified dimensions, tolerances and equipment fit.
The same CR-80 format is used well beyond hotels. Our specialist partners apply these card materials to RFID student ID cards and RFID cards for EV charging.
Why Wooden Key Cards Are Slightly Thicker
Wooden key cards run 1.1–1.2 mm thick — about 50% thicker than PVC — because real wood needs the extra body to protect the embedded RFID inlay and resist flexing. The width and height follow the CR-80 footprint, but reader compatibility also depends on the chip, antenna and encoding. Check the thicker finished card against the selected encoder, any insert-style reader and its sleeve. The extra heft is part of the appeal: guests consistently describe wooden cards as feeling more premium than plastic.
Custom Shapes and Non-Standard Sizes
RFID changed the rules: since nothing needs to swipe through a slot, a tap card can be almost any shape that fits the antenna. We produce leaf-shaped cards, rounded and animal-shaped kids' cards, and oversized VIP formats. Two practical constraints: the RFID antenna needs roughly a 40 × 25 mm clear area, and anything non-CR-80 will not fit standard sleeves or cardholders — so most properties keep custom shapes for special occasions and stay CR-80 for daily room keys. Shape options are covered on our custom hotel key cards page.
Artwork Specifications for Key Card Printing
Designing artwork for hotel key cards? These are the specs our prepress team asks for:
- Trim size: 85.6 × 54 mm
- Bleed: add 2 mm on all sides — artwork file 89.6 × 58 mm
- Safe zone: keep text and logos 3 mm inside the trim edge
- Resolution: 300 dpi minimum at final size
- Color: CMYK (Pantone spot colors supported — we verify with a spectrometer on press)
- Fonts: outlined/converted to curves
No design team? Our in-house designers set up print-ready artwork from your brand guidelines as part of the free design service.
Key Card Sleeve Sizing
Standard key card sleeves are cut slightly larger than CR-80 — typically 90 × 60 mm — so cards slide in easily while staying put. For thicker wooden cards, check a finished sample in the selected sleeve; the extra 0.4 mm of card thickness must be allowed for in its usable capacity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are hotel key cards the same size as credit cards?
Yes — identical. Both follow ISO/IEC 7810 CR-80: 85.6 × 54 mm with 0.76 mm thickness. That is why hotel key cards fit perfectly in wallet card slots.
What is the hotel key card size in cm?
8.56 × 5.4 cm, with a thickness of 0.076 cm for standard PVC cards.
What is the hotel key card size in inches?
3.370 × 2.125 inches, 0.030 inches (30 mil) thick.
Do all hotel lock systems require CR-80 cards?
Tap-style RFID readers depend on compatible chip technology, antenna and encoding rather than a standard card outline, which allows custom shapes. Swipe and insert readers require the physical format specified for that device, often CR-80. Confirm the chosen finished card with the installed lock system and encoder; CR-80 dimensions alone do not establish compatibility. See our hotel key cards page for chip and lock-system compatibility.