Measure, don't guess
Sleeves are sold by their millimetre dimensions, not by game name, so the only reliable way to buy is to measure a card with a ruler and match it to a size. Measure in millimetres for accuracy — a couple of millimetres is the difference between a snug fit and a loose, floppy sleeve. Always size to the larger dimension; sleeves should be slightly bigger than the card, never smaller.
The common sleeve sizes
These cover the large majority of board games. When a card falls between two sizes, choose the next size up.
- Standard (USA): 63.5 x 88 mm — the most common size; most games with poker-style cards.
- Standard European: 59 x 92 mm — Catan, many Euro-style games.
- Mini American: 41 x 63 mm — small action/role cards.
- Mini European: 44 x 68 mm — common in worker-placement games.
- Tarot: 70 x 120 mm — large illustrated cards (Dixit, 7 Wonders is close but not tarot).
- Square: ranges ~70 x 70 mm and up — measure these specifically, sizes vary a lot.
Penny vs. premium sleeves
Penny sleeves are thin, cost roughly a penny each, and protect against the wear of constant shuffling — perfect for high-touch deckbuilders where you might sleeve hundreds of cards on a budget. Premium clear sleeves are thicker, resist hazing and clouding, and last longer, but they add noticeable bulk. Many players use a thicker premium sleeve only on rare or expensive cards and penny sleeves on everything else.
Watch the bulk
Sleeving adds height to every stack of cards, and that adds up fast in games with big decks. After you sleeve, check that the box lid still closes and that the cards still fit their insert slot. If they don't, switch to thinner sleeves or sleeve only the cards that actually wear.
Count before you buy
Add up every card in the game — including expansions and any cards you'll sleeve later — then buy a little over. Running out mid-sleeving and getting a slightly different-finish sleeve later is a common and avoidable annoyance, because finishes and clarity vary between packs and even between batches.