How Big Is a 5×7 Card? | Exact Dimensions & Uses

A 5×7 card measures 5 inches by 7 inches, or 127 by 178 millimeters, and covers 35 square inches of surface area.

For the full breakdown, see our best 5X7 Card Stock guide.

Whether you’re designing an invitation, picking up card stock for a craft project, or trying to match an envelope, knowing exactly how big a 5×7 card is matters more than you’d think. The dimensions sound simple, but the greeting-card world has a few conventions that trip people up — especially the difference between a folded card and a flat one.

What Are the Exact Measurements of a 5×7 Card?

A 5×7 card is exactly 5 inches wide by 7 inches tall. In metric terms, that works out to roughly 127 mm by 178 mm, or 12.7 cm by 17.8 cm. The total face area comes to 35 square inches.

Those numbers describe the card itself, not the envelope. A standard A7 envelope — the size most commonly paired with a 5×7 card — runs slightly larger at about 5.25 by 7.25 inches to leave room for the card to slide in without bending.

Keep this distinction in mind: when stationery guides talk about card sizes, the dimensions usually describe the closed, folded card. A blank card that starts as a 10×7 sheet and folds in half produces a 5×7 finished piece, but the flat sheet is twice the width.

Is a 5×7 Card the Same as an A7 Card?

In the greeting-card world, yes — A7 is the standard industry name for a 5×7 folded card. This is a naming convention specific to stationery and paper products; it has nothing to do with the ISO A-series paper sizes used internationally for documents.

The confusion is common and worth flagging: A7 as a greeting-card size means 5×7 inches, while A7 as an ISO paper size means a much smaller 74 mm by 105 mm. When you’re shopping for cards or envelopes, always check whether the seller is using the stationery convention or the international paper standard.

Stationery guides like those from PaperCard and paper-size references consistently pair 5×7 cards with A7 envelopes, making this the size to reach for when you need a standard invitation or greeting card.

What Is a 5×7 Card Used For?

This size is one of the most versatile in paper goods. Stationery guides list 5×7 as a standard choice for:

• Greeting cards — the classic folded card that fits an A7 envelope
• Wedding and event invitations — enough room for a formal layout without feeling oversized
• Postcards and thank-you notes — flat 5×7 prints work well for photo cards
• Framed prints and wall art — a standard size for inexpensive ready-made frames

One common mistake: confusing 5×7 with index-card sizes. Index cards typically run 3×5 or 5×8, not 5×7. If you’re shopping for flashcards or recipe cards, 5×7 is usually the wrong size — it’s a stationery dimension, not a note-card dimension.

When you’re ready to print or craft, the card stock you choose matters as much as the size. Our roundup of the best 5×7 card stock options covers the top picks by weight, finish, and print compatibility, so you can match the paper to your project.

Envelope Sizes That Fit a 5×7 Card

The A7 envelope is the standard match for 5×7 cards, measuring roughly 5.25 by 7.25 inches. That extra quarter-inch on each side gives the card room to sit flat without forcing the envelope to bulge or the card to bend.

If you’re working with a thicker card or folding a sheet of 5×7 card stock into a deeper fold, you may want an envelope with a slightly wider side — look for an A7 with a “deep” or “square” flap profile. For flat 5×7 prints and postcards, the same A7 envelope works fine.

A quick note on measurement: always measure the card itself, not the envelope you already own, when verifying your size. Envelope dimensions are larger than the card they hold, and mixing up the two is the most frequent sizing error in stationery work.

5×7 Card Dimensions at a Glance

Remember the folded-card convention when you buy: a “5×7” greeting card is the closed size. If you’re designing from scratch, build your flat layout at 10 inches by 7 inches with a center fold line, or use a 5×7 flat card if you’re sending a postcard-style piece. With the right envelope, this size works for nearly any printed piece, from save-the-dates to photo cards.