Find Royal Mail postage prices by format, weight, and service class
Prices shown are Royal Mail standard rates as of 2025. Rates are subject to change. Check royalmail.com for the latest prices.
Sending post in the UK means navigating Royal Mail's pricing structure, which varies by format, weight, and service class. Whether you are posting a birthday card, returning an online purchase, or shipping a small business order, knowing the exact cost before you head to the Post Office saves time and avoids surprises at the counter. Royal Mail divides items into four main formats: letter, large letter, small parcel, and medium parcel. Each format has specific dimension and weight limits, and the price increases with both size and weight. Choosing the correct format matters because an item posted as a letter when it should be a large letter may be returned or surcharged. Equally, you might be paying more than necessary if you could fit your item into a smaller format. This calculator uses Royal Mail's 2025 standard pricing to give you an instant cost estimate. Simply select your format, enter the weight, and choose between 1st and 2nd class delivery. The result includes both the price and estimated delivery time, plus a chart comparing service classes so you can decide whether faster delivery is worth the extra cost.
To use the postage cost calculator: 1. Select the format that matches your item. If you are unsure which format applies, use our Parcel Size Calculator to determine the correct category from your item's dimensions. 2. Enter the weight of your item in grams. If you do not have scales, many Post Offices have weighing facilities. As a rough guide, a standard A4 sheet weighs about 5g, and a typical paperback book weighs 200-300g. 3. Choose your service class. 1st class aims for next working day delivery and costs more. 2nd class aims for delivery within 2-3 working days and is the more economical option. 4. View your result. The calculator shows the postage cost, your selected format, the estimated delivery time, and a comparison chart of 1st vs 2nd class pricing for your weight band. 5. If the calculator shows an error about weight exceeding the maximum, you need to select a larger format or consider using Parcelforce or a courier service.
Royal Mail pricing uses a lookup table based on three factors: Format: Letter, Large Letter, Small Parcel, or Medium Parcel. Each has maximum dimension and weight limits. Weight bands: Within each format, prices increase in steps as weight goes up. For example, a large letter has four weight bands: up to 100g, up to 250g, up to 500g, and up to 750g. Service class: 1st class costs more than 2nd class but offers faster delivery. The price difference varies by format and weight band. The calculator matches your format and weight to the correct band, then looks up the price for your chosen service class. For example, a large letter weighing 200g falls into the "up to 250g" band, which costs GBP 2.50 for 1st class or GBP 1.95 for 2nd class. Prices are based on Royal Mail's published 2025 standard rates. Special services such as Signed For, Special Delivery, or international post are not included in this calculator. Business account holders and those sending large volumes may qualify for discounted rates through Royal Mail's business services.
Royal Mail is the UK's universal postal service provider, delivering to approximately 32 million addresses six days a week. Standard letter post remains one of the most affordable ways to send documents and lightweight items across the country. For items that do not fit Royal Mail's standard formats, alternatives include Parcelforce (Royal Mail's parcel division), Hermes, DPD, UPS, and FedEx. Comparison sites like ParcelHero and Parcel2Go let you compare courier prices. If you are sending items regularly for a small business, Royal Mail's Click and Drop service offers online postage purchasing at slightly discounted rates. You can also buy stamps online, at Post Offices, or from many convenience stores.