Nano Slot

You are probably here because you just got a new device on your hands. And after unboxing it and turning it on you discovered that your SIM card doesn't fit inside the new slot! This actually just happened to me after upgrading to a Galaxy 6S Edge from my beloved Nexus 5. Been there, done that. I'm with you on this one.

• Nano Sd Card In Regular Sd Card Slot
• Nanoblock Sloth
• Nano Slot Waveguide
• Slot Nano Sim
• Nano Cloth Scam

It doesn't matter wether you had an old phone with a regular-sized SIM card or a newer phone with Micro SIM – you can cut the SIM card to fit inside your new device in just a few minutes!

A nano SIM is the smallest SIM card size, and it's also the most modern (other than eSIMs, which we'll get to further down) having been introduced in 2012. This is basically just a small circuit board with almost nothing around it, and it's the kind used by the vast majority of modern devices. Nano SIM will be perfect to perform everything precisely like current SIM cards however there is a major favorable position that is just piece of Nano SIM. The similarly little size of these SIM enables space for technologists to make future advancements in the field of media transmission. The interchangeable lock heads are compatible with three different laptop lock slots: Kensington K-Slot, Kensington Nano, and Noble Wedgelock. It's an ideal way to secure your laptop, such as HP Notebook PC or Dell XPS, or other devices such as monitors, docking stations, projectors, and drive enclosures.

Disclaimer: Do it at your own risk. Trendblog takes no responsibility to any damage to the SIM card and/or phone.

Having said that, it's actually quite easy to do if you follow the guide below.

What you will need:

1. Your SIM card
2. A cutting template (you have to print it yourself)
3. Kitchen knife or good scissors

Optional:

1. Tape (chewing gum will also do the trick)
2. Sand paper or nail file

SIM card cutting template

Cutting a SIM card without a template might lead to you destroying it, so don't do that unless you have a SIM card cutter. First things first, go ahead and download a template, which the guys over at GoSoftWorks prepared for you.

When printing the cutting guide, make sure to NOT check the option 'Fit to page' or any other setting that might change the size of the original document for printing.

How to cut a Micro SIM card to Nano SIM

1. Align your SIM card with the template, contacts up
   • Secure it in place with tape or a piece of chewing gum (yup, it works too)
   • If the SIM card is bigger or smaller than the template – print it again with different settings. This is crucial to making the right cuts.
2. Align your kitchen knife with the guides and press down on the SIM card to make markers for later
   • Start with the 45 degree angle cut (bottom right edge)
3. Complete the cuts with a heavy kitchen knife or good scissors

Only attempt to cut the SIM card with very good scissors, otherwise you might break it. My preferred method is using a Chef's Knife, placing it on the markers (from Step 2) and gradually increasing the pressure to make a clean cut. Repeat that 5 times and you will end up with your almost finished Nano SIM card.

Remember: it's always better to cut off less. Don't try to be super precise if you fear destroying your card. Cut just a tiny bit less off than you actually need to, you can always sand the edges later for the perfect fit. If you need to sand down your new Nano SIM to make it fit, only sand the edges. Don't sand the gold contact!

Some SIM card's gold contact will be larger than others. This means that some of you will actually need to cut a part of the gold contact to make the SIM card fit into the new slot. Don't worry though. Just follow the guides from the template and your SIM card will be just fine. If your SIM card happens to have a larger than usual gold contact and you're afraid of cutting it – just do it. Your card will work just like it's supposed to.

SIM Card Dimensions

There are three standards of SIM cards that are commonly used in phones: Mini-SIM (we know it as the 'regular' SIM card), Micro-SIM and Nano-SIM.

• Mini-SIM – 25 mm x 15 mm x 0.76 mm (height x width x depth)
• Micro-SIM – 15 mm x 12 mm x 0.76 mm
• Nano-SIM – 12.3 mm x 8.8 mm x 0.67 mm

As you can see, Nano-SIM cards are slightly thinner than Mini- and Micro SIMs. Nevertheless, even if you cut a Micro-SIM to fit into a Nano-SIM tray, you should be just fine.

Which SIM card fits into your device?

Not sure which kind of SIM you need to use? Here's a list of popular devices and which SIM cards you need to have.

• iPhone 4 & 4S – Micro SIM
• iPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6S (also all Plus models) – Nano SIM
• LG Nexus 4 & 5 – Micro SIM
• LG G X – Micro SIM
• Samsung Galaxy A3, A5 & A7 – Nano SIM
• Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5 – Micro SIM
• Samsung Galaxy S6 (edge) – Nano SIM
• Sony Xperia E3, E4, M, M2, S, T, Z, Z1, Z2 – Micro SIM
• Sony Xperia Z3 – Nano SIM

All smartphones (and feature phones and other types of mobile phones) require a SIM card to connect to a mobile network – as, in fact, do mobile broadband devices, and any tablets that offer mobile connectivity.

But while you're sure to have at least one gadget in your life that needs a SIM card, not all SIM cards are the same, as they come in three different sizes and four different common types.

Below then we'll explain what those three different sizes are, which you're most likely to need, how to adapt a SIM card to a different size, and generally tell you everything else you need to know about SIM cards

1. SIM Card Sizes

1.1 Why are there different-sized SIM cards?

There are different-sized SIM cards because it has become increasingly desirable to have smaller SIM cards, since that frees up more space in a phone (or other device) for other tech, without making the phone larger.

However, while that means that the most common SIM cards are a lot smaller than a standard SIM card, the older, larger SIM card sizes are still in use too in some older devices, and in some devices that don't need to make the most of their space.

1.2 What are the different SIM card types?

There are four common SIM card types, which are as follows:

• Nano SIM

A nano SIM is the smallest SIM card size, and it's also the most modern (other than eSIMs, which we'll get to further down) having been introduced in 2012. This is basically just a small circuit board with almost nothing around it, and it's the kind used by the vast majority of modern devices.

• Micro SIM

A micro SIM card is the middle size. These have more plastic around them than a nano SIM, but less than a standard SIM. In terms of smartphones, you might need one of these if your phone is over five years old, but they're rarely used in recent years. Indeed, they were introduced in 2003, so they're getting on a bit now.

• Standard SIM

A standard SIM is the biggest SIM card size currently in use, and despite being thought of as the ‘standard' it's the most rarely used. It has a large amount of plastic around the chip, and tends to only be found in the oldest of phones (and some other devices).

It was introduced back in 1996, and as the oldest of them it was the standard for a while – hence the name.

Nano Sd Card In Regular Sd Card Slot

Note that standard SIM cards are also sometimes known as regular SIMs or mini SIMs – the latter because there was an even bigger credit card-sized SIM card available when these launched, but they're no longer used.

• Combi SIM

A combi SIM (sometimes called a multi SIM or trio SIM) combines all three sizes of SIM card into one, so you can easily just pop out the one you need.

This is the type you'll typically be sent by a mobile network, so you don't need to worry about requesting the right SIM card size. Note however that while you'll be able to pop out whichever size you want, you won't then be able to make the SIM card bigger again, so if you ever need to move up a size you'll either need an adapter (explained below) or to request a new SIM card.

1.3 What are the physical dimensions for each SIM card size?

The chart below provides a clearer look at the exact size of each SIM card type. You'll note that combi SIMs aren't included and that's because at their full size they're the same size as a standard SIM, then if you pop out a smaller section it will match the relevant SIM card size below.

Comparison of SIM card dimensions. Please note: Nano SIMs are 0.09mm thinner than Standard SIM and Micro SIM.

1.4 What other differences exist between Standard Sim, Micro Sim and Nano Sim?

No other differences exist between these SIM card types, it's literally just the size. If there were other differences then combi SIMs wouldn't really be possible.

2. Which SIM do I have, and which do I need?

Which SIM card you have will depend on a number of things. If you received one recently it's likely a combi SIM, since that's what networks tend to supply.

Cutting a SIM card without a template might lead to you destroying it, so don't do that unless you have a SIM card cutter. First things first, go ahead and download a template, which the guys over at GoSoftWorks prepared for you.

When printing the cutting guide, make sure to NOT check the option 'Fit to page' or any other setting that might change the size of the original document for printing.

How to cut a Micro SIM card to Nano SIM

1. Align your SIM card with the template, contacts up
   • Secure it in place with tape or a piece of chewing gum (yup, it works too)
   • If the SIM card is bigger or smaller than the template – print it again with different settings. This is crucial to making the right cuts.
2. Align your kitchen knife with the guides and press down on the SIM card to make markers for later
   • Start with the 45 degree angle cut (bottom right edge)
3. Complete the cuts with a heavy kitchen knife or good scissors

Only attempt to cut the SIM card with very good scissors, otherwise you might break it. My preferred method is using a Chef's Knife, placing it on the markers (from Step 2) and gradually increasing the pressure to make a clean cut. Repeat that 5 times and you will end up with your almost finished Nano SIM card.

Remember: it's always better to cut off less. Don't try to be super precise if you fear destroying your card. Cut just a tiny bit less off than you actually need to, you can always sand the edges later for the perfect fit. If you need to sand down your new Nano SIM to make it fit, only sand the edges. Don't sand the gold contact!

Some SIM card's gold contact will be larger than others. This means that some of you will actually need to cut a part of the gold contact to make the SIM card fit into the new slot. Don't worry though. Just follow the guides from the template and your SIM card will be just fine. If your SIM card happens to have a larger than usual gold contact and you're afraid of cutting it – just do it. Your card will work just like it's supposed to.

SIM Card Dimensions

There are three standards of SIM cards that are commonly used in phones: Mini-SIM (we know it as the 'regular' SIM card), Micro-SIM and Nano-SIM.

• Mini-SIM – 25 mm x 15 mm x 0.76 mm (height x width x depth)
• Micro-SIM – 15 mm x 12 mm x 0.76 mm
• Nano-SIM – 12.3 mm x 8.8 mm x 0.67 mm

As you can see, Nano-SIM cards are slightly thinner than Mini- and Micro SIMs. Nevertheless, even if you cut a Micro-SIM to fit into a Nano-SIM tray, you should be just fine.

Which SIM card fits into your device?

Not sure which kind of SIM you need to use? Here's a list of popular devices and which SIM cards you need to have.

• iPhone 4 & 4S – Micro SIM
• iPhone 5, 5S, 6, 6S (also all Plus models) – Nano SIM
• LG Nexus 4 & 5 – Micro SIM
• LG G X – Micro SIM
• Samsung Galaxy A3, A5 & A7 – Nano SIM
• Samsung Galaxy S3, S4, S5 – Micro SIM
• Samsung Galaxy S6 (edge) – Nano SIM
• Sony Xperia E3, E4, M, M2, S, T, Z, Z1, Z2 – Micro SIM
• Sony Xperia Z3 – Nano SIM

All smartphones (and feature phones and other types of mobile phones) require a SIM card to connect to a mobile network – as, in fact, do mobile broadband devices, and any tablets that offer mobile connectivity.

But while you're sure to have at least one gadget in your life that needs a SIM card, not all SIM cards are the same, as they come in three different sizes and four different common types.

Below then we'll explain what those three different sizes are, which you're most likely to need, how to adapt a SIM card to a different size, and generally tell you everything else you need to know about SIM cards

1. SIM Card Sizes

1.1 Why are there different-sized SIM cards?

There are different-sized SIM cards because it has become increasingly desirable to have smaller SIM cards, since that frees up more space in a phone (or other device) for other tech, without making the phone larger.

However, while that means that the most common SIM cards are a lot smaller than a standard SIM card, the older, larger SIM card sizes are still in use too in some older devices, and in some devices that don't need to make the most of their space.

1.2 What are the different SIM card types?

There are four common SIM card types, which are as follows:

• Nano SIM

A nano SIM is the smallest SIM card size, and it's also the most modern (other than eSIMs, which we'll get to further down) having been introduced in 2012. This is basically just a small circuit board with almost nothing around it, and it's the kind used by the vast majority of modern devices.

• Micro SIM

A micro SIM card is the middle size. These have more plastic around them than a nano SIM, but less than a standard SIM. In terms of smartphones, you might need one of these if your phone is over five years old, but they're rarely used in recent years. Indeed, they were introduced in 2003, so they're getting on a bit now.

• Standard SIM

A standard SIM is the biggest SIM card size currently in use, and despite being thought of as the ‘standard' it's the most rarely used. It has a large amount of plastic around the chip, and tends to only be found in the oldest of phones (and some other devices).

It was introduced back in 1996, and as the oldest of them it was the standard for a while – hence the name.

Nano Sd Card In Regular Sd Card Slot

Note that standard SIM cards are also sometimes known as regular SIMs or mini SIMs – the latter because there was an even bigger credit card-sized SIM card available when these launched, but they're no longer used.

• Combi SIM

A combi SIM (sometimes called a multi SIM or trio SIM) combines all three sizes of SIM card into one, so you can easily just pop out the one you need.

This is the type you'll typically be sent by a mobile network, so you don't need to worry about requesting the right SIM card size. Note however that while you'll be able to pop out whichever size you want, you won't then be able to make the SIM card bigger again, so if you ever need to move up a size you'll either need an adapter (explained below) or to request a new SIM card.

1.3 What are the physical dimensions for each SIM card size?

The chart below provides a clearer look at the exact size of each SIM card type. You'll note that combi SIMs aren't included and that's because at their full size they're the same size as a standard SIM, then if you pop out a smaller section it will match the relevant SIM card size below.

Comparison of SIM card dimensions. Please note: Nano SIMs are 0.09mm thinner than Standard SIM and Micro SIM.

1.4 What other differences exist between Standard Sim, Micro Sim and Nano Sim?

No other differences exist between these SIM card types, it's literally just the size. If there were other differences then combi SIMs wouldn't really be possible.

2. Which SIM do I have, and which do I need?

Which SIM card you have will depend on a number of things. If you received one recently it's likely a combi SIM, since that's what networks tend to supply.

Failing that, unless it's one that you've had for many years it's probably a nano SIM, since they've been the most common for 5+ years.

However, to tell for sure just look at the picture at the top of this article and compare the SIM card types to yours – remembering that a mini SIM is another name for a standard SIM.

As for which you need, that will depend on your device, but the same general logic applies – for most modern smartphones, you'll want a nano SIM. However, since networks supply combi SIMs you shouldn't need to specify – just order one of those and then when it arrives you can pop out the right size for your phone.

3. SIM adapters and DIY downsizing

If you have the wrong SIM card size for your phone then wherever possible the best thing to do is simply to request a new one from your network and get your number transferred to that.

However, there are alternative options. If your SIM card is too large for your phone then you can buy a SIM card cutting tool. These tend to look a bit like a stapler, but they trim your card down to the correct size and shape.

If on the other hand your SIM card is too small for your phone then you can get a SIM adapter. This is a plastic frame that you can put your SIM card in, to essentially upsize it to micro or standard size.

Both of these tools can be purchased, and some independent phone accessory stores and the like also offer SIM card cutting services. However, there's always a risk of damaging the card when cutting it, so we don't recommend it.

4. Future SIM technology: eSIMs

While most smartphones and other relevant devices currently use the SIM card types listed above, there is another type, and it's not just a different size.

An eSIM is an embedded SIM card (that's what the ‘e' is for) meaning that you can't remove it from your phone or other device.

This essentially makes them even smaller, as there's no need for the removable SIM card slot container, therefore freeing up more space for other tech. But the main advantages of eSIMs include making it theoretically much easier to change networks and plans – since you can't change the SIM card in your device, it would need to be possible to change network while keeping the same card, so there's no need to swap to a new one.

Plus, multiple networks and numbers can be stored on an eSIM, so you can potentially have multiple numbers on a single SIM. And you won't need to worry about navigating all the different SIM card sizes detailed above.

Some devices already use eSIMs. These include the likes of the iPhone 11 range, the Google Pixel 4 range, and a handful of other phones, as well as wearables such as the Apple Watch 5 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. However, the vast majority of phones with an eSIM card slot also have a normal SIM card slot currently, as not all networks yet support eSIMs.

5. FAQs

• What are the different SIM card sizes?

The different SIM card sizes include nano SIM (which is the smallest), micro SIM (which is the middle size), and a standard SIM or regular SIM (sometimes called a mini SIM), which is the largest.

• Where can I buy a SIM that fits any phone or tablet?

Mobile networks supply something called a combi SIM, trio SIM or multi SIM, which includes all three possible SIM card sizes. This is usually offered as standard.

• Can I put any SIM in my device?

No, you need the right size SIM card, which in most cases will be a nano SIM. If your device is locked to a specific network then you also need the SIM card to be for that network.

• Do SIM cards fit all phones?

All mobile phones use SIM cards but they don't all use the same size ones, so you'll need one that's the right size for your phone. In most cases this will be a nano SIM.

• Which phones use a nano SIM?

Most smartphones made from around 2015 onwards will use a nano SIM card. That includes big name handsets like the iPhone 11, iPhone XS, iPhone SE (2020), Samsung Galaxy S20, Samsung Galaxy Note 10, OnePlus 8, and many, many more.

• What is the most common size SIM card?

Nano SIM cards are the most common size – most smartphones made from around 2015 onwards use a nano SIM card.

• Can you convert a standard SIM to a nano SIM?

Yes, you can use a SIM card cutting tool to convert a standard SIM to a nano SIM. However, this isn't recommended as it risks damaging the SIM card. In general you're better off requesting a new SIM card from your network.

• What size is a mini SIM card?

A mini SIM card is another name for a standard SIM. It was originally called a mini SIM because when it first launched there was a larger full-size SIM card in use too, but these larger ones are no longer used, so mini SIMs have become standard SIMs.

• What is a SIM card adapter?

A SIM card adapter is a piece of plastic that you can place a micro or nano SIM card in to convert it into a larger size.

• What happens if you take out your SIM card and put it in another phone?

If you put your SIM card in another phone then – as long as the card and phone support the same network – people will then be able to call and text you on that phone, and you'll be able to make calls and send texts of your own from it, using the same network and allowances as you had on your old phone.

Phone numbers and other data may also be transferred along with the SIM card, if they were saved to the card.

Nanoblock Sloth

• What is a combi SIM?

Nano Slot Waveguide

A combi SIM is a SIM card that contains all three possible sizes, with perforations allowing you to pop out the size you need. These are sometimes called trio SIMs or multi SIMs.

Slot Nano Sim

• Are sim cards universal?

Nano Cloth Scam

SIM cards all contain the same tech; however they vary in size, and are typically locked to a specific network.