The most common name badge size for conferences and events is 4 x 3 inches (102 x 76 mm), worn in a clear holder on a lanyard. Turned upright, the same badge is 3 x 4 inches, the usual portrait lanyard size. Larger events use 4 x 6 inches (102 x 152 mm) when the badge also carries a schedule or sponsor logos.
Stick-on name tags are smaller, usually 3.5 x 2.25 inches (89 x 57 mm) or 3-3/8 x 2-1/3 inches (86 x 59 mm). In the UK, Europe and Australia, A7 (74 x 105 mm) and A6 (105 x 148 mm) are the common conference sizes. Permanent staff name badges are smaller again, typically 1 x 3 or 1.5 x 3 inches.
Badge holders are sold by the size of the insert they take, so a 4 x 3 inch holder fits a 4 x 3 inch badge. The tables below give every common size in inches and millimetres, the holders that fit them, and how many fit on a printed page.
Standard name badge sizes
No body sets one official size. A conference badge size guide from Terratag says so directly. In practice, suppliers in North America build their holders and insert sheets around a few sizes, and those are the ones to design for.
| Size (inches) | Size (mm) | Used for | Common in |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 x 3 in | 102 x 76 mm | Conference and trade show badges, landscape, in a clear holder | North America |
| 3 x 4 in | 76 x 102 mm | Portrait lanyard badges | North America |
| 4 x 6 in | 102 x 152 mm | Large badges with a schedule, map or sponsor logos | North America |
| 3.5 x 2.25 in | 89 x 57 mm | Stick-on name tags and small inserts | Everywhere |
| 3-3/8 x 2-1/3 in | 86 x 59 mm | Adhesive name tag labels | North America |
| A7, 2.9 x 4.1 in | 74 x 105 mm | Standard conference badge | UK, Europe, Australia |
| A6, 4.1 x 5.8 in | 105 x 148 mm | Large conference badge | UK, Europe, Australia |
| 3-3/8 x 2-1/8 in | 85.6 x 54 mm | Credit-card size ID and access badges (CR80) | Everywhere |
A7 and 3 x 4 inches are close enough that most designs move between them with small margin changes. The same goes for A6 and 4 x 6 inches.
Name tag size
A name tag is usually the stick-on version, made for meetups, classes and volunteer days. The standard name tag size is about 3.5 x 2.25 inches, roughly a business card. Avery's adhesive name badge labels (5395) are 2-1/3 x 3-3/8 inches, 8 to a sheet, and its 5390 insert refills are 2-1/4 x 3-1/2 inches, also 8 to a sheet. Avery's size list covers the rest of its range.
Name tag or name badge? Same idea, different setting. Our guide to printable name tags covers the stick-on kind in more detail.
Badge holder sizes
Holders are named by the insert they take, not their outside size. A "4 x 3 holder" takes a 4 x 3 inch badge and measures a little larger on the outside. Print your badge at the insert size. If you print at the outer size, it will not slide in.
| Holder | Insert size | Outer size |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 3 in horizontal, slot | 4 x 3 in (102 x 76 mm) | 4-1/4 x 3-3/16 in (108 x 81 mm) |
| 4 x 3 in horizontal, mid-size | 4 x 3 in (102 x 76 mm) | 4.33 x 3.35 in (110 x 85 mm) |
| Convention size, U-clip slot | 4 x 3.63 in (102 x 92 mm) | 4.33 x 3.88 in (110 x 99 mm) |
| Credit-card size | 86 x 60 mm | 92 x 67 mm |
| A6 portrait | 105 x 148 mm | 114 x 177 mm |
- Check the orientation. The same insert size comes as a horizontal or a vertical holder. A landscape badge in a vertical holder hangs sideways.
- Check the attachment. Slot holders take a lanyard clip. Hole-punched holders take a bulldog clip or a hook. Some come with a pin, clip or magnet instead.
- Leave a safe margin. Some holder pockets run a few millimetres smaller than the nominal size. Keep names and QR codes at least 3 mm (1/8 in) from the edge.
Permanent staff name badge sizes
Engraved or printed badges that staff wear every day are much smaller than event badges, because people read them across a counter rather than a room.
| Size (inches) | Size (mm) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1 x 3 in | 25 x 76 mm | Name only, the most common staff badge |
| 1.5 x 3 in | 38 x 76 mm | Name and job title |
| 2 x 3 in | 51 x 76 mm | Name, title and logo, or trade show staff |
| 1.25 x 3.5 in | 32 x 89 mm | Executive style |
Which name badge size should you choose?
- Conference or trade show. 4 x 3 inches landscape. Holders are easy to buy, and there is room for a large first name, company and a QR code.
- Badge with a schedule or map on the back. 4 x 6 inches, or A6 outside North America.
- Meetup, workshop or mixer. a 3.5 x 2.25 inch stick-on name tag. No holders or lanyards to hand out.
- Venue access control. a credit-card size (CR80) badge, which fits card printers and standard ID holders.
- Outside North America. A7 for a standard badge, A6 for a large one. Buy holders first and design to their insert size.
The free event badge maker lays out badges at 4 x 3 inches, 3 x 4 inches or 3.5 x 2.25 inches from an attendee CSV, with a QR code on each badge that saves that person's contact.
How big the name should be on the badge
The badge size matters because of the name on it. People read badges from a couple of metres away, often at an angle. Terratag's own print tests suggest these minimums for a badge read at 2 to 3 metres:
| Line | Suggested size |
|---|---|
| First name | 32 pt or larger |
| Last name | 22 to 28 pt |
| Company or job title | 14 to 20 pt |
A simple test: print one badge, tape it to a wall and step back three metres. If you cannot read the first name, make it bigger. Our guide to conference name badges covers layout, what to leave off, and where the QR code goes.
How many badges fit on a page
| Badge size | A4 | US Letter |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 3 in or 3 x 4 in | 4 | 6 |
| 3.5 x 2.25 in | 9 | 9 |
| Avery 5392 inserts, 3 x 4 in | US Letter only | 6 per sheet |
| Avery 5395 labels, 2-1/3 x 3-3/8 in | US Letter only | 8 per sheet |
The A4 and US Letter counts are the layouts the event badge maker produces, with cut marks in the margin. For paper stock, print settings and what each printing route costs, see how to print event badges.
