The weight of your mailpiece is an important factor in determining the postage price you pay. In general, the heavier the mailpiece, the more it costs to mail.

For Express Mail, the weight and distance of the piece determines the price, except for items mailed in Express Mail flat-rate envelopes. Postage paid through Click-N-Ship, authorized PC Postage vendors, and Express Mail Corporate Accounts, or Federal Agency Accounts receive a discount off retail prices.

For First-Class Mail, shape and weight will determine the price.

For Priority Mail that weighs more than 1 pound, the price is a combination of weight, size, and how far the mailpiece is traveling. Priority Mail pieces weighing less than 20 pounds and measuring more than 84 inches, but 108 inches or less, in combined length and girth would be charged the 20-pound weight. This is commonly referred to as a “balloon price.” The balloon price applies to pieces addressed for local delivery and to zones 1-4. Priority Mail pieces that exceed one cubic foot, and are addressed to zones 5-8, are subject to "dimensional weighting". In general, if a piece is large and relatively light for its size, it is subject to dimensional weight pricing. Flat-rate Priority Mail envelopes and boxes provided by USPS are charged the same flat-rate regardless of weight(up to 70 lbs.) and destination. Commercial prices are available for postage paid through Click-N-Ship, and authorized PC Postage vendors.

For Standard Mail, weight does not affect price until the mailpiece reaches 3.3 ounces. For up to 3.3 ounces, you pay the same postage whether your piece is 1 ounce or 3 ounces. Over 3.3 ounces, you pay a piece prices plus a pound prices. For pieces over 3.3 ounces, the heavier your piece, the higher your postage.

For Parcel Select and Bound Printed Matter, weight and distance determine the price.

For Library Mail and Media Mail, the rate is determined only by weight, regardless of how far the mailpiece travels.

How size and shape affect prices

How distance affects prices

How quantity affects prices

Destination entry discounts

Calculate postage for any class of mail or price discount

List of all prices and fees

• Price List - Notice 123
• Discount/Bulk Calculator – Compute prices for all commercial mail

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