These two terms get used almost interchangeably by casual collectors, but they describe different things that happen to overlap often.
Full Art: a border-to-border treatment
A Full Art card extends its artwork across the entire card face rather than sitting inside the usual bordered window, often showing a broader scene rather than a tight battle pose. It's a description of the card's layout.
Alternate Art: a second version of the same card
Alternate Art describes a second, distinct piece of artwork for a Pokémon that already has a standard-format card elsewhere in the set — it's about there being two versions to choose between, not about the layout itself.
Where the overlap happens
Many of the biggest modern chase cards are both at once: a Full Art layout used as the Alternate Art option for a Pokémon that also has an ordinary bordered print in the same set, which is exactly why the terms get blurred together in casual conversation.
Frequently asked questions
What is a Full Art Pokémon card?
A card where the artwork extends across the entire card face.
What makes Alternate Art different from Full Art?
It's a second, different piece of art for a card that already exists in standard form.
Can a card be both Full Art and Alternate Art?
Yes, many chase cards are both at once.