A Clear Guide for Trading Card Collectors

Finding the right toploader thickness is essential for protecting trading cards—especially modern memorabilia, relics, medallions, and booklet cards that come in a wide range of depths. While standard 20pt–35pt cards fit easily in traditional toploaders, thicker cards require holders designed specifically for their increased size.

This guide explains card thickness, how to measure it, how to use coins as quick references, and which BCW thick toploaders match each card type.

Why Card Thickness Matters

Many modern trading cards feature premium elements—patches, relics, helmets, medallions, or booklet-style designs—that naturally increase their thickness. While these enhancements add value and visual appeal, thicker cards also require more careful protection.

Without the correct holder:

• Corners can be damaged if the holder is too tight
• Cards may warp when compressed
• Edges can rub or shift inside an oversized holder

To prevent these issues, BCW manufactures thick card toploaders in multiple depths, measured in “points” (pt). These range from 59pt for slightly thicker cards to 360pt for the largest booklet-style cards.

For accurate sizing, BCW also provides a printable Card Thickness Point Gauge, allowing collectors to quickly measure card depth before choosing the appropriate toploader.

Download the BCW Card Thickness Guide

(Be sure to print it at 100% scale—no “fit to page”—so the measurements stay accurate.)

Measuring Card Thickness Using Coins

Coins can serve as a quick and accessible way to estimate card thickness when a point gauge is not available. To use this method:

1. Stack coins until the height matches the card’s thickness.
   
2. Compare the coin stack to the reference list below.
   
3. Select the BCW thick toploader that corresponds to that measurement.
   

Coin Thickness Reference
(20pt and 35pt standard cards do not require coin comparison.)

With the measurement determined, it becomes easier to identify which toploader size is appropriate for different types of thick trading cards. The following sections outline common card examples that fit each thickness.

Choosing the Right Thick Toploader 

Below are the different card thicknesses explained simply and clearly, along with examples that fit each size.

Standard Cards: 20pt & 35pt

Most TCG cards and modern base sports cards fall here.

Examples:
• 2000 SPx Kris Wilson Auto (Royals) – 35pt
• 2024 Prestige Deion Sanders (Falcons) – 35pt
• 2011 Bowman Sterling Eric Thames Auto (Royals) – 35pt

These fit perfectly in standard toploaders.

59pt – Thickness of 1 Dime

Slightly thicker than base cards. Great for light relics or thin autos.

Examples:
• 2002–03 SP Bill Hall Auto
• 2022 Heritage Nick Castellanos Clubhouse Collection Relic
• 2024 Topps Gunnar Henderson Major League Material
• 2024 Topps Holiday Relics (Perez, Alvarez, Casas)

79pt – Thickness of 1 Quarter

A comfortable fit for many mid-thickness memorabilia cards.

Examples:
• 2024 Topps Tribute Albert Pujols
• 2022/23 Bowman University Inception Arterio Morris Auto
• 2017 WWE Heritage Seth Rollins Mat Relic
• 2023–24 Hoops Anthony Edwards Rookie Remembrance Relic

108pt – Thickness of 1 Quarter + 1 Dime

Great for thicker game-used or dual memorabilia pieces.

Examples:
• 2006 SPx DeAngelo Williams Winning Materials
• 2018–19 Prizm Kevin Knox Sensational Swatches
• 2024 Donruss Optic Keon Coleman First Year Fresh Relic

138pt – Thickness of 2 Quarters

Common for patch cards and multi-layer relic constructions.

Examples:
• 2024 Tier One Kyle Tucker Relic
• 2007 SP Authentic Devern Hansack
• 2020 Flawless A.J. Puk Jumbo Relic
• 2021 Super Glow Darien Rencher Jumbo Apparel

168pt – Thickness of 2 Quarters + 1 Dime

Perfect for heavier manufactured relics and medallions.

Examples:
• 2019 Topps JD Martinez 150th Anniversary Medallion
• 2024 Topps Manny Machado “Rounding the Bases” Relic
• 2020 Topps Kyle Lewis Player Medallion
• 2018–19 SPx Eeli Tolvanen Relic

197pt – Thickness of 3 Quarters

Ideal for extra-thick memorabilia and autograph cards.

240pt – Thickness of 4 Quarters

Used for large embedded items like helmet pieces or booklet-style inserts.

Examples:
• 2022 Topps Update Gleyber Torres Batting Helmet Card
• 2009 Exquisite Steve Slaton “Auto-Biography” Booklet
• 2022 National Treasures Joe Morgan Booklet

360pt – Thickness of 5 Quarters

The thickest toploaders BCW makes—built for booklet cards.

Example:
• 2015–16 Upper Deck Ultimate Collection Zachary Fucale Rookie Auto Booklet

Final Thoughts: Protect the Cards That Matter

Trading cards vary widely in thickness, especially modern memorabilia releases. Choosing the proper toploader ensures the card sits safely without pressure, movement, or damage to corners and edges.

No matter the thickness—whether it matches a single dime or a stack of five quarters—BCW offers a thick toploader designed to fit it.

Collectors are encouraged to download the BCW Card Thickness Guide, measure with coins when needed, and select the appropriate holder to keep each card protected for the long term.