Card Files and Alternatives for Zettelkasten, Index, etc

Posted onAuthorBrian

Inspired by some of Chris Aldrich’s posts 1 on the subject, I thought I’d go hunting through his recommendations and I was saddened to learn that out of the few remaining manufactures, most had given up on card files. The following is an output of an evening of hunting around and ideating 2 alternate solutions. This list is United States centric. I have listed only products available in 4×6 nominal sizes and have linked to that size where possible, though most have at least 3×5 as well. Measurements other than card size are approximate and may be outside dimensions rather than inside.

I am in no way responsible for this information being incorrect. Most of it is compiled from available information which may be incorrect. Caveat emptor, buyer beware.

Boxes / Portable

There are several options that are still available, explicitly design for the purpose:

  • Acrimet Card File Holders: Metal body in various colors with a clear plastic hinged lid. Comes with a moveable divider/backstop. ~9.5″ long. Also available in business card (~2×3.5), 3×5, 4×6, 5×8, 6×9.
  • Globe-Weis / Pendaflex or Oxford: Fiberboard with a removable ‘tray’ lid, label holder with small handle and follower/backstop. ~11.5″ long. Available in several colors. The Oxford and Pendaflex look the same. Available in 3×5, 4×6, 5×8. These seem to be flimsy according to the amazon reviews, perhaps they have changed or are poorly shipped.
  • BCW Postcard Storage Box: ~6.5″W x 4.5″H x 14″L: Corrugated white cardboard. I think I’ve seen these for postcard displays before. The lid is deep enough to use as it’s own tray. The box is dipped along it’s length to allow access to flipping through the cards.
  • University Products Postcard Storage Boxes: ~4.5H x 6.125W x 8 or 12L. Grey board ‘tray’ lid, metal reinforced corners.
  • Bankers Box Liberty: There is a ~4.25x6x23.25″ that should fit index cards. It has overlapping top flaps. There are a couple other sizes, including those for checks. I can’t find a retailer that sells them singly; only in cartons of 12. (UPC 077511000034).
  • Magnet latch hinged lid: Heavyweight card, available under several brand names. I don’t like that the folds are on the inside and will snag the cards, also the magnetic lid could slide off while lifting. ~11.5″ long.
  • Other designs, like plastic recipe boxes and mini-road cases, are less efficient for high-volume storage or are expensive for the space.
  • Several designs, like cardboard drawers, I can no longer find available.

Alternates

The main group of alternate boxes are designed for similar items like photos.

I don’t love plastic but there are some decent options.

  • ArtBin Narrow Super Semi-Satchel: Clear plastic, hinged lid and a handle. A little large on the inside ~5.75″Hx7″Wx13″ long.
  • The Container Store Clearline Stackable Large Shoe Drawer: Clear sliding drawer inside of a clear box. Inside of the drawer ~4.5″Hx7.1″Wx13.25″ long. These stack but be aware that a drawer full of cards is heavier than most shoes.
  • $5 3 Dollar Tree C.O.S. Stackable Drawer (#386708 2501) (UPC 1 95464 48116 5): The dimensions on the label say 12.9″x8.8″x6″ but that must be for the total exterior dimensions. They don’t have clearance for index tabs and the plastic is flimsy, but index cards do fit. The drawers are removable and the bottom provides some support. Lifetime filing system? No. Something that can be used in the short term and re-purposed for clothing organization later? Sure. ~4.25″H x ~6.25″W x ~11″L, measured to the finger-pull recess in the drawer front.

Medium / Desktop

  • Steelmaster used to make a 2-drawer 4×6 that would nest together with tabs. I have 4 or so of these, I think they may have been sold under other brands. The owners of the Steelmaster brand appear to have discontinued them. They came in other sizes, but I have only ever seen the 4×6 size in the wild.
  • Vaultz Locking Index Card Cabinet: While quite different, these are the closest to replacing the Steelmaster dual-drawer. They come with two locking drawers with labels and pulls. Available in 3×5, 4×6, and 5×8.

Furniture / High Volume

The only manufacturer I could find to order from is FireKing. All the others no longer list full-size card files. Tennsco was the last big brand but they seem to have dropped the whole line of card files. I reached out to Tennsco and they confirmed the card files are discontinued.

  • FireKing 6 drawer: The 6 drawer is less expensive at the moment, a few hundred over $6k. Also, these weight a ton, ok, less than half a ton empty at ~823lbs. They are fire rated, hence the extra cost and weight. The drawers are ~6.25Hx19.75Wx26.9″L inside. They appear to require add-on dividers for cards coming in at <$300 (per drawer?). You could fit (3) 4×6 cards, (2) 5×8 or 6×9 across.

Alternates

  • IKEA BROR Work bench with drawers: A slightly unconventional choice. The drawers are 6.75″H (maybe) ~29.1″W (good for (4) 4×6, (3) 5×8 across, ~20.1″ long. Comes with 4 drawers, frame and a wood inset top. Not very dust resistant and obviously the cards will not be very portable. May be ok to hold trays, etc.
  • IKEA GALANT Drawer unit: I was able to measure one of these and the drawers are ~5″ clearance, certainly enough for 4×6 cards. The interior of the drawer cheeks are curved, so some dividers would be necessary to get the cards aligned. I don’t have an exact interior drawer width but it is probable 27-28″ W so would only allow (4) 4×6 across. It is also somewhat pricey. It is more refined than the BROR and has a lock.
  • I was hoping one of the toolboxes regularly stocked at a chain retailer would work. The best candidate was Harbor Freight’s U.S. GENERAL 34 in. x 23 in., 6-Drawer Full-Bank Service Cart, but it’s drawers aren’t tall enough at ~3 7/8″.Measurement reading approximately 3 7/8 in drawer depth

Many office furniture manufacturers make pedestal or under-desk filing cabinets with shallower top drawers and one traditional file drawer. Some of these have two even-size drawers that are appropriate for cards. Trying to get the interior dimensions of those small drawers from online retailers is difficult. I measured the prevalent Poppin model with 2 smaller top drawers and their divider/drawer side height is ~3.5″ but the total clearance to the frame is only 3.75″ in places.

Notes:

  1. https://boffosocko.com/tag/zettelkasten/ ↩
  2. My computer’s dictionary had to be taught this word ↩
  3. As of 4/26/2025 ↩