201 Quick Service Guide

Physical Standards for Commercial Letters and Postcards

Overview

 

Card Dimensions

Card dimensions. Image shows minimum and maximum size for postcards.

 

Minimum

Maximum

Length

5 inches

6 inches

Height

3-1/2 inches

4-1/4 inches

Thickness

0.007 inch

0.016 inch

 

Letter Dimensions

Letter dimensions. Image shows minimum and maximum size for letters.

 

Minimum

Maximum

Length

5 inches

11-1/2 inches

Height

3-1/2 inches

6-1/8 inches

Thickness

0.007 inch

1/4 inch

Mailpieces are classified by shape and by the way they are prepared. These classifications are based on how efficiently mailpieces can be processed on Postal Service equipment. The Postal Service classifies letters and cards into one of three categories: machinable, nonmachinable, and automation. For the purposes of determining mailability or machinabilty, the length is the dimension parallel to the address as read (601.1.1.2).

Machinable Letters and Cards (201.1.0)

If you prepare your letters and cards so that they have an accurate address and can be processed on Postal Service equipment, your mail is “machinable” and eligible for “presort” prices. Machinable mailpieces must meet specific standards, including size, shape, and weight.

Maximum weight: First-Class Mail, machinable letters and USPS Marketing Mail machinable letters: 3.5 ounces, Periodicals letters: 3.5 ounces.

Machinable letters must not meet any of the nonmachinable characteristics (201.2.0).

Dimensions:

Nonmachinable Letters (201.2.0)

Maximum weight: First-Class Mail and Periodicals nonmachinable letters 3.5 ounces; USPS Marketing Mail nonmachinable letters; less than 16 ounces.

Examples of a nonmachinable letter include:

Automation Letters and Cards (201.3.0)

If your letter-size mailpiece is machinable and displays the correct delivery point barcode or Intelligent Mail barcode, you may qualify for lower, “automation” prices. A letter or card meets automation standards and qualifies for automation prices if it meets the specific addressing, barcoding, and design standards.

For additional information, see:

Maximum weight:

Shape: rectangular. Aspect ratio (length divided by height): 1.3 to 2.5 (201.3.7).

Dimensions:

Length is the dimension parallel to the address as read (601.1.1.2).

All letter-size reply cards and envelopes (Business Reply Mail, Courtesy Reply Mail, and meter reply mail) provided as enclosures must meet the physical standards for automation letters and cards in 201.3.17.

Quick Service Guides

First-Class Mail

See Quick Service Guides:

230a Nonmachinable Letters

230b Machinable Letters and Cards

230c Automation Letters and Cards

USPS Marketing Mail

See Quick Service Guides:

240a Nonmachinable Letters

240b Machinable Letters

240c Automation Letters

240d Carrier Route Letters

Periodicals

See Quick Service Guides:

207c Nonbarcoded Letters

207e Barcoded (Automation) Letters