The person sitting next to you probably doesn’t have the same amount of credit card debt that you do, but one thing about both of your credit cards—and every credit card—is the same: the size. As you’ve probably noticed, credit card size is uniform.

But why do different cards share identical dimensions? Read on to find out why all credit cards (and debit cards and ATM cards) are the same standard size and what the future could hold for credit card payments.

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The history of credit card size

The idea of credit cards has been around since the 1900s. The first ones were made from various materials like metal, paper and cardboard, but when the major banks started to produce their own credit cards starting in 1958, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) stepped in so that all credit cards were compatible with all payment-processing machines. It’s the reason you can travel anywhere in the world and use your credit card at an ATM overseas (though, sadly, the same can’t be said for your hair-dryer plug).

This Is Why All Credit Cards Are The Same Size Gettyimages 1339201265
VIOLETASTOIMENOVA/GETTY IMGAES

The ISO determined that all credit cards, debit cards and ATM cards fall under the ID-1 category. That means they are required to be 3.375 inches wide by 2.125 inches high, with a thickness of 0.0299 inches, and the corners must be rounded. Another standard? The sequence of the digits in your credit card number must follow standards set by the ISO.

The future of credit cards

While credit card size will remain the same, technology is always being updated—and at some point, the credit card may even become obsolete. From contactless payments to advancements in biometrics (using your fingerprint or eye scan to pay for something), the future may look very different in just a few years.

For now, though, you can keep swiping your credit card at the cash register and rest assured that thanks to standard requirements, it will fit.

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Sources:

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Author
Morgan Cutolo
Morgan has written dozens of lifestyle articles for Reader's Digest, covering quirky facts, trivia, memes and humor. She is a former editor at Reader's Digest and Trusted Media Brands. In her free time, she likes exploring the seacoast near her home in Maine and snuggling on the couch with her corgi, Eggo, to read a good book or watch The Office.
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Morgan Cutolo