This is a free tarot card meanings PDF you can print and keep next to your deck. It covers all 78 cards of the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (the classic deck from 1909 that most modern decks follow), each with its picture and short upright and reversed meanings you can check in seconds.
Every card's keywords and one-line meaning are also on this page, in tables you can read on your phone, followed by quick-reference charts and tips for reading reversals, memorizing and printing.
Free download, no email needed:
Download the tarot card meanings cheat sheet (PDF)
What you get:
- 7 pages, all 78 cards, each shown with its picture.
- For every card: a one-line meaning, 4 upright keywords, 4 reversed keywords, a love line, a career line and a yes/no lean.
- A quick reference page for suits, numbers, court cards and a three-card spread.
- Real text, not a scanned image, so it is searchable and works with screen readers. Free to print and share unchanged.
What's in the tarot cheat sheet PDF
Pages 1 and 2: the Major Arcana. The Major Arcana are the 22 named cards from 0 (The Fool) to 21 (The World), which stand for big themes and turning points.
Pages 3 to 6: one page per suit. The Minor Arcana are the other 56 cards, in four suits of 14 (Wands, Cups, Swords and Pentacles) that deal with everyday matters. Each suit gets a full page, Ace to King.
Page 7: quick reference. Suits, number themes, court ranks and a three-card past, present and future spread, plus short notes on how to read a reversed card and how to use the sheet.
A tarot cards meaning list with pictures squeezed onto two pages has type too small to read across a table, and a full guidebook is too long to print. One page per suit stays readable at arm's length and fits on four sheets double-sided.
The yes/no lean on each card is a quick hint for one-card questions. For the full breakdown, see the yes or no tarot list.
Major Arcana card meanings
The 22 Major Arcana cards follow a path from The Fool, a fresh start, to The World, a cycle completed. Several of them in one reading suggest the question touches something larger than daily routine. Upright means the card came out the right way up, reversed means upside down.
| Card | Upright | Reversed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Fool | new beginnings, leap of faith, spontaneity, innocence | recklessness, poor timing, avoiding commitment, fear of risk | A fresh start that asks for trust and a willing first step before the path is fully clear. |
| The Magician | manifestation, willpower, skill, resourcefulness | manipulation, wasted talent, poor discipline, unclear goals | Ideas become real results through focus, skill and the tools already in hand. |
| The High Priestess | intuition, inner wisdom, hidden knowledge, reflection | ignored intuition, overthinking, secrets, inner disconnection | A quiet time to look inward and trust the answers that intuition is already giving. |
| The Empress | abundance, nurturing, fertility, growth | neglect, dependency, creative block, smothering | Plans ripen into real results, bringing comfort, warmth and steady growth at home and beyond. |
| The Emperor | structure, authority, discipline, stability | rigidity, lack of discipline, abuse of power, weak commitment | Success comes through order, self-discipline and practical effort, often with a firm authority figure involved. |
| The Hierophant | tradition, institutions, formal education, mentorship | rebellion, unconventional path, questioning rules, personal beliefs | Established traditions, teachers and institutions offer a proven path, as long as personal judgment stays intact. |
| The Lovers | love, harmony, partnership, important choice | disharmony, misaligned values, unrealistic hopes, avoided choice | A meaningful choice about love or values that calls for honesty and real commitment. |
| The Chariot | determination, willpower, control, victory | lack of direction, loss of control, emotional outbursts, old habits | Victory comes from focus and self-control, steering opposing forces toward one clear goal. |
| Strength | courage, inner strength, compassion, patience | self-doubt, low confidence, hopelessness, suppressed feelings | Quiet courage and compassion tame fear and strong emotion better than force ever could. |
| The Hermit | introspection, solitude, inner guidance, soul-searching | loneliness, avoiding reflection, constant busyness, isolation | Stepping back from noise to reflect, seek wise counsel and find direction from within. |
| Wheel of Fortune | change, cycles, turning point, good luck | bad luck, resistance to change, repeating patterns, setbacks | Circumstances are shifting, and going with the turn brings opportunity, even if it starts as a surprise. |
| Justice | fairness, truth, cause and effect, accountability | injustice, blame, dishonesty, legal delays | Present results reflect past choices, and fair, honest action now decides what comes next. |
| The Hanged Man | surrender, pause, new perspective, letting go | stalling, needless struggle, people-pleasing, indecision | A deliberate pause where letting go of control reveals a new way of seeing things. |
| Death | endings, transformation, transition, release | resistance to change, stagnation, fear of endings, draining routines | One chapter is closing for good, clearing space for something new once the change is accepted. |
| Temperance | balance, moderation, patience, purpose | excess, impulsiveness, swinging extremes, lack of purpose | Calm balance and moderation blend feelings and action into steady, purposeful progress. |
| The Devil | feeling trapped, attachment, materialism, control | breaking free, liberation, reclaiming power, facing limits | Feeling trapped by habits, money or control, when the chains are actually loose enough to remove. |
| The Tower | sudden change, upheaval, collapse, revelation | averted disaster, fear of change, delayed upheaval, clinging to control | A sudden shake-up tears down what was built on false ground so something truer can follow. |
| The Star | hope, healing, renewal, inspiration | despair, loss of faith, emptiness, uninspired | Calm hope and healing after hard times, with renewed faith that things can improve. |
| The Moon | illusion, fear, uncertainty, vivid dreams | nightmares, surfacing fears, self-made chaos, slow clarity | Things are not what they seem, and fears or illusions cloud judgment until instincts are trusted. |
| The Sun | joy, success, optimism, vitality | lingering doubt, fear of scarcity, delayed success, competitiveness | Clear, happy days of success, warmth and confident self-expression, with little left to fear. |
| Judgement | inner calling, renewal, clarity, reckoning | self-doubt, ignored calling, harsh self-judgment, inner emptiness | A moment of clarity to review the past honestly and answer a deeper calling. |
| The World | completion, fulfillment, achievement, wholeness | unfinished business, lack of closure, old burdens, empty success | A cycle reaches its happy completion, bringing lasting success and a sense of belonging. |
Minor Arcana card meanings by suit
Each suit has ten numbered cards, Ace to 10, and four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen and King), which often stand for people or roles.
Wands
Wands belong to the element of fire. They cover drive, ambition, creativity and action. Many Wands in a reading usually point to momentum, or the lack of it.
| Card | Upright | Reversed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace of Wands | inspiration, new venture, creative spark, enthusiasm | delays, scattered energy, false starts, blocked plans | A burst of energy and desire to turn an idea into action right now. |
| Two of Wands | planning, decisions, future vision, wider horizons | playing it safe, fear of change, overanalysis, quiet dissatisfaction | Standing at a crossroads, weighing the safe and familiar against a bigger plan for the future. |
| Three of Wands | expansion, progress, foresight, travel | obstacles, frustration, lack of foresight, rethinking plans | Early plans are paying off, and wider opportunities appear for anyone patient enough to wait. |
| Four of Wands | celebration, homecoming, stability, harmony | instability, rootlessness, temporary setup, feeling unwelcome | A secure, joyful foundation is in place, worth celebrating with the people who helped build it. |
| Five of Wands | conflict, competition, disagreement, tension | compromise, truce, better listening, new strategy | Competing agendas and clashing egos block progress until people learn to work together. |
| Six of Wands | victory, recognition, confidence, success | false confidence, defeatism, giving up early, short-lived success | Public recognition and success that come from real confidence built on past achievements. |
| Seven of Wands | perseverance, defense, standing firm, challenge | giving up, overwhelmed, outdated methods, low morale | Holding ground against pressure and opposition, with success going to whoever refuses to quit. |
| Eight of Wands | swift action, momentum, rapid progress, travel | delays, postponed plans, jealousy, wasted momentum | Things move fast with few obstacles, so plans and messages arrive quickly. |
| Nine of Wands | resilience, guardedness, persistence, boundaries | exhaustion, paranoia, rigid defenses, ready to quit | Worn but still standing, it is time to review old battles and decide which ones remain worth fighting. |
| Ten of Wands | burden, responsibility, hard work, overcommitment | burnout, workaholism, refusing help, breaking point | A heavy load of self-imposed duties that can still succeed once some tasks are handed off. |
| Page of Wands | enthusiasm, exciting news, exploration, fresh ideas | hesitation, overplanning, disappointing news, stalled ideas | Fresh enthusiasm for a new project, direction or trip, often sparked by exciting news. |
| Knight of Wands | bold action, adventure, passion, energy | recklessness, impatience, unfinished tasks, frustration | Fast, fearless action and a hunger for change, travel and new challenges. |
| Queen of Wands | confidence, charisma, independence, determination | jealousy, insecurity, demanding behavior, picking fights | Confident, warm and independent energy that draws success through self-belief and persuasion. |
| King of Wands | leadership, vision, self-mastery, boldness | impulsiveness, low energy, immaturity, dodging commitment | A seasoned leader who turns vision into results through experience, patience and self-control. |
Cups
Cups belong to the element of water. They cover feelings, relationships and intuition, from love and friendship to grief.
| Card | Upright | Reversed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace of Cups | new love, open heart, joy, intimacy | emotional emptiness, repressed feelings, closed heart, unmet needs | An open heart and a new wave of love, joy and emotional fulfillment. |
| Two of Cups | partnership, mutual attraction, trust, equality | power struggles, imbalance, volatility, broken trust | Two people meet as equals, sharing trust, attraction and a connection greater than either alone. |
| Three of Cups | celebration, friendship, reunion, shared success | isolation, third-party interference, overindulgence, falling out | Good company, shared success and a reason to celebrate, as effort turns into reward. |
| Four of Cups | apathy, discontent, contemplation, missed opportunities | renewed interest, seizing chances, moving on, fresh motivation | Dissatisfaction and withdrawal make it easy to overlook a good offer sitting in plain view. |
| Five of Cups | grief, loss, regret, disappointment | acceptance, moving on, forgiveness, finding support | Focus stays on what was lost, while what remains and the way forward go unnoticed. |
| Six of Cups | nostalgia, childhood memories, comfort, safety | old attachments, growing up, leaving home, outgrowing comfort | Comfort and safety drawn from the past, familiar places and simple, sincere kindness. |
| Seven of Cups | many choices, wishful thinking, fantasy, true desires | clear choice, reality check, decisive action, chasing money | Many tempting options appear, and real fulfillment depends on knowing which desires truly matter. |
| Eight of Cups | walking away, search for meaning, disillusionment, leaving comfort | fear of leaving, staying too long, aimless drifting, running away | Leaving behind a stable but empty situation to search for something more meaningful. |
| Nine of Cups | wishes fulfilled, contentment, satisfaction, self-worth | overindulgence, emotional stinginess, disappointment, compulsive habits | Contentment and quiet pride in what has been achieved, with emotional needs well met. |
| Ten of Cups | happy family, harmony, lasting love, belonging | family conflict, fractured team, ingratitude, withdrawal | Lasting happiness shared with family or a close group, where everyone gives and receives freely. |
| Page of Cups | creative opportunity, good news, sensitivity, reconciliation | immaturity, delayed messages, daydreaming, uncertain offers | A gentle, heartfelt opening such as a new feeling, creative idea or a kind message. |
| Knight of Cups | romance, charm, idealism, heartfelt offers | moodiness, broken promises, escapism, infatuation | A romantic, idealistic offer arrives, asking for a choice between waiting and following the heart. |
| Queen of Cups | compassion, emotional maturity, intuition, empathy | emotional instability, codependency, coldness, self-pity | Deep empathy and emotional maturity, turning intuition and imagination into real care for others. |
| King of Cups | emotional balance, diplomacy, quiet strength, wisdom | emotional manipulation, holding grudges, distrust, secrecy | Calm, mature emotional control that combines intuition with patience and practical effort. |
Swords
Swords belong to the element of air. They cover thoughts, truth, conflict and decisions. Several Swords cards look harsh, but they often describe a state of mind (worry, doubt, a hard choice) more than an outside event.
| Card | Upright | Reversed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace of Swords | mental clarity, breakthrough, new ideas, decisive thinking | confusion, impractical ideas, poor planning, hasty decisions | A clear idea or breakthrough cuts through confusion and points to a well-planned next step. |
| Two of Swords | stalemate, indecision, avoidance, guarded heart | information overload, rising anxiety, emotional flooding, paralysis | A difficult decision is put off, with feelings blocked to avoid seeing an uncomfortable truth. |
| Three of Swords | heartbreak, sorrow, grief, emotional pain | suppressed pain, lingering hurt, slow recovery, releasing grief | Painful loss or disappointment that heals best when it is felt and admitted, not buried. |
| Four of Swords | rest, recovery, retreat, recharging | restlessness, rushed return, burnout, reawakening | A needed pause to rest, heal and think things through before returning to action. |
| Five of Swords | hollow victory, conflict, defeat, hostility | lingering resentment, regret, open dialogue, making amends | A fight won at the cost of trust and respect, leaving everyone involved worse off. |
| Six of Swords | transition, calmer waters, slow progress, departure | feeling stuck, unresolved baggage, rocking the boat, rough transition | Leaving a rough period behind and moving slowly but steadily toward calmer times. |
| Seven of Swords | deception, strategy, cunning, secret plans | self-deception, exposed lies, outdated tactics, coming clean | Something is not fully honest, and success calls for sharp strategy and careful checking of facts. |
| Eight of Swords | feeling trapped, limiting beliefs, powerlessness, restriction | liberation, regained control, seeing clearly, new choices | Feeling stuck and powerless, though the limits are mostly in the mind and can be removed. |
| Nine of Swords | anxiety, worry, nightmares, overthinking | facing fears, easing anxiety, hidden worries, inner turmoil | Worry and fear take over at night, often making the situation seem worse than it is. |
| Ten of Swords | rock bottom, painful ending, finality, betrayal | brief reprieve, recovery beginning, last chance, repeating patterns | A situation hits its lowest point and ends completely, with the first light of renewal visible ahead. |
| Page of Swords | curiosity, communication, eager mind, news | gossip, all talk, delayed news, scattered thoughts | A curious, talkative mind full of ideas that still need grounding in real action. |
| Knight of Swords | decisive action, ambition, fast thinking, haste | poor planning, carelessness, distraction, repeated mistakes | Fast, determined action driven by sharp thinking, though haste can skip important details. |
| Queen of Swords | clear judgment, honesty, objectivity, sharp perception | bitterness, coldness, harsh criticism, manipulation | Clear, honest thinking and hard-won experience lead to fair and well-judged decisions. |
| King of Swords | logic, authority, strategy, integrity | abuse of power, cold detachment, poor self-control, cruelty | Logical, fair authority that turns clear ideas into structured plans and real results. |
Pentacles
Pentacles belong to the element of earth. They cover money, work, health and home: the practical, physical side of life. Change in this suit tends to be slow and steady.
| Card | Upright | Reversed | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ace of Pentacles | financial opportunity, prosperity, new job, solid start | lost opportunity, lack of funds, money slipping away, poor timing | A real opportunity to invest time, money or effort in something with long-term potential. |
| Two of Pentacles | balance, juggling, adaptability, time management | overcommitted, spread thin, poor money management, forced choice | Juggling time, money and energy with flexibility, adapting as priorities rise and fall. |
| Three of Pentacles | teamwork, collaboration, craftsmanship, learning | poor teamwork, quitting too soon, lack of effort, mediocrity | Skills, study and good teamwork combine to build something solid and lasting. |
| Four of Pentacles | saving money, security, frugality, possessiveness | greed, overspending, financial instability, loosening grip | Holding on tightly to money and security, which brings stability but can block growth and connection. |
| Five of Pentacles | financial hardship, poverty, loneliness, feeling left out | recovery beginning, accepting help, improving finances, open mind | Money trouble or loneliness narrows focus so much that nearby help and options get missed. |
| Six of Pentacles | generosity, giving and receiving, charity, fair exchange | debt, strings attached, power imbalance, overspending | Resources flow between people, with giving and receiving that feels fair, though roles stay clearly defined. |
| Seven of Pentacles | patience, long-term view, assessment, investment | impatience, wasted effort, stalled growth, mindless busyness | A pause to review what past effort has produced and plan wisely for long-term rewards. |
| Eight of Pentacles | diligence, skill building, mastery, dedication | lack of ambition, sloppy work, shortcuts, boredom | Steady, focused work on a craft, building real mastery through practice and commitment. |
| Nine of Pentacles | independence, self-reliance, abundance, refinement | lack of discipline, living beyond means, misplaced effort, dependence | Comfort and independence earned through long discipline, with time to enjoy the rewards. |
| Ten of Pentacles | wealth, legacy, family security, long-term success | family disputes, financial instability, risky gambles, shaky foundation | Lasting wealth and security built over time, with a solid base for family and future generations. |
| Page of Pentacles | study, practical planning, opportunity, steady effort | procrastination, lack of focus, unfinished plans, restlessness | A serious, steady start on a practical goal, often through study or a new job. |
| Knight of Pentacles | hard work, routine, reliability, steady progress | stagnation, laziness, tunnel vision, obsession | Slow, methodical and reliable effort that keeps moving toward a clear, practical goal. |
| Queen of Pentacles | nurturing, practicality, resourcefulness, down to earth | neglect, money worries, insecurity, materialism | Warm, practical care that creates a secure home, healthy routines and steady financial comfort. |
| King of Pentacles | wealth, business sense, steady success, provider | greed, reckless risks, corruption, status obsession | Steady effort and sound judgment produce wealth, comfort and the means to support others. |
Quick reference: suits, numbers and court cards
You don't have to learn the 56 Minor Arcana cards one by one. The suit tells you the area of life, the number tells you the stage, and together they give you the core meaning of any minor card.
Suits
| Suit | Element | Area of life |
|---|---|---|
| Wands | Fire | Drive, ambition, creativity, action |
| Cups | Water | Feelings, relationships, intuition |
| Swords | Air | Thoughts, truth, conflict, decisions |
| Pentacles | Earth | Money, work, health, home |
Numbers
| Number | Theme |
|---|---|
| Ace | A beginning, raw potential |
| 2 | Balance, choice, partnership |
| 3 | Growth, teamwork, first results |
| 4 | Stability, rest, structure |
| 5 | Conflict, loss, change |
| 6 | Harmony, help, recovery |
| 7 | Reflection, testing, strategy |
| 8 | Movement, effort, mastery |
| 9 | Near completion, self-reliance |
| 10 | An ending, the full result |
Court cards
| Rank | Theme |
|---|---|
| Page | A beginner, a message, curiosity |
| Knight | Movement, pursuit |
| Queen | Mastery turned inward, care |
| King | Mastery turned outward, authority |
For example, the Five of Cups is 5 (loss) in Cups (feelings): regret or grief. The Three of Pentacles is 3 (teamwork) in Pentacles (work): good work done with others. Court cards work the same way. The Queen of Swords is mastery turned inward in the suit of thoughts: clear, honest judgment.
How to read reversed tarot cards
A reversed card is one that comes out of the deck upside down. It rarely means the plain opposite of the upright card. More often it shows the same energy in a different state:
- Turned inward. Strength upright is courage and patience. Reversed, it often points to self-doubt.
- Blocked or delayed. The Eight of Wands upright is fast progress. Reversed, things stall or arrive late.
- Overdone. The Emperor upright is structure and leadership. Reversed, it can mean control taken too far.
Read the upright meaning first, then ask which of these fits your situation.
Reversals are optional. Many readers keep every card upright and read a card's difficult side from the cards around it. Decide before you shuffle, and keep the same approach for the whole reading.
How to use the cheat sheet in a reading
Tarot works best as a tool for reflection, not as a forecast. The cards prompt you to look at your question from a new angle.
- Ask one clear question. Open questions ("What should I keep in mind about this job offer?") give you more to work with than yes/no ones.
- Shuffle and draw. If you're new, start with the three-card spread on page 7. A spread is a layout where each position has a set meaning, here past, present and future.
- Look at the picture first. Note the figures, colors and mood before you check the sheet.
- Then find the card on the sheet. Read the one-line meaning and pick the keyword that fits your question best. Use the love or career line when the question is about one of those.
- Read the cards together. Count the Major Arcana cards, notice if one suit dominates, and look for repeated numbers.
- Write it down, with the date, question and cards, to look back on later.
How to memorize tarot cards faster
A tarot cheat sheet for beginners should get used less over time.
- Learn the structure first. Page 7 is the shortcut: four suits, ten numbers and four court ranks cover all 56 minor cards.
- Draw one card a day. Read its line in the morning and notice where the theme shows up during the day.
- Guess before you check. Look at the picture, say what you think the card means, then compare with the sheet.
- Study cards in groups. Lay all four Fives, or all four Queens, side by side to learn numbers and ranks across suits.
- Quiz yourself. Cover the meanings with a strip of paper, name the keywords, then check.
How to print the tarot cheat sheet
- On US Letter paper, print at actual size. The PDF is laid out for US Letter. In the print dialog, choose "Actual size" or "100%".
- On A4 paper, choose "Fit to page". The page prints slightly smaller and nothing is clipped.
- Double-sided saves paper. The 7 pages fit on 4 sheets. Choose "flip on long edge" so the back of each page is the right way up.
- Color or grayscale. Color shows the pictures best. Grayscale saves ink and the text stays readable.
- On a phone or tablet. You don't need to print at all. Open the PDF and search for a card name.
FAQ
What are the 78 tarot cards and their meanings?
A tarot deck has 22 Major Arcana cards for big themes, from The Fool to The World, and 56 Minor Arcana cards for everyday matters, split into Wands (action), Cups (feelings), Swords (thoughts) and Pentacles (money and work). The tables above list every card's upright and reversed meaning.
Is there a free PDF with tarot card meanings?
Yes. The PDF on this page is free, needs no email signup, with all 78 cards, their pictures, and upright and reversed meanings.
How do you memorize tarot cards fast?
Learn the structure before the single cards: suit for the area of life, number for the stage, court rank for the role. Then draw one card a day and guess its meaning before you check.
What are the most powerful cards in tarot?
There is no official ranking, though the Major Arcana carry more weight than the Minor. Readers often point to The Tower (sudden change), Death (an ending that makes room for something new), The Sun (success and joy), The World (completion) and The Magician (skill and willpower). Death almost never means a literal death.
When should you not read tarot cards?
Skip a reading when you're very upset or set on one particular answer, since you'll read the cards to fit it. Don't repeat a question hoping for a better draw, or read about someone's private life without their consent. Tarot is no substitute for medical, legal or financial advice, so take those questions to a professional.
What are the dos and don'ts of tarot?
Do ask open questions, read the cards as a group, and decide on reversals before you shuffle. Don't redraw until you get the answer you want, treat a card as fixed fate, or let a reading make a big decision for you.
Do I need to read reversed cards?
No. Reversals are optional and many experienced readers never use them. Reading every card upright is a good way to learn the core meanings first. You can add reversals later.
Draw your cards on Tarotap
When you want to see how the cards connect to your own question, draw cards on Tarotap and get a full reading. To choose a layout first, browse the tarot spreads, from a single card to the ten-card Celtic Cross.
