USPS Mail Class Guide
The USPS Postal Service® has many different mail classes ranging from regular First Class Mail® letter delivery to overnight expedited services such as Express Mail®. Here is a breakdown of each USPS service to help you choose the right mail class for your mailpiece.
| Mail Class | Speed | Stamps.com Starting Price |
Cheapest Tracking Option |
Restrictions |
| First Class Mail Letter |
1-3 days* | $0.45 | $2.80 Certified Mail™ | Shape and weight restrictions† |
| First Class Mail Flat |
1-3 days* | $0.90 | $2.80 Certified Mail | Shape and weight restrictions† |
| First Class Package Service |
1-3 days* | $1.64** | $0.19 Delivery Confirmation™** | Shape and weight restrictions† |
| Priority Mail® | 1-3 days* | $4.90** | Free Delivery Confirmation** | N/A |
| Express Mail® | 1-2 days* | $12.85** | Free Tracking | N/A |
| Parcel Post® | 2-9 days* | $5.20 | $0.19 Delivery Confirmation** | N/A |
| Media Mail® | 2-9 days* | $2.35 | $0.19 Delivery Confirmation** | Content restrictions apply |
*The USPS does not guarantee delivery times for any service except Express Mail.
** Prices listed are discounted rates available for online postage vendors such as Stamps.com.
†First Class Mail has many size and weight restrictions. Get more information on USPS First Class Mail Characteristics.
First Class Mail
Pros:
- Low-cost and fast – great value for
light-weight packages. - Pricing not affected by distance.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.
Cons:
- Maximum weight is only 13 oz.
- First Class Mail letters and flats are not eligible for Delivery Confirmation.
When to use First Class Mail: If your mail or package is less than 13 oz. and you do not need overnight delivery or Delivery Confirmation, use First Class Mail.
Priority Mail
Pros:
- 1-3 day delivery nationwide for packages.
- A variety of flat-rate options to simplify shipping.
- USPS provides free packaging.
- Free Delivery Confirmation.
- Moderate pricing.
- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.
Cons:
- More expensive than other lower cost USPS mail classes.
- Less expensive options, such as First Class Mail, may be equally as fast.
When to use Priority Mail: If you are shipping more than 13 oz., Priority Mail is a great shipping option for fast delivery at a low price - the USPS even offers free packaging!
Express Mail
Pros:
- Overnight delivery 365 days/year.
- USPS provides free packaging.
- The only USPS method with guaranteed delivery dates.
- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.
Cons:
- Most expensive USPS Mail Class.
When to use Express Mail: If you need your package to be delivered as fast as possible, regardless of price, use Express Mail. If delivery can wait a day or two, First Class Mail and Priority Mail are much cheaper options.
Media Mail
Pros:
- Cheapest shipping service for anything over 13 oz.
- Pricing is based on weight, not distance.
- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.
Cons:
- Much slower than most other mail classes.
- Content must be books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, or recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes).
When to use Media Mail: Perfect for media such as books or DVDs when lower shipping rates are more important than delivery speed.
Parcel Post
Pros:
- Inexpensive pricing based only on weight (not distance).
- Packages can weigh up to 70 lbs.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.
Cons:
- Much slower than most other mail classes.
When to use Parcel Post: Use Parcel Post when your content does not qualify for Media Mail and lower shipping rates are more important than speed.
How to send mail for each mail class
With Stamps.com, you can print postage for any USPS mail class without a trip to the Post Office. Customers also have access to discounted postage rates for Priority Mail and Express Mail, SCAN form printing, and the ability to import order data from ecommerce marketplaces such as eBay®, Amazon® and other popular shopping carts.