Text box

The text box is the box that takes up most of the lower part of a Magic card. Rules text and flavor text are both printed in this box. Generally, Magic card text runs between 7.5 and 9 points in font size, and it is the editing department's job to make sure that the text is large enough to be readable, that there aren't unsightly blank spaces, and so on. There are also certain rules about separating abilities and flavor text with blank lines, which prevents awkward text layouts.

Split cards have two text boxes, one for each half of the card and in proportion to each half-card. One text box is chosen to be active when a split card is played.

Flip cards also have two smaller text boxes, one for each flip state of the card. The active text box is found at the bottom of the card and defines how the card can be flipped, activating the second text box and deactivating the first.