Sleevewise

Basics

How to measure card thickness in points

Every holder size is a point rating. Here is what a point is and how to measure your card without guessing.

By J. Rowan, editor · Specs checked October 15, 2026

What a point is

A point (pt) is one thousandth of an inch: 35pt is 0.035”, 100pt is 0.100”. Ultra PRO and Vault X rate top loaders and magnetic holders this way, for example “standard cards up to 75pt in thickness”.

Bars comparing 20, 35, 55, 75, 100, 130 and 180 point thickness
Common holder ratings, drawn to scale.

Measuring

  1. Use a caliper or micrometer that reads to 0.001” (or 0.01 mm).
  2. Measure the bare card, out of any sleeve.
  3. Measure at the thickest point. Relic and patch cards are often thicker where the swatch sits.
  4. Convert: inches × 1000 = pt; millimetres ÷ 0.0254 = pt.

Conversions

MillimetresPoints (rounded)
0.51 mm20pt
0.89 mm35pt
1.40 mm55pt
1.91 mm75pt
2.54 mm100pt
3.30 mm130pt
4.57 mm180pt

Choosing the size

Pick the smallest rating at or above your measurement. If you’re within about 5pt of a rating, size up. The Fit Finder does this for every product we track.

No caliper?

If a card came in a magnetic holder with a printed point size, treat that as a starting point, not a measurement.

Questions collectors ask

How do I convert millimetres to points?

Divide millimetres by 0.0254. For example, 1.4 mm / 0.0254 is about 55pt.

Should I measure with the sleeve on?

Measure the bare card. Ratings describe the card. Then, if you are near a limit, size up.

Products in this guide

What we point to, and why

Each pick is here because its maker publishes the size or rating this guide relies on. Photos are the makers' own.