royal mail postage rates

UK Letter, Large Letter and Parcel prices, plus size and weight limits. Last updated: 5 March 2026

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Quick summary

Tip: The biggest avoidable cost for many businesses is sending items at the wrong size category. Use the size and thickness guide below before you print postage.

Franking Prices on this page should be treated as a guide. Always verify the final rate and service rules directly with Royal Mail for your specific format and destination.

Letter and Large Letter postage rates (UK)

Use these tables as your quick reference for common UK formats. Replace the placeholders with your verified 2026 rates.

Letter rates

Service Up to 100g
First Class £1.67
Second Class £0.84
Signed For (optional) Add £1.90

Replace weight bands to match the exact Royal Mail service bands you are publishing.

Large Letter rates

Service Up to 100g 101g to 250g 251g to 500g 501g to 750g
First Class £2.65 £3.25 £3.30 £3.30
Second Class £1.41 £1.71 £2.20 £2.50
Signed For (optional) Add £1.90

Parcel postage rates (UK)

These placeholders cover common parcel services. Swap to the exact services you want to target (for example Tracked, Signed, Special Delivery).

Small Parcel

Service Up to 1kg Up to 2kg
Second Class £3.90 £3.90
First Class £4.99 £4.99
Tracked / Signed options From £1.50

Medium Parcel

Service Up to 1kg Up to 2kg Up to 5kg Up to 10kg Up to 20kg
Second Class £6.29 £6.29 £7.89 £7.89 £11.89
First Class £7.19 £7.19 £8.99 £8.99 £13.69

Royal Mail size and weight limits

This section helps you avoid miscategorising items, which is one of the most common and expensive postage mistakes.

Format Max length Max width Max thickness Max weight
Letter 240 mm 165 mm 5 mm 100 g
Large Letter 353 mm 250 mm 25 mm 750 g

Business postage savings tips

Where businesses usually overspend

  • Wrong size category: Letters sent as Large Letters, or parcels that could be Large Letters.
  • Wrong service level: Paying for speed or signature when it is not required.
  • Manual postage handling: Time lost and errors from stamps and repeated trips to the Post Office.

Quick wins

  • Use a letter scale and simple size guide at packing stations.
  • Standardise envelope and packaging formats where possible.
  • For regular sending, consider a franking machine so you can print correct postage quickly and track spending.

Franking machines for businesses

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FAQ

How often do Royal Mail postage rates change?

Royal Mail updates pricing periodically. If you send mail regularly, it is worth checking rates and service rules whenever pricing changes are announced.

What is the quickest way to avoid paying the wrong postage?

Check size, thickness and weight before printing postage. Keep a simple sizing guide and scales at your packing area.

Do franking machines work for parcels as well as letters?

They can support a range of mail services. The best setup depends on your parcel mix, your dispatch workflow, and which services you use most.

What should I look for when choosing a franking machine?

Start with daily volume, then consider ease of use, reporting, support, and how quickly you can get help if something goes wrong.

Any questions? Talk to us!

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