How to Print on Index Cards (3x5 and 4x6) in Word, Google Docs and on a Mac

Published September 30, 2026. Written by William Elward, founder of Castle Ink.

Quick answer

To print on index cards, set your document's page size to the card size (Index Card 3 x 5 in or 4 x 6 in), set margins to about 0.25 inches, then in the print dialog choose the same paper size and a paper type like Cardstock or Heavy. Load the cards one or a few at a time, centered, with the paper guides snug, in the rear tray or manual feed if your printer has one. Print a test on plain paper cut to size first. If your printer can't feed cards that small, print 3 or 4 cards per letter sheet on perforated index card stock instead.

Index card sizes at a glance

Index cards are usually around 110 lb index stock, thicker than copy paper but thinner than heavy cardstock, so most home printers handle them well. More on paper weights in Printer paper 101.

Can my printer print on index cards?

Most inkjet and many laser printers can, but check the minimum paper size in your manual or spec sheet. Many home inkjets accept 3x5 or 4x6 because they're common photo sizes. If the smallest supported size is 4x6, use 4x6 cards or the multi-card sheet method below. Printers with a straight rear feed or a manual feed slot handle small, stiff cards best.

How to print index cards in Microsoft Word

1. Open a new document and go to Layout > Size.
2. Pick Index Card 3x5 in (or 4x6) if it's listed. If not, choose More Paper Sizes and enter the width and height. For a card printed lengthwise, set width 5 in and height 3 in.
3. Go to Layout > Margins > Custom Margins and set 0.25 in on all sides. Word may warn that margins are outside the printable area; click Fix to use the printer's minimum.
4. Type one card per page. Press Ctrl + Enter (Cmd + Enter on Mac) to start the next card.
5. Go to File > Print, choose your printer, open Printer Properties, and set paper size to match and paper type to Cardstock, Heavy, or Matte.

If the index card size disappeared from Word's list, Microsoft's Q&A answer suggests creating a custom 3 x 5 size, updating your printer driver, and checking that the printer supports that size. Word's list comes partly from the printer driver.

How to print index cards in Google Docs

1. Go to File > Page setup.
2. Choose Pages format, then set a custom paper size of 5 x 3 inches (or 6 x 4) if your version offers custom sizes. Set margins to 0.25 in.
3. Add one card per page (Insert > Break > Page break).
4. Print with File > Print. In the browser print window, open More settings and set paper size to match, or choose "Print using system dialog" to reach your printer's full settings.

If your version of Docs doesn't offer the size you need, download the file as a PDF and print the PDF, or use the multi-card sheet method. More Docs tips: How to print from Google Docs.

How to print index cards on a Mac (Pages or any app)

1. In Pages, open Document in the sidebar and choose the card size from Paper Size if listed.
2. If it isn't, choose File > Page Setup > Paper Size > Manage Custom Sizes, click +, and enter 5 x 3 in with small margins.
3. Print and choose the same size plus Cardstock or Heavy media in the printer options.

No small-card support? Print 3 or 4 cards per sheet

Perforated index card sheets (for example, Avery 5388 has three 3x5 cards per letter sheet) feed like regular paper and tear apart cleanly. Use the matching free template from the label maker in Word or Google Docs, type your cards, and print on letter size. Find them at office stores or printable perforated index cards on Amazon. (As an Amazon Associate, Castle Ink earns from qualifying purchases.) You can also cut your own from 110 lb cardstock; see how to print on cardstock.

Which way do I load index cards?

• Front tray (most inkjets): print side down, short edge first, centered, guides snug.
• Rear tray or manual feed: print side usually up (facing you), short edge first.
• Lined cards: if you want text on the lines, load the lined side as the print side. Test on one card first.
• Two-sided cards: print side one, let it dry, flip the stack, and print side two. Mark the top edge with a pencil dot so you flip it the right way.

Quick test: draw an arrow on a plain sheet, feed it, and see which side and direction it prints on.

Tips for flash cards, recipe cards and speech notes

• Use a 14 to 18 pt font for speech cards so you can read them at arm's length.
• For flash cards, put the question on odd pages and the answer on even pages, then print single-sided and glue, or duplex manually.
• Grayscale saves color ink on study cards. See grayscale vs monochrome.
• Let inkjet cards dry a minute before stacking to avoid smudges.

Troubleshooting

Common questions

Can a laser printer print on index cards?

Usually, if the card size and weight are within the printer's specs. Use the manual feed and the Heavy or Cardstock setting so the fuser gets hot enough.

What's the best paper for DIY index cards?

110 lb index or 65 to 80 lb cover cardstock, cut to size after printing.

Can I print on the back of index cards?

Yes. Print one side, let it dry, flip, and print the other. Laser printers handle two-sided cards best.

How do I print one card per page in Word?

Set the page size to the card size so each page equals one card, then insert a page break after each card.

Related guides

• Paper sizes explained
• How to print business cards at home
• How to print labels at home
• How to print on envelopes
• Low on ink? Find ink by printer model or shop ink cartridges

About the author: William Elward is the founder of Castle Ink and has written about printers, ink cartridges, and printing technology for more than 20 years.