Which sleeves for Yu-Gi-Oh? Japan Size & sleeving explained
You want to protect your Yu-Gi-Oh! cards but don't know which sleeves fit? Here's the short answer – plus everything you need to know about sleeving.
What size are Yu-Gi-Oh! cards?
Yu-Gi-Oh! cards measure 59 × 86 mm, which makes them smaller than Magic or Pokémon cards. That's why they need sleeves in Japan Size (also called “Small Size”) at 62 × 89 mm. This applies to all Yu-Gi-Oh! cards – OCG and TCG alike.
Japan Size vs. Standard Size
| Sleeve format | Size | Fits |
|---|---|---|
| Japan / Small Size | 62 × 89 mm | All Yu-Gi-Oh! cards (OCG & TCG) |
| Standard Size | 66 × 91 mm | Magic: The Gathering & Pokémon |
Inner sleeves, outer sleeves & double-sleeving
Inner sleeves are thin Japan Size sleeves that you slide over the card – often with the opening facing down to keep dust out. Outer sleeves are slightly larger and go over the inner sleeve. This combination is called double-sleeving – maximum protection for valuable cards and tournament decks.
How many sleeves do I need?
A Yu-Gi-Oh! deck consists of Main, Extra and Side Deck – that quickly adds up to 60 to 75 cards. Plan a few spares for damaged sleeves. Depending on the design, our OCG sleeve packs usually contain 70 sleeves, some 50, 55 or 100.
Matte or glossy?
Matte sleeves reflect less, shuffle better and look classy. Glossy sleeves make artworks stand out more. It's a matter of taste – many tournament players prefer matte.
Which brands are good?
For solid-colour sleeves, KMC, Dragon Shield and Ultimate Guard are classics – all available in Japan Size. If you want character and archetype designs, go for original OCG sleeves from Japan.
→ OCG sleeves with artwork · → Solid colour sleeves (Japan Size) · → Outer sleeves
