Skip to content
Dino & DinoTCG
Free tool · Protect

Sleeve & Toploader Size Finder

Pokémon cards, English and Japanese alike, are standard size: 63 × 88 mm (about 2.5 × 3.5 in) — so they take standard sleeves, not “Japanese-size” sleeves, which are made for cards up to 59 × 86 mm. To ship a card, put it in a penny sleeve inside a 3 × 4 inch, 35pt toploader, sealed in a team bag; to send one to PSA, use a clear penny sleeve in a 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 inch semi-rigid holder such as Card Saver I, with no toploader.

Free · no sign-up · works on your phoneUpdated 31 sources

Sleeve & Toploader Size Finder

What are you protecting?

The item
What for?
Pokémon card, English or Japanese
63 × 88 mm
Same card in inches
2½ × 3½ in
Japanese-size sleeves fit
59 × 86 mm max
Regular toploader
3 × 4 in, 35pt

Your protection stack

Penny sleeve → Regular toploader (3 × 4 in, 35pt) → Team bag

Penny sleeve → 3 × 4 toploader → team bag → bubble mailer

Layer by layer, inside out

  1. 01Penny sleeveStandard, 2½ × 3½ in cardsHolds: Standard 2½ × 3½ in cards (63.5 × 88.9 mm) up to 35pt thick · Soft polypropylene (Ultra Pro: non-PVC, acid-free)
  2. 02Regular toploader (3 × 4 in, 35pt)Regular 3 × 4 in, 35ptHolds: Standard 2½ × 3½ in cards up to 35pt (Ultra Pro); BCW's inside is 2¾ × 3⅞ in · Rigid PVC (Ultra Pro and BCW)
  3. 03Team bagResealable, sized for a toploaderHolds: A toploader (or a small stack of cards) · Resealable polypropylene; Ultra Pro's are non-PVC and acid-free

Step by step

  1. 01Penny sleeve first — slide the card in without catching the corners.
  2. 02Into a regular 3 × 4 in toploader with the sleeve's open end facing down, so the card can't slide out the top.
  3. 03Seal the toploader in a team bag (TCGplayer's preferred method), or tape across the top of the toploader — never onto the card or sleeve.
  4. 04Ship in a bubble mailer or a stiff, secure envelope.
  5. 05Add tracking for anything you'd miss: TCGplayer requires it on its sellers' orders from $49.99 and signature confirmation from $250.

Avoid

  1. 01An unprotected card in an envelope — TCGplayer's word is never.
  2. 02A toploader in a plain letter: USPS charges a $0.49 nonmachinable surcharge on letters that are too rigid or unevenly thick (on top of $0.82 for 1 oz, as of July 12, 2026), and eBay's standard envelope has to bend, stay ¼ in or thinner and weigh 3 oz or less.

Worked example

Will it fit? A standard card in a toploader, and a 1.5 mm thick card

A standard card in BCW’s 3 × 4 toploader. The card is 63 × 88 mm (about 2.5 × 3.5 in). BCW gives the toploader’s inside as 2¾ × 3⅞ in (69.8 × 98.4 mm). Room to spare: (69.8 − 63) = 6.8 mm across and (98.4 − 88) = 10.4 mm lengthwise — enough for the penny sleeve (made for 2½ × 3½ in cards) to slide in without catching a corner.

The PSA semi-rigid. PSA requires 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 in for standard cards — 84.1 × 123.8 mm. That’s larger than a 3 × 4 toploader (76.2 × 101.6 mm outside) — and PSA doesn’t accept toploaders at all.

A thick card measuring 1.5 mm. 1.5 ÷ 0.0254 = 59.1 pt. The smallest holders that fit: BCW 79pt (its 59pt is just too thin), Ultra Pro 120PT toploader (its next size down is 55PT), or a 100PT magnetic ONE-TOUCH.

Reference

Every supply: what it holds, its size and what it's for

Sizes as the makers publish them (Ultra Pro, BCW, Dragon Shield, Cardboard Gold) and PSA’s own requirement for semi-rigids. A point (pt) is 0.001 inch. For condition before you store or ship, try the card condition grader.

Card sleeve, toploader, holder and storage sizes for Pokémon cards: what each holds, outside size, material and use
SupplyHolds (inner size)Outside sizeMaterialUse it for
Penny sleeveStandard 2½ × 3½ in cards (63.5 × 88.9 mm) up to 35pt thick—Soft polypropylene (Ultra Pro: non-PVC, acid-free)The first layer for anything going into a toploader, semi-rigid or storage box; clear ones for grading submissions. Avoid: Solid or opaque sleeves for a PSA submission.
Perfect-fit inner sleeveStandard cards, 63 × 88 mm (2½ × 3½ in) — a skin-tight fit—Clear polypropylene filmDouble-sleeving: card in top-first, then into a deck sleeve. Keeps dust and scuffs off binder and deck cards.
Standard deck sleeveCards up to 63 × 88 mm — every Pokémon card, English or JapanesePokémon Center Japan's Deck Shield: 66 × 92 mmPolypropylene (the official Deck Shield)Playing. All sleeves in a tournament deck must match; opaque backs are strongly recommended. Avoid: Mixing sleeve styles or conditions in one deck.
Japanese-size (“small” or “mini”) sleeveCards up to 59 × 86 mm (2 5/16 × 3 3/8 in) — Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cardfight!! Vanguard——Smaller-card games only. Not for Pokémon: English and Japanese Pokémon cards are both 63 × 88 mm. Avoid: Any Pokémon card — it won't fit.
Regular toploader (3 × 4 in, 35pt)Standard 2½ × 3½ in cards up to 35pt (Ultra Pro); BCW's inside is 2¾ × 3⅞ in3 × 4 in (76.2 × 101.6 mm); BCW 3 × 4-1/16 inRigid PVC (Ultra Pro and BCW)Shipping, and storing hits in a box. Card in a penny sleeve first. Avoid: Grading submissions — PSA says no toploaders.
Thick toploaderCards thicker than 35pt: Ultra Pro 55, 120, 130, 180, 200, 260PT; BCW 59, 79, 108, 138, 168, 197, 240, 360pt3 × 4 in; Ultra Pro also 3 × 5 and 6 × 9 inRigid plasticThick or oversized cards. Pick the smallest size that's thicker than the card. Avoid: Forcing a card into a holder that's too thin.
Magnetic one-touch holderBy card thickness: Ultra Pro ONE-TOUCH 23, 35, 100, 130, 180, 260, 360PT — 35PT for a standard card—Non-PVC with UV-blocking additives (Ultra Pro)Display and long-term storage of a single valuable card. Avoid: A holder thinner than the card.
Semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I)A penny-sleeved standard card3 5/16 × 4 7/8 in (84.1 × 123.8 mm) — PSA's required size for standard cardsFlexible clear plasticGrading submissions. Card Saver I is the one PSA recommends and sells. Avoid: Tape, pull tabs or sticky notes on it (PSA).
Team bagA toploader (or a small stack of cards)—Resealable polypropylene; Ultra Pro's are non-PVC and acid-freeSeals a toploader so the card can't slide out in the mail — TCGplayer's preferred method.
Side-loading 9-pocket pageNine 2½ × 3½ in cards, 35pt or thinner—Polypropylene; BCW's are 115-micron, acid-free, no PVCBinder storage and display. Side-loading pockets hold cards in when the page turns; BCW albums use D-rings. Avoid: PVC pages; stuffing thick cards into standard pockets.
Cardboard storage boxBCW 800-count: about 1,140 gaming cards; 3200-count: about 4,800 (fewer once sleeved)BCW 800-count inside: 14⅛ × 2¾ × 3¾ in—Bulk and sorted collections. Avoid: Toploaders, magnetic holders and slabs — BCW says these boxes aren't made for them.
Graded card (slab) sleeveOne slab — BCW's fits PSA, Beckett, SGC and CSGBCW: 3¾ × 5½ in (95.3 × 139.7 mm)Acid-free polypropylene, resealableKeeps scratches off the slab in storage and shipping.
Graded card boxBCW: 30 PSA, BGS, SGC, CSG or HGA slabs; its slotted box takes PSA, CSG, CGC or PCG but not BGS or SGC——Storing a slab collection.
Booster pack holderOne sealed booster pack (Ultra Pro makes a ONE-TOUCH sized for a pack)—UV-blocking, non-PVC (Ultra Pro ONE-TOUCH)Display or shipping a single sealed pack.
The protection stack for each item and goal
ItemGoalWhat to useWatch out for
Standard cardBinder or box storagePerfect-fit inner sleeve (optional) → Side-loading 9-pocket pagePVC pages or sleeves — archives say never to store paper or photos in PVC; look for polypropylene marked PVC-free.
Standard cardShippingPenny sleeve → Regular toploader (3 × 4 in, 35pt) → Team bagAn unprotected card in an envelope — TCGplayer's word is never.
Standard cardGrading submissionPenny sleeve → Semi-rigid holder (Card Saver I)Toploaders, tape, pull tabs and sticky notes (PSA).
Standard cardPlaying in a deckPerfect-fit inner sleeve (optional) → Standard deck sleeveJapanese-size sleeves (59 × 86 mm) — too small for Pokémon.
Standard cardDisplayMagnetic one-touch holderDirect sunlight and hot rooms.
Thick or jumbo cardBinder or box storageThick toploaderForcing a thick card into a standard pocket.
Thick or jumbo cardShippingThick toploaderPlain envelopes: a thick holder makes a letter rigid and uneven — USPS surcharges nonmachinable letters.
Thick or jumbo cardGrading submissionPenny sleeve (optional)Toploaders, tape and sticky notes in a PSA submission.
Thick or jumbo cardPlaying in a deckNot for a deck. Jumbo cards are promotional and not legal for tournament play. Thick and oversized cards belong in a holder, not a deck.—
Thick or jumbo cardDisplayMagnetic one-touch holderDirect sunlight.
Sealed packBinder or box storagePacks don't go in card pages. Card pages are sized for 2½ × 3½ in cards. Keep sealed packs in a box, or one at a time in a holder made for packs (Ultra Pro sells a ONE-TOUCH sized for a booster pack).Heat and direct sun on sealed product.
Sealed packShippingBooster pack holderA plain envelope — nothing stops it bending.
Sealed packGrading submissionCard grading doesn't cover packs. Card submissions are for cards. If you want a sealed pack authenticated, check the grading company's current services first.—
Sealed packPlaying in a deckOpen it first. A sealed pack isn't playable — open it, then sleeve the cards you'll use in standard-size deck sleeves.—
Sealed packDisplayBooster pack holderDirect sunlight.
Graded slabBinder or box storageGraded card (slab) sleeve → Graded card boxLoose slabs rubbing against each other.
Graded slabShippingGraded card (slab) sleeveA padded envelope alone for a valuable slab.
Graded slabGrading submissionAlready graded — follow that company's instructions. For a reholder, crossover or review, follow the grading company's current instructions for sending a slab. Don't crack the case unless you mean to resubmit the raw card.—
Graded slabPlaying in a deckNot playable in the slab. A slabbed card can't go in a deck. Play a raw copy and keep the slab stored.—
Graded slabDisplayGraded card (slab) sleeveDirect sunlight on the case.

How to use it

In 4 steps

  1. 1Pick the item: a standard card, a thick or jumbo card, a sealed pack or a graded slab.
  2. 2Pick the goal: binder or box storage, shipping, a grading submission, playing, or display.
  3. 3For a thick card, enter its thickness in points or millimetres to get the smallest holder that fits.
  4. 4Build the stack from the inside out, and check the avoid list before you seal anything.

Three size traps, and the PVC question

“Japanese size” doesn’t mean Japanese Pokémon cards. Japanese-size sleeves are made for smaller cards such as Yu-Gi-Oh! (up to 59 × 86 mm). Japanese Pokémon cards are 63 × 88 mm like English ones — The Pokémon Company's own Deck Shield sleeve in Japan is 66 × 92 mm. You’ll still see Pokémon listed as a “Japanese-size” game online; it isn’t.

Point sizes aren’t the same across brands. A point is 0.001 inch. Ultra Pro rates its regular 3 × 4 toploader for cards up to 35pt; BCW’s product page rates its standard one for cards up to 20pt while its 2026 guide calls 35pt the standard size. Both are the regular toploader for a Pokémon card. Thick sizes differ too, so pick by the number, not the brand’s name for it.

Grading has its own rules. PSA wants a clear penny sleeve inside a 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 inch semi-rigid — no toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes. Other graders publish their own packing rules; read the current one before you pack.

PVC. The Library of Congress and the National Archives both tell people storing paper and photos to avoid PVC, and to use polyester, polypropylene or polyethylene instead. Penny sleeves, team bags and good binder pages are polypropylene. Ultra Pro’s and BCW’s regular toploaders are rigid PVC (both say so), so the card sits in a polypropylene penny sleeve inside; for long-term display, Ultra Pro’s magnetic ONE-TOUCH holders are sold as non-PVC. More in our guide to storing Pokémon cards.

FAQ

Sleeve sizes: questions

What size sleeves do Pokémon cards need?

Standard-size sleeves. Pokémon cards measure 63 × 88 mm (about 2.5 × 3.5 in), English and Japanese alike. Standard deck sleeves are made for cards up to 63 × 88 mm; The Pokémon Company's own Deck Shield sleeve in Japan measures 66 × 92 mm. Japanese-size sleeves (for cards up to 59 × 86 mm) are too small.

Do Japanese Pokémon cards need Japanese-size sleeves?

No. Japanese Pokémon cards are the same 63 × 88 mm as English cards and take standard sleeves. Japanese-size sleeves are for smaller cards such as Yu-Gi-Oh! and Cardfight!! Vanguard, up to 59 × 86 mm.

What size toploader fits a Pokémon card?

A regular 3 × 4 inch toploader. Ultra Pro rates its regular toploader for standard 2½ × 3½ in cards up to 35pt thick, and BCW's standard 3 × 4 lists Pokémon as compatible. Put the card in a penny sleeve first. Thicker cards need a thicker toploader matched to their point size.

How should I package cards for PSA grading?

PSA asks for each card in a clear penny sleeve (not solid or opaque) inside a semi-rigid holder measuring 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 in for standard cards — Card Saver I is the one PSA recommends. No toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes. Stack them in submission-form order between cardboard with 2–3 rubber bands around the stack, in a new box with the empty space filled.

What does 35pt mean on a toploader?

It's the thickest card the holder is made for, in points. One point is 0.001 inch (0.0254 mm), so 35pt is about 0.89 mm. To size a thick card, measure it, convert to points and pick the smallest holder rated at or above that number.

How do you ship a single Pokémon card safely?

Penny sleeve, then a 3 × 4 toploader with the sleeve's open end facing down, then a team bag or tape across the top of the toploader, in a bubble mailer or stiff envelope. TCGplayer requires its sellers to add tracking from $49.99 and signature confirmation from $250. A toploader in a plain letter can count as nonmachinable at USPS, which adds a $0.49 surcharge as of July 2026.

Not answered here? Ask us — a photo of the card helps.

Text (760) 453-6389Send a message

Sources

Where these numbers come from

  1. [1]Ultra Pro, 100ct PENNY SLEEVES (opens in a new tab)For standard 2½ × 3½ in (63.5 × 88.9 mm) cards up to 35pt; non-PVC, acid-free polypropylene. Read 2026-09-22.
  2. [2]Ultra Pro, 3 × 4 in Clear Regular Toploaders (opens in a new tab)Holds standard 2½ × 3½ in cards up to 35pt; rigid PVC. Read 2026-09-22.
  3. [3]Ultra Pro, TOPLOADER sleeves range (opens in a new tab)Regular 35pt; Super Thick 120, 130, 180, 200 and 260PT; 3 × 5 and 6 × 9 in; 4-pocket pages for toploaders. 55PT Action Packed listed on ultrapro.com. Read 2026-09-22.
  4. [4]Ultra Pro, UV ONE-TOUCH magnetic holders (opens in a new tab)23, 35, 100, 130, 180, 260 and 360PT; UV-blocking additives; non-PVC; magnetic closure. A booster-pack ONE-TOUCH is also sold. Read 2026-09-22.
  5. [5]Ultra Pro, Team Bags Resealable Sleeves (opens in a new tab)Resealable, ultra-clear polypropylene; no PVC; acid-free. Read 2026-09-22.
  6. [6]Dragon Shield, Standard Size Sleeves (opens in a new tab)Made for cards up to 63 × 88 mm; Pokémon listed among the games. Read 2026-09-22.
  7. [7]Dragon Shield, Japanese Size Sleeves (opens in a new tab)Made for cards up to 59 × 86 mm (2 5/16 × 3 3/8 in): Yu-Gi-Oh!, Cardfight!! Vanguard. (Its FAQ also names Pokémon — its own size guide lists Pokémon under standard.) Read 2026-09-22.
  8. [8]Dragon Shield, Perfect Fit sleeves (opens in a new tab)Standard size, 63 × 88 mm (2½ × 3½ in); card goes in top-first, then into a regular sleeve. Read 2026-09-22.
  9. [9]Pokémon Center Online (Japan), Deck Shield sleeves (opens in a new tab)9.2 × 6.6 cm, polypropylene, 64 sleeves — The Pokémon Company's own sleeve for Japanese Pokémon cards. Read 2026-09-22.
  10. [10]Harebodo, Deck Shield size guide (Japanese) (opens in a new tab)Pokémon cards measure 63 × 88 mm; the Deck Shield is 3 mm wider and 4 mm taller. Read 2026-09-22.
  11. [11]BCW, 3 × 4 Topload Card Holder – Standard (opens in a new tab)3 × 4-1/16 in outside, 2¾ × 3⅞ in inside; rigid PVC; Pokémon listed as compatible. Read 2026-09-22.
  12. [12]BCW, “What Thickness of Toploader Do I Need?” (Jan 30, 2026) (opens in a new tab)35pt for standard cards; 59, 79, 108, 138, 168, 197, 240 and 360pt for thicker cards. Read 2026-09-22.
  13. [13]BCW, “What Thickness of Card Holder Do I Need?” (opens in a new tab)One point = 0.001 in = 0.0254 mm; 9-pocket pages take cards 35pt or thinner. Read 2026-09-22.
  14. [14]BCW, binder pages (LaserWeld 9-pocket) (opens in a new tab)Nine 2½ × 3½ in cards per page; 115-micron polypropylene; acid-free, no PVC; side-loading pockets. Read 2026-09-22.
  15. [15]BCW, 2 in. Album (opens in a new tab)Heavy-duty D-ring mechanism; holds up to 60 pages. Read 2026-09-22.
  16. [16]BCW, 800 Count Storage Box (opens in a new tab)About 700 standard 20pt cards or about 1,140 gaming cards; not for toploaders, magnetic holders or slabs. Read 2026-09-22.
  17. [17]BCW, 3200 Count Storage Box (opens in a new tab)3,200 standard or 4,800 gaming cards; sleeves reduce the count; not for toploaders or slabs. Read 2026-09-22.
  18. [18]BCW, Resealable Graded Card Sleeves (opens in a new tab)3¾ × 5½ in; PSA, Beckett, SGC and CSG slabs; acid-free archival polypropylene. Read 2026-09-22.
  19. [19]BCW, Graded Trading Card Box (opens in a new tab)Holds 30 PSA, BGS, SGC, CSG or HGA slabs. Read 2026-09-22.
  20. [20]BCW, “How to Protect and Store Graded Cards” (opens in a new tab)Slab sleeves against scratches; the slotted box takes PSA, CSG, CGC or PCG slabs, not BGS, SGC or other larger slabs. Read 2026-09-22.
  21. [21]PSA Shipping Guide (opens in a new tab)Clear penny sleeve; semi-rigid 3 5/16 × 4 7/8 in for standard cards; no toploaders, tape, pull tabs or sticky notes; how to box the stack. Read 2026-09-22.
  22. [22]Cardboard Gold, Card Saver 1 (opens in a new tab)“Card Saver 1 is recommended by PSA to send cards in for grading”; PSA's own store sells a PSA x Cardboard Gold Card Saver 1. Read 2026-09-22.
  23. [23]TCGplayer, “How should I ship my TCGplayer orders?” (opens in a new tab)Sleeve, toploader with the opening down, team bag or tape, bubble mailer; tracking required from $49.99, signature from $250. Read 2026-09-22.
  24. [24]USPS Price List Notice 123 (effective July 12, 2026) (opens in a new tab)1-oz stamped letter $0.82; $0.49 nonmachinable surcharge. Read 2026-09-22.
  25. [25]USPS Domestic Mail Manual 101.1.2, Nonmachinable Criteria (opens in a new tab)A letter that's too rigid, or whose contents make its thickness uneven, is nonmachinable. Read 2026-09-22.
  26. [26]eBay standard envelope (opens in a new tab)Trading cards; ¼ in or thinner, 3 oz or less, flexible enough to bend, no plastic; limited tracking. Read 2026-09-22.
  27. [27]Play! Pokémon TCG Tournament Handbook (Sept 1, 2026), §2.2 Card Sleeves (opens in a new tab)Sleeves in a deck must match in colour, size, texture and condition; opaque backs strongly recommended. Read via the Internet Archive copy of Sept 3, 2026.
  28. [28]Library of Congress, Care, Handling, and Storage of Works on Paper (opens in a new tab)Cool, about 35% RH, stable; minimal light; no rubber bands, clips or tape; avoid attics and basements. Read 2026-09-22.
  29. [29]Library of Congress, Care, Handling, and Storage of Photographs (opens in a new tab)Never PVC enclosures; polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene are fine; 30–50% RH for mixed collections. Read 2026-09-22.
  30. [30]National Archives, How to Preserve Family Archives (opens in a new tab)Below 75°F, below 65% RH (mold), not under 15% (brittleness); avoid PVC; no hot attics, damp basements or garages. Read 2026-09-22.
  31. [31]Bulbapedia, “Jumbo card” (opens in a new tab)From slightly larger than a normal card to at least eight inches tall; promotional, not legal for tournament play. Read 2026-09-22.

Last reviewed . Spot something wrong? Text (760) 453-6389 and we’ll fix it.

Related tools

From the shop

Rather have us look at it?

Text a photo of the card (front and back) and we’ll tell you what it is, what it’s worth and what we’d pay for it. No obligation.

Text us a photoHow selling works
ShopSell: text photos