What Thickness of Card Holder Do I Need?

With the increased popularity of memorabilia sports cards comes increased confusion on what thickness of card holders you need to protect your prized cards. Card thickness (depth) is often measured in points. One point is equivalent to .001 inches or .0254 millimeters.

A simple method to determine the correct thickness of a card is to use a Card Thickness Point Gauge. These gauges are located on BCW toploader and magnetic card holder packages. You can also download a printable Card Thickness Point Gauge (PDF). If you print the gauges, make sure to print the sheet at 100% scale (no print scaling like “fit to page”) to get accurate sizing.

There are lots of choices when deciding how to protect your cards. You can use 9-Pocket Pages to place cards in an Album, or you can use individual card holders. We have listed most of the BCW and Pro-Mold Card Holders below. To simplify the decision, first determine what size you need. Most cards are 2½ inches wide x 3½ inches high, but dimensions can vary. Then check the thickness using your Card Thickness Point Gauge. After you have determined the size, select your desired closing method: snap, 1-screw, 4-screw, magnetics, toploaders, or semi-rigids.

Interior
W x H
in Inches
Depth in PointsDescriptionBrandClosing
Method
SKU
2½ x 3½20-pts.BCW
Mini Snap
BCWMini Snap1-MS
2½ x 3½20-pts.Pro-Mold
Mini Snap
Display Box
Pro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC1D
2½ x 3½20-pts.Pro-Mold
Mini Snap
Blank Packaging
Pro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC1B
2½ x 3½20-pts.BCW
Regular Snap
BCWSnap1-RS
2½ x 3½20-pts.Improved
Mini Snap
Pro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC1II
2 5/9 x 3½70-pts.Action Packed
Mini Snap
Pro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC3
2⅔ x 3 8/930-pts.Pre-57 HolderPro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC4
2 5/9 x 3½120-pts.Real Thick CardPro-MoldMini SnapPM-PC20
2 1/16 x 2½30-pts.1948-1950
Bowman
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC48
2 3/16 x 320-pts.Topps &
Bowman Minis
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC21
2 1/16 x 3 1/820-pts.1951-1952
Bowman
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC51
2 5/8 x 3¾30-pts.1952-1956
Topps
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC52
2 ½ x 3¾30-pts.1953-1955
Bowman
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC53
2½ x 3½20-pts.Regular
1-Screw
BCW1-Screw1-1S
2 9/16 x 3 9/1650-pts.Thick Card
1-Screw Holder
BCW1-Screw1-1S-THICK
2 9/16 x 3 9/16120-pts.Super Thick Card1-Screw HolderBCW1-Screw1-1S-STHICK
2½ x 3½20-pts.Regular
1-Screw
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC5II
2 5/9 x 3½20-pts.1-Screw
with Stand
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC13
2½ x 3½20-pts.1/2″
1-Screw
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC14
2½ x 3½50-pts.1/2″ 1-Screw
Thick Card
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC15
2½ x 3½110-pts.1/2″ 1-Screw
Real Thick Card
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC16
2½ x 3½180-pts.1/2″ 1-Screw
Super Thick Card
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC17
2½ x 3½50-pts.Thick Card
1-Screw
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC6II
2 5/9 x 3 5/9120-pts.Extra Thick Card
1-Screw
Pro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC18II
1.517 x 2.71720-pts.1-Screw T-206 Topps GinterPro-Mold1-ScrewPM-PC206
n/an/a4-Screw
Non-Recessed
BCW4-Screw1-4SNR
n/an/aPro-Mold 4-Screw
Non-Recessed
Pro-Mold4-ScrewPM-PC9
2½ x 3½ 4-Screw
Recessed
BCW4-Screw1-4SR
2½ x 3½30-pts.Pro-Mold 4-Screw
Recessed
Pro-Mold4-ScrewPM-PC11
2½ x 3½ 4 Screw
Black Border
BCW4-Screw1-1CS-B
2½ x 3½35-pts.35-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-35
2½ x 3½55-pts.55-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-55
2½ x 3½75-pts.75-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-75
2½ x 3½100-pts.100-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-100
2½ x 3½180-pts.180-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-180
2½ x 3½360-pts.360-pts. MagneticBCWMagnetic1-MCH-360
2½ x 3½20-pts.Pro-Mold Regular
Magnetic
Pro-MoldMagneticPM-MH1
2½ x 3½50-pts.50-pts. MagneticPro-MoldMagneticPM-MH2
2½ x 3½120-pts.120-pts. MagneticPro-MoldMagneticPM-MH3
2 9/16 x 3 9/16180-pts.180-pts. MagneticPro-MoldMagneticPM-MH4
2½ x 3½80-pts.80-pts. MagneticPro-MoldMagneticPM-MH5
2½ x 3½150-pts.150-pts. MagneticPro-MoldMagneticPM-MH6
2¾ x 3½Approx.30-pts..Acrylic Card Stand VerticalBCWPressure Fit1-ACS-V
2¾ x 3½Approx.30-pts..Acrylic Card Stand Vertical
with Header
BCWPressure Fit1-ACS-VH
2¼ x 4¼ 1/4″ Acrylic
4-Screw
BCW4-Screw1-A025
2¼ x 4½ ½” Acrylic
4-Screw
BCW4-Screw1-A050
2¼ x 4½118-pts.½” Acrylic 4-Screw with
3MM Insert
BCW4-ScrewA050–A050-I-3MM
2¼ x 4½ 1″ Acrylic
4-Screw
BCW4-Screw1-A100
2¼ x 4½118-pts.1″ Acrylic
4-Screw with
3MM Insert
BCW4-ScrewA100–A050-I-3MM
2¼ x 4½235-pts.1″ Acrylic
4-Screw with
6MM Insert
BCW4-ScrewA100–A100-I-6MM
2 1/16 x 3 1/820-pts.Tobacco Card ToploaderBCWTopload1-TLCH-TBC-25
2¾ x 3 7/820-pts.25-Pack Standard
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-N 1-TLCH-100
2¾ x 3 7/1620-pts.25-Pack Premium
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH
2¾ x 3 7/820-pts.Toploader with “Rookie Card”BCWTopload1-TLCH-RG (Gold)
1-TLCH-RW (White)
2¾ x 3 7/820-pts.Toploader with
Color Border
BCWTopload1-TLCH-BK
1-TLCH-BL
1-TLCH-RD
1-TLCH-GR
1-TLCH-WH
2¾ x 3 7/850-pts.Action Packed
Toploaders
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-1.5MM
2¾ x 3 7/879-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-2MM
2¾ x 3 7/8108-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-2.75MM
2¾ x 3 7/8138-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-3.5MM
2¾ x 3 7/8168-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-4.25MM
2¾ x 3 7/8197-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-5MM
2¾ x 3 7/8240-pts.Thick Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-7MM
2¾ x 3 7/8360-pts.Thick Card
Toploaders
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TH-9MM
2¾ x 4 7/820-pts.Tall Card
Toploader
BCWTopload1-TLCH-TALL
3 3/16 x 4 1/4No insetSemi-Rigid Holder 1BCWSemi-Rigid1-SR1
 2 7/8 x 3 3/4No inset Semi-Rigid Holder 2BCWSemi-Rigid1-SR2
3 3/16 x 5 1/8No inset Semi-Rigid Holder 3 – TallBCWSemi-Rigid1-SR3
Comparison of BCW card holders

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53 thoughts on “What Thickness of Card Holder Do I Need?

  1. Pingback: Card Thickness Scale - Blowout Cards Forums

  2. I am looking for a magnetic loader for a Panini Immaculate Cleat Card. Super thick card, way thicker than my BCW gauge shows, it ends at 360 pt. and the card is thicker than that. I have a few copies of the size guide laminated for ease of use. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

    • I am curious to know what you ended up doing with the Panini Immaculate Cleat Card as I have run into the same exact issue. I tried a 360 pt. case and the cleat portion of the card does in fact protrude beyond that. Did you end up trying a slider or hinged box as one of the comments suggested? I am just curious if that worked, I would like for the card to be secure within the case and not move. Any advice/feedback would be greatly appreciated!

  3. Would love a gauge if there is still one available. Would even consider paying if I have to – first one I have ever seen offered.

    Thanks

  4. Do they make pages for thicker stock cards so that I can use a binder? If not, what’s the max thickness a standard 9 card page can hold safely? Thanks.

  5. Our 9-Pocket Pages are intended for standard thickness cards, so 35 points thick or less is recommended. For storage I would recommend thick card sleeves, thick toploaders, and a Shoe Box.

  6. Does a 20 point or 30 point card holder work for regular cards like 70s 80s cards . Does both work or which do your recommend . If I but one touch holders . Also on penny sleeves and top loaders do I just order standard sleeves and top
    Loaders and what point 20 and 35 either ? I am OCD bad and keep wondering all the time sometimes I get 20 point and 35 point both seem
    Ok but does it matter . I usually collect 60, 70 , 80, and 90s cards . Thank you very much .

  7. The 20 point and 35 point holders about the same. The difference is 15/1000th of an inch, so it’s hard to notice the difference when the card is in a magnetic. I recommend the 35 pt Magnetics. The penny sleeves (1-SSLV) are best for standard cards. If you have thick cards, we also have Sleeves for Thick Cards (1-SSLV-THICK). For toploaders, our Standard Toploaders are the best value (1-TLCH-N for the 25 ct. packs, or 1-TLCH-100 for the 100 ct. packs). If you have thicker cards, you can view or Thick Card Toploaders at https://www.bcwsupplies.com/catalogsearch/advanced/result/?sku=1-TLCH-TH

    • The 35 pt. magnetics are likely the size you would need. However I don’t recommend magnetics for Chromes. It’s my experience the Chromes can scratch easily, so I suggest you get Chromes in a penny sleeve, and then in a toploader.

  8. So many options on what to use to protect my cards. Each one has their own pros and cons. My head is swimming. I know penny sleeve and Toploader are the most common way but toploaders are so hard to store. they don’t fit in your regular white boxes. then there are the snap-tight ones, they do fit in the white boxes but have been known to bend corners and edges. What is the best way to store a card collection?

  9. I’m looking for a one touch vertical booklet for a 16 – 20 pt card. I have a Garbage Pail Kids Panoramic Sketch card that I’m looking for a magnetic one touch for. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

  10. I have quite a few low numbered 20-21 Leaf ITGU hockey cards and was wondering what size one touch to use and which do you recommend from your site? Looking to purchase asap.

    • All of the BCW magnetics are sized for 2.5 x 3.5 inch standard cards. The only difference is for the depth of the card. If your cards are thick, you can use a Card Thickness Gauge to determine which Thick Card Magnetics are best for your cards. A link is above where you can print a Card Thickness Gauge. Thanks

  11. I have a few autographed art sketch cards that are vertical 3-pane booklet (2 folds). The width is slightly wider than 3 standard sized cards side by side.

    What options are there? I was considering the large currency holder, but am worried it might not be tall enough.

    • If the card is unsleeved, use a 75 pt. card holder. If the card is in a Thick Card Penny Sleeve, the sleeve will add about 4 pts. to the depth, so you could go to the next largest size.

  12. Thank you so much! Card companies should print the point thickness on all packs.

    Maybe I can help out together shared spreadsheet

    Question: I have bought some Topps Now cards. They are 16-18 pt glossy .
    Would 22pt or 35pt be better if I use magnetic holder?

    • BCW’s thinnest magnetic is ha a 35 point recess, while ProMold has a 20 point thick magnetic (regular or a version which is sized to hold a sleeved card). The sleeve will add about 4 points of thickness (4/1000th of an inch). So your card will be snug in the 20pt ProMold, or a bit loose in the 35pt BCW. I don’t hear of complaints about cards being too loose in the 35pt BCW Magnetic though. I think both are good options for you. https://www.bcwsupplies.com/trading-card/holders/magnetics

  13. What is the correct way to put cards into a semi-rigid card holder? I can’t slide the card in without pushing in on the top which feels like it is damaging it. Thanks again!

    • We recommend you insert your card in a penny sleeve before inserting the sleeved card in the semi-rigid. If you are using the semi-rigids to submit cards to a grading company, using a sleeved card in a semi-rigid is normal. Here’s PSA’s submission guide – https://resources.psacard.com/PSA-How-To-Submit.pdf?v=2021d , but other grading companies might have a different policy. When inserting the sleeved card into the semi-rigid, I normally press on the edges of the semi-rigid, to get some air inside of the holder. The difficulty of inserting the cards is often static friction against the surfaces, so the buffer of air helps. Another thing that helps is to use the larger semi-rigids. The Semi-Rigid #2 are smaller than the Semi-Rigid #1, so you can simply use the larger size which makes inserting the card slightly easier. https://www.bcwsupplies.com/trading-card/sleeves-toploaders

  14. Hi, I am looking for a reusable slab sleeves that will accommodate PSA’s large slabs for example: 1964 Topps Giants, 1970 and 71 Topps Supers, 1969 and 1970 Topps basketball.

    Thanks in advance.

    • Desde el día en que se envía el pedido, demora aproximadamente 7 días hábiles. La información de seguimiento dará una fecha más precisa.

  15. What soft sleeve do you use for 360 point cards (eg. Impeccable Silver Bar)? For top loader, I think soft sleeve is a must, do you also recommend soft sleeve for one touch?

    • Unfortunately, we do not have a penny sleeve sized for 360 pt cards. Our magnetic holders are made of polystyrene, which is considered an archival material. A sleeve isn’t needed, but can help add a layer of protection against accidental scratches, especially on chrome or foil cards. You will want to measure the card in the sleeve to ensure it will fit in your holder.

  16. Thanks for all the good info.
    (1) Are any card holders designed in large-enough point sizes to accommodate graded cards & provide them with UV protection? Or is that simply not necessary?
    (2) Is there any “best” (i.e., most stable & supportive) height for baseball card stands?
    Thanks again.

    • We don’t have any rigid holders that would work for graded slabs.

      As for stands, it’s been my experience that having the height of the stand somewhere between half and 3/4 of the height of the card works best. This can also vary depending on the angle of the card being displayed. I think the best overall option is the small stand.

  17. Thanks for your reply to my previous questions. For the best protection and display purposes, should ungraded cards be kept in a soft sleeve inside a thick (e.g., magnetic) card holder, or just in a thick holder with no soft sleeve? (Or another way?) Thanks again.

    • Magnetic holders and screwdowns usually don’t require for even fit sleeves, and are only needed for certain chrome cards. There are ProMold magnetics what include a tight fitting sleeve for those cards. I would use a sleeve if you use a toploader unless you’re storing it for a fairly short amount of time.

      If you’re just keeping the cards in a box, a penny sleeve is usually enough for protection.

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