✓ Last reviewed & updated August 26, 2026  ·  Sourced from official PSA.gov.ph & PhilSys.gov.ph  ·  ⚠ Independent guide — not affiliated with PSA

National ID Size in the Philippines: CM, Inches & MM Explained (2026)

What’s new in this update: Refreshed against PSA’s latest release cadence — as of PhilSys’s most recent public count, over 90 million Filipinos are registered and more than 54.9 million physical cards have been delivered nationwide, so the CR80 card format below is now in more Filipino wallets than ever. We also rebuilt the size reference as an interactive tool instead of a static table, added a real photo-side-by-side comparison, and expanded the print-template section with a downloadable-ready spec sheet.
Quick answer: The Philippine National ID (PhilID) is built to the CR80 / ISO 7810 ID-1 card standard — the exact same footprint as a bank card. Tap the tool below to see the number in the unit you actually need, and how it lines up against your driver’s license, UMID, or passport.

National ID Size Tool — Check CM, Inches, MM & Compare

Pick a unit and a comparison card. The tool below calculates the figure live, so you can check exact dimensions, print margins, or how the PhilID compares to whatever card is already in your wallet.



PhilID (CR80)
8.56 × 5.40 cm

function mmTo(unit, mm) { if (unit === "cm") return (mm / 10).toFixed(2) + " cm"; if (unit === "inches") return (mm / 25.4).toFixed(3) + '"'; return mm.toFixed(2) + " mm"; }

function render() { var unit = document.getElementById("unit-select").value; var compareKey = document.getElementById("compare-select").value;

document.getElementById("philid-value").textContent = mmTo(unit, PHILID_MM.w) + " \u00d7 " + mmTo(unit, PHILID_MM.h);

var compareCardEl = document.getElementById("compare-card"); var visualCompareEl = document.getElementById("visual-compare"); var verdictEl = document.getElementById("result-verdict");

if (compareKey === "none") { compareCardEl.style.display = "none"; visualCompareEl.style.display = "none"; verdictEl.textContent = ""; return; }

var card = CARDS[compareKey]; compareCardEl.style.display = "block"; document.getElementById("compare-label").textContent = card.name; document.getElementById("compare-value").textContent = mmTo(unit, card.mm.w) + " \u00d7 " + mmTo(unit, card.mm.h); verdictEl.innerHTML = card.note;

// scale visual boxes proportionally (px per mm, capped for layout) var scale = 3.2; var philEl = document.getElementById("visual-philid"); philEl.style.width = (PHILID_MM.w * scale) + "px"; philEl.style.height = (PHILID_MM.h * scale) + "px";

visualCompareEl.style.display = "flex"; visualCompareEl.style.width = (card.mm.w * scale) + "px"; visualCompareEl.style.height = (card.mm.h * scale) + "px"; visualCompareEl.textContent = card.name; }

document.getElementById("unit-select").addEventListener("change", render); document.getElementById("compare-select").addEventListener("change", render); render(); })();

Tool note: figures are based on the official CR80/ISO 7810 ID-1 specification (85.60 × 53.98 mm) and publicly documented dimensions for each comparison card. This is a reference tool, not an official PSA measurement service.

Why the PhilID Uses the CR80 Standard

Every PhilSys card traces its dimensions back to one international spec: ISO/IEC 7810 ID-1, more commonly called CR80 in the card-printing industry. It’s the same designation that governs your bank card, most driver’s licenses worldwide, and the majority of national ID programs outside the Philippines.

The Philippine government didn’t pick this size arbitrarily. Republic Act No. 11055, which created PhilSys, effectively locks the PhilID into a format that already has global infrastructure built around it:

  • Wallet compatibility — every card slot manufactured for a bank card already fits the PhilID. No special sleeve or holder needed.
  • Reader compatibility — card readers at banks, airports, and government counters are already built for CR80 dimensions.
  • Cross-border verification — because most countries’ national IDs share this format, the PhilID is legible to systems built for other countries’ cards too, which matters for OFWs and dual-use verification.
How to Replace a Damaged National ID in the Philippines (2026)

How to Replace a Damaged National ID Size in the Philippines (2026)

 

What CR80 does not define: the standard only fixes width, height, and the corner-radius range — not the card material or exact thickness within its tolerance band. The PSA’s choice of 30-mil polycarbonate over standard PVC is a durability decision, not a size requirement.

CR80 vs. CR79 vs. CR100: Full Format Comparison

If you’re designing or sourcing ID cards rather than just checking your PhilID, here’s how the three formats you’ll encounter most often actually differ:

Format Size (mm) Size (inches) Where you’ll see it
CR80 (ID-1) 85.60 × 53.98 3.375″ × 2.125″ National IDs, bank cards, driver’s licenses
CR79 84.00 × 52.00 3.303″ × 2.051″ Proximity access cards, clamshell inserts
CR100 100.00 × 70.00 3.88″ × 2.63″ Military IDs, large-format event badges

A CR79 card will sit loosely in a wallet slot built for CR80. A CR100 card won’t fit a standard slot at all. CR80 is the only one of the three built specifically around everyday carry, which is exactly why it’s the default for government-issued ID worldwide.

What’s Actually Printed on the Card

Knowing the layout helps you both use the card correctly and recognize a genuine one.

Front of the PhilID

The front carries the Republic of the Philippines coat of arms, the PSA logo, and your 16-digit PhilSys Card Number (PCN) at the bottom. Your photo, full name, date of birth, and address are laser-engraved rather than printed — along with guilloche patterns, microprinting, and color-shifting ink as anti-counterfeiting measures. Unlike most other Philippine government IDs, the PhilID does not carry a handwritten signature.

Back of the PhilID

The back holds a scannable QR code, your sex, blood type, optional marital status, place of birth, date of issue, and a serial number. Your permanent 12-digit PhilSys Number (PSN) is not printed in full — it’s embedded in microprint and encoded in the QR code.

PCN vs. PSN: these are two different numbers. The PCN (visible, on the card) changes if your card is replaced. The PSN (your permanent registry number) never changes. See the National ID replacement guide →

Card Thickness & Material

Thickness in the card industry is measured in mils (thousandths of an inch). The PhilID sits at the standard 30 mil — the same as most bank cards — but the material underneath is different.

Thickness Millimeters Typical use
10 mil 0.25 mm Flexible, temporary event badges
20 mil 0.51 mm Gift cards, hotel key cards
30 mil 0.76 mm National IDs, credit cards, driver’s licenses
40 mil 1.02 mm Heavy-duty access cards, military IDs

The PhilID uses polycarbonate, not the PVC found in most bank cards. Polycarbonate is stiffer and more tamper-resistant at the same thickness — it’s why the card feels less flexible than a typical credit card even though the numbers match.

National ID Size vs. Other Philippine Government IDs

Philippine ID Size (cm) Format
PhilSys National ID 8.56 × 5.40 CR80 / ISO ID-1
Driver’s License (LTO) 8.56 × 5.40 CR80 / ISO ID-1
UMID Card (SSS/GSIS) 8.56 × 5.40 CR80 / ISO ID-1
Postal ID 8.56 × 5.40 CR80 / ISO ID-1
Voter’s ID (discontinued) Varies by print batch Non-CR80, printing stopped 2017
Passport (data page) 12.50 × 8.80 ISO ID-3 (booklet)
About the Voter’s ID row: COMELEC stopped printing the physical Voter’s ID in 2017, so any card still circulating is old stock with no single current spec. If you need a current COMELEC document, ask for a Voter’s Certification — though as of 2026 the National ID itself is already accepted for voter registration purposes.

Three Formats, One Size Rule: Physical Card, ePhilID, and Digital ID

PhilSys issues the National ID in three formats, and only one of them follows a fixed physical size:

  • Physical PhilID card — the polycarbonate CR80 card delivered by PHLPost. This is the primary, fixed-size format.
  • ePhilID — a paper printout on standard A4/letter security paper, issued right after biometric capture. Considerably larger than the card; some people laminate and trim theirs, though PSA doesn’t officially recommend it.
  • Digital National ID (via the eGovPH app) — no fixed size at all. It renders to fit whatever screen it’s displayed on, with a dynamic QR code for real-time verification.
Tip: if your physical card hasn’t arrived yet, the Digital National ID Size is fully valid for banks, government transactions, and e-wallet verification. Get your Digital National ID →

Designing a CR80-Format Card? Full Print Specs

If you’re producing an employee badge, membership card, or event pass in the same universal size as the PhilID — not a replica of the PhilID itself — here’s the working spec:

Spec Value
Canvas size (with bleed) 8.89 × 5.72 cm (3.5″ × 2.25″)
Trimmed final size 8.56 × 5.40 cm (3.375″ × 2.125″)
Bleed margin 1.5 mm all sides
Safe zone from trim edge 3 mm minimum
Corner radius 2.88–3.48 mm
Resolution 300 DPI minimum, CMYK
Warning: don’t attempt to replicate the actual PhilID. Its laser engraving, guilloche patterns, and color-shifting ink can’t be reproduced on commercial printers, and forging a National ID is a criminal offense under RA 11055. If you need a valid copy of your own ID, download your Digital National ID through the eGovPH app. The specs above are strictly for designing your own original CR80-sized card.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the exact size of the Philippine National ID?

It follows the CR80/ISO 7810 ID-1 card standard — the same footprint as a bank card. Use the interactive size tool above to see the figure converted to your preferred unit and compared against other cards.

Is the National ID Size the same size as a credit card?

Yes, in width and height. The difference is the card material — see the thickness & material section for why the PhilID feels stiffer than a typical bank card.

How thick is the Philippine National ID card?

It’s built to the standard card thickness used across most government and bank cards. Full comparison with thinner and heavier card stock is in the thickness table above.

What’s the difference between CR80, CR79, and CR100?

Three different ISO card formats for different purposes — see the full format comparison table for exact dimensions and where each is used.

Does the ePhilID or Digital National ID follow the same size as the physical card?

No — only the physical card has a fixed CR80 size. The three-format breakdown above explains how the paper and digital versions differ.

Can I print my own National ID at home?

No — only the PSA can legally produce the physical card, and home replication is not achievable given the card’s security features. If you’re waiting on delivery, the Digital National ID is a valid interim option; see the formats section above.

What canvas size and bleed should I use for a CR80-format card?

See the full print-template specification table above for canvas size, bleed, safe zone, corner radius, and resolution.