Index Cards

An index card is card stock cut to a standard size, most commonly 3” x 5”. The system of using these small cards as an index or means to quickly look up information was invented by Carl Linnaeus in the mid 1700s. Since then, index cards have been widely used for note-taking, storing recipes, keeping up with contact information and other organizational needs. Index cards are most commonly white but now come in a variety of other colors as well.

Index card sizes vary. See below for the most common size options.

What Size Is a ¼ Index Card?

While the measurements above refer to an index card’s width and length, card thickness is also an element to look at. Index cards traditionally are made from card stock, which is thicker than typical printer paper, but could still be prone to ink bleed-through. Index cards with a ¼ inch thickness are also available and are made of a sturdier tagboard card. This thickness makes them more resistant to bending and bleed-through.

There are a few different types of index cards to choose from. See the most common below.

Colored Index Cards

Index cards come in just about every standard color you can think of, making it easy to coordinate projects and activities effectively. Parents and teachers can color-code note cards by subject or difficulty to help students glide along the learning path. Offices can categorize client and vendor contact information easily for quick reference in the future. At home, colored index cards make it easy to assign chore lists for everyone so that there's no more hassle of remembering who has to do what.

Ruled vs. Unruled Index Cards

Ruled note cards help keep information neat and legible. These cards feature light blue lines that help guide writing, so they’re great for young students or those who struggle with handwriting. Unruled cards on the other hand have no lines and are ideal for flashcards, doodling or making diagrams.

Bulk Packs of Index Cards

The number of cards needed varies from project to project. Small packs of up to 50 cards are generally suitable for home use, while bulk packs of 500 to more than 1,000 cards are handy to have in the classroom or office supply closet. Keep a variety of note cards on hand so students and staff always have what they need.

Eco-Conscious Index Cards

Staples carries a variety of environmentally friendly index card options that are made from recycled materials. After use, your index cards can once again be recycled, making less of an impact on environmental resources.

Index cards have a wide range of uses, and there’s no rule for how to use them. They’re most commonly used to document and organize notes in a succinct manner, but their uses are truly endless. At home, index cards can be used to jot down recipes, phone messages, reminders, shopping lists, notes and more. Index cards are most often used in schools and offices, however.

How Can Index Cards Aid Teachers and Students in the Classroom?

Index cards are an effective way to help students learn. For younger students, teachers can print letters to be copied or help create flashcards so students can practice material. Older students can use the cards for note-taking and to prepare for tests on their own or with classmates.

Index Cards for Organization and Filing

Businesses who want to store notes or contact information on index cards may want to consider purchasing index card holders and dividers. Index card holders, cases and plastic containers with hinged lids can easily store index cards in a secure location. Lockable security boxes provide added security to safeguard important information, or consider index card dividers to easily organize all of your index cards.

Other Creative Uses for Index Cards