---
title: "USPS Mail Class Guide"
url: "https://www.stamps.com/usps/mail-class-guide/"
type: "page"
modified: "2025-11-14T16:51:58+00:00"
---
The US Postal Service® has many different mail classes ranging from regular First Class Mail® letter delivery to overnight expedited services such as Priority Mail Express®. Here is a breakdown of each USPS service to help you choose the right mail class for your mailpiece.

   Mail Class

 Speed

 Stamps.com <br/>Starting Price

 Cheapest<br/> Tracking Option

 Restrictions

        First Class Mail Letter

    1–3 days*

    $0.69**

    $4.85 Certified Mail™

    Shape and weight restrictions†

    First Class Mail Flat

    1–3 days*

    $1.50

    $4.85 Certified Mail

    Shape and weight restrictions†

    Priority Mail®

    1–3 days*

    From $9.25**

    Free USPS Tracking**

    N/A

    Priority Mail Express®

    1–2 days*

    $30.65**

    Free USPS Tracking**

    N/A

    Media Mail®

    2–9 days*

    $4.63 and up

    Free USPS Tracking**

    Content restrictions apply

    \* The USPS does not guarantee delivery times for any service except Priority Mail Express.
\*\* 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 letter mailings.
- Pricing not affected by distance.
- No fuel or home delivery surcharges.

**Cons:**

- Maximum weight is only 3.5 oz.
- First Class Mail letters are not eligible for USPS Tracking.

**When to use First-Class Mail®:** If your mail is less than 3.5 oz. and you do not need overnight delivery, use First-Class Mail®.

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### Priority Mail®

**Pros:**

- 1–3 day delivery nationwide for packages.
- A variety of flat-rate options to simplify shipping.
- USPS provides free packaging.
- Free USPS Tracking.
- 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!

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### Priority Mail Express®

**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 Priority Mail Express®:** If you need your package to be delivered as fast as possible, regardless of price, use Priority Mail Express®. If delivery can wait a day or two, First-Class Mail® and Priority Mail® are much cheaper options.

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### 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.

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### Standard 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 Standard Post:** Use Standard Post when your content does not qualify for Media Mail and lower shipping rates are more important than speed.

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### 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 Priority Mail Express®, SCAN form printing, and the ability to import order data from ecommerce marketplaces such as eBay, Amazon, and other popular shopping carts.