Japanese Size Sleeves Explained: 62 × 89 mm and What Fits Yu-Gi-Oh! Cards
“Japan Size”, “Japanese Size”, “Small”, “Mini” – sleeve packaging uses a lot of names for the same format. Here we clear up what's behind them, which sleeves fit Yu-Gi-Oh! cards and what to look out for with inner and outer sleeves.
The short version
- Yu-Gi-Oh! cards measure 59 × 86 mm – OCG and TCG cards are the same size.
- The matching sleeve is called Japanese size and measures 62 × 89 mm.
- That's why OCG sleeves from Japan also fit your TCG cards.
- Standard size sleeves (66 × 91 mm) are made for Magic and Pokémon and are too big for Yu-Gi-Oh!.
What does “Japanese size” mean?
Trading cards essentially come in two formats. The larger one is used by Magic: The Gathering and the Pokémon TCG, for example (63 × 88 mm); the smaller one is used by Yu-Gi-Oh! (59 × 86 mm). Sleeves for the smaller format are sold as Japan Size or Japanese Size.
Depending on the manufacturer, the pack may also say Small or Mini – KMC, for example, calls its sleeves “Mini”. They all mean the same format. If in doubt, check the dimensions: 62 × 89 mm.
Do OCG sleeves fit TCG cards?
Yes. Cards from the OCG (Japan, Asia) and the TCG (Europe, the Americas) are the same size. An original OCG sleeve from Japan fits an English or German card exactly as it fits a Japanese one.
For everything else that differs between OCG and TCG, see our article OCG vs. TCG.
Size chart: card, sleeve, inner and outer sleeve
| What | Size | Goes with |
|---|---|---|
| Yu-Gi-Oh! card (OCG & TCG) | 59 × 86 mm | – |
| Japanese size inner sleeve (perfect fit) | fits tightly around the card | under a Japanese size sleeve |
| Japanese size sleeve (also Small, Mini) | 62 × 89 mm | all Yu-Gi-Oh! cards |
| Japanese size outer sleeve (oversleeve) | approx. 65–66 × 92 mm, depending on the manufacturer | over a Japanese size sleeve |
| Standard size card (Magic, Pokémon) | 63 × 88 mm | – |
| Standard size sleeve | 66 × 91 mm | Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon |
The dimensions come from the information on the products in our shop. Small deviations between individual packs are possible.
Common fit questions
Can I use standard size sleeves for Yu-Gi-Oh!?
Technically yes, but we wouldn't recommend it. In a 66 × 91 mm sleeve the card has a lot of room on every side, slides back and forth, and the deck is harder to shuffle.
Do Japanese size sleeves fit Magic or Pokémon cards?
No. Those cards are 63 mm wide, a Japanese size sleeve only 62 mm. The card won't go in without getting damaged.
Do OCG sleeves fit in my deck box?
Yes. Official OCG deck boxes fit OCG and TCG cards alike. It's more likely to get tight if you double-sleeve – the deck gets taller.
Inner and outer sleeves: the right size
The extra layers also come in both formats. Pick the wrong size and you'll be annoyed by loose sleeves later.
- Inner sleeves have to be labelled Japanese size or “Japanese Size Perfect Fit”. They fit tightly around the 59 × 86 mm card and go under the regular sleeve.
- Outer sleeves go over the Japanese size sleeve and are therefore a bit larger: depending on the manufacturer, the ones in our shop measure roughly 65–66 × 92 mm. Above all, they protect the artwork of printed OCG sleeves.
Rule of thumb: every layer is a few millimetres larger than the one below – card 59 × 86 mm, sleeve 62 × 89 mm, outer sleeve 65–66 × 92 mm. If a pack doesn't state any dimensions, look for the label “Japanese Size”.
Outer sleeves in standard size, on the other hand, are made for 66 × 91 mm sleeves and are far too wide over Japanese size sleeves.
→ View Japanese size outer sleeves
Which Japanese size sleeves are there?
Roughly two kinds:
- Art sleeves: Original Konami OCG sleeves with characters, archetypes and tournament designs. Depending on the design, a pack usually contains 70 sleeves, some 50, 55 or 100.
- Solid colour sleeves: Plain Japanese size card sleeves, for example from KMC or Dragon Shield – handy if you want to play a neutral-looking deck.
We've summed up the basics of Japan Size and our range on the page OCG sleeves in Japan Size.
Frequently asked questions
Are “Japanese Size”, “Small” and “Mini” the same thing?
For card sleeves, yes: the terms describe the smaller format for 59 × 86 mm cards. What counts is the 62 × 89 mm measurement on the pack or in the product description.
Do Japanese OCG sleeves fit English Yu-Gi-Oh! cards?
Yes. OCG and TCG cards are the same size; the language of the card makes no difference.
How big do outer sleeves for OCG sleeves need to be?
Slightly larger than the sleeve itself. The Japanese size outer sleeves in our shop measure roughly 65–66 × 92 mm.
Do you ship internationally?
Yes, we ship from Germany to many countries. You'll find the details on our shipping page.
