Hey everyone! Does anyone have a suggestion for good mini Tarot decks that are actually readable?
I have seen some keyring-sized decks but they seem to be more of a novelty deck rather than something you’d actually use. I would love a mini deck that is actually real and I could use it just like a normal sized deck.
Please!
Does anyone have recommendations for quality tarot decks that come in smaller or mini versions? I’m primarily RWS-based and looking for something that won’t sacrifice too much detail in the artwork despite the reduced size.
If you want something small and portable while still being a real deck worth using, then the easy choice is Wild Unknown. But this pocket edition, which is smaller than the normal one:
If you want a serious deck that’s small, then… @WarmSoul is dead on. TWU is one of the most popular decks out there and the mini version is easy to travel with and use.
If, for whatever reason, you want something more… novelty-sized?
I would never use these for a “serious” reading or for doing a reading for someone else. But I suppose you could. It is the same Universal Waite cards and they’re small enough for a keyring but big enough to read clearly.
I have The Next World Tarot in both sizes. Got the larger one first, then picked up the smaller version when it came out too.
The smaller edition is good for travel and you can still read it fine. The artwork looks good even at the smaller size. I’ve used it more than the big one now for shadow work since the size makes it easier to handle.
Both versions work well for readings, so the smaller one isn’t really missing anything.
Fun fact: Pamela Colman Smith made miniature playing card illustrations back in 1899, way before the RWS deck. She knew that smaller formats needed bolder, simpler images.
Same idea works today, look for mini decks with high contrast and clear symbols instead of lots of tiny details. The Light Seer’s mini and the Everyday Tarot mini both do this well. They use bold colors and simpler compositions that work better at the smaller size.
I’ve used only the Sasuraibito Tiny Traveler for the past three years, it’s my one and only deck. You can find it on Etsy through stasiab’s shop.
I’m someone who prefers sticking with one deck rather than collecting a bunch. I picked this mini because the artwork is still clear and you can see all the symbols fine even though it’s small. It fits in my pocket so I can bring it anywhere. The small size works well for me, everything feels closer when you’re holding something that small.
Mini travel decks work well for this. I like the Hanson Roberts pocket edition. It’s roughly half the size of standard playing cards and still easy to read. The artwork holds up at the smaller size, and it’s RWS-based, so the symbolism is familiar.
I carry it a lot and it’s been handy at house parties when someone asks for a reading. The small size makes quick pulls at a coffee shop easy, and my friend with small hands can actually shuffle it without cards flying everywhere. Build quality is solid; mine has lived in bags for years and still looks good. It’s a working deck that fits in a pocket.
I usually reach for the Universal Waite Pocket. The softer colors make the images easier on my eyes, and I read them more clearly.
Minis feel quiet to me. I cup the deck in my off hand, take a breath, and pull a small spread on a café table. If you like muted colors, the Universal Waite works. If you want something flashier, the Golden Art Nouveau Mini has some shine. Lately I’ve stuck with the Waite.
If you can wait, Hay House has a pocket edition of the Lightseers Tarot coming out that might work for you.
For something you can get now, the Hanson Roberts deck is a good size, smaller than standard but still usable for readings. US Games has a bunch of pocket decks in tins. They’ve got different Rider Waite versions, including the Universal Waite in pocket size. Worth checking their website.
I’d skip the Lo Scarabeo mini editions. They’re tiny to the point where they’re more like a novelty than something you’d actually use. Just so you know, there are a lot of fake mini decks online. I’d stick with known publishers like the ones I mentioned, or order directly from the publisher. The quality difference is pretty noticeable with the smaller decks.
The RWS ‘Tarot of A. E. Waite’ has some good smaller editions if you’re looking for something portable. I’ve used the pocket versions for readings when I’m out and about.
There are also those ‘tarot in a tin’ editions from different publishers. They’re usually around 2.5’ x 3.5’, small enough for a pocket or purse but still readable.
If you want something more like playing card size, check out the Tarot Carlotydes. It’s become one of my go-to travel decks. The artwork works well at the smaller size and the card stock is nice.
The Tarot Nova is another compact option. It’s based on RWS but with updated art. The images stay clear even though they’re smaller.
I find mini decks can make readings feel more personal. They’re handy for travel but I use mine at home too.
I sometimes slip individual cards from my mini RWS into my wallet like business cards. Fun to pull out the High Priestess when someone least expects it.
The pocket size is really handy, I can pull a card anywhere. Coffee shops, lunch breaks, waiting rooms. The mini RWS has all the symbolism you need, so the readings are just as good as with a full-size deck. I’ve done a full Celtic Cross spread on an airplane tray table while the person next to me was wrestling with their giant crossword puzzle book. Made me appreciate having something so compact.
I have the Everyday Tarot mini which is 2.5 x 3.5 inches with nice artwork. But I’ve been using other decks more often for serious readings after it gave me a confusing reading about a job opportunity. My regular RWS deck got that one right.
The illustrations are pretty, but the smaller details make it harder for me to connect with the symbols I use for readings. It’s handy for travel though.
When someone’s asking important questions, I’ve found that not all mini decks work as well. If you’re thinking about getting one, maybe try it out in person first to see if it works for you.
When the cards get tiny, I really rely on the numbers more. 2s for balance, 3s for growth, 4s for stability, 5s for conflict, 7s for reflection, 8s for mastery, 9s for near-completion, 10s for endings. Even a tiny 5 of Cups still says ‘loss’ to me.
With the Major Arcana, the numbers help too, High Priestess (II) for intuition, Chariot (VII) for determination, Wheel (X) for change, World (XXI) for completion.
Can you read the Roman numerals easily on mini cards? Or do you need clear titles? Since you use RWS, do you want scenic pips where the imagery matches the number meaning (like 3 of Wands showing expansion)? Or are you okay just going by the number when the art gets small? If you try something like the Rider-Waite Mini, let me know if the 8s feel like movement (8 of Wands) or skill-building (8 of Pentacles) to you.
Before buying a mini deck, find a sample card image online and view it on your phone at the actual size (2.25x3.5 inches, or 1.75x2.75 for the really small ones). Helps you see if you can actually read the details. I also bring a dark cloth about the size of a sheet of paper when I’m using these. The tiny borders can get lost otherwise. Sometimes I’ll use a phone stand to prop up the Significator card.
For shuffling, I do an overhand shuffle and pinch the corners between my thumb and middle finger. Less wear on small cards that way. I keep mine in a coin pouch so they don’t get beaten up in my bag. If the titles are too small to read, you can put a tiny dot with an archival pen in the corner, one dot for Wands, two for Cups, etc. Just a quick reference without messing up the art.
I think I’ve been holding onto some weird shame about using mini decks, like they’re somehow less legitimate than my full-sized ones. Reading your post made me realize how much of that is just in my head.
The mini RWS is solid for portability without losing readability. The pocket Rider-Waite editions people mentioned are probably your best bet - small enough to carry around but you can still see the imagery fine.
I like pocket decks for throwing in my bag, but I do have issues with the small size sometimes.
I catch myself squinting at the details instead of just taking in the whole image. Kind of defeats the purpose if I’m straining to see what’s actually on the card.
