
The United States Postal Service (USPS) offers a wide range of envelope sizes to suit various needs. The most common envelope size is the #10 envelope, which measures 3.875 x 6.5 inches.
The USPS also offers a variety of other envelope sizes, including the A2 envelope, which is slightly larger than the #10 envelope, measuring 4.375 x 5.75 inches. This size is ideal for sending larger documents.
The USPS envelope sizes are designed to accommodate different types of mail, including letters, bills, and postcards. The #10 envelope is the standard size for sending letters and bills.
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USPS Envelope Sizes
USPS has standard letter dimensions you must follow to avoid paying surcharges. These dimensions are used by automated mail sorting equipment, which saves time and money for both you and the postal service.
The standard envelope type is the #10 envelope, but you can customize your mailers based on your content and needs. The minimum and maximum dimensions for standard envelopes are:
USPS only considers rectangular envelopes as standard, so you may need to pay additional postage for sending square-shaped and other envelopes.
You can save on postage by folding your letters to fit them in standard envelope sizes, or by using folded self-mailers instead of oversized cards.
To determine if your envelope is a standard letter or a flat, check the dimensions. If your envelope is greater than 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, or ¼ inch thick, it's considered a flat. If it's less than these dimensions, it's a standard letter.
Here are the common envelope sizes, each labeled as either a first-class letter or a flat:
- 6x9 card or #10 envelope: standard letter
- Greater than 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, or ¼ inch thick: flat
- Up to 12 inches high, 15 inches long, and ¾ inch thick: flat
USPS Priority Mail envelopes can hold up to 70 lbs, and the size of the envelope also matters for shipping costs. Make sure to measure your package well to pick the right envelope and avoid shipping problems.
The standard Flat Rate Envelope measures 12.5 inches by 9.5 inches, while the Legal Flat Rate Envelope measures 15 inches by 9.5 inches. These dimensions can help you determine if your item fits snugly within these envelopes without causing damage during transit.
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The 9 Regular Envelope is a common commercial-sized envelope, often used for reply envelopes in business communication. It's ideal for businesses to use 9 Regular Envelope sizes as it's relatively big and helps streamline your business communication.
The 10 Regular Envelope is a classic mailing envelope size in the US, used for personal and business correspondence. It's suitable for sending documents like checks, invoices, letters, and statements.
The 11 Regular Envelope is the largest Regular Envelope used in personal and business communications, allowing you to accommodate more pages or fold pages into your mailer.
When measuring your packages, make sure to account for the envelope flap length, allow for potential expansion, and double-check your measurements for accuracy.
Standard Envelope Sizes
Standard envelopes come in various sizes, but did you know that the USPS considers a "large" envelope to be anything over 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, or 1/4 inch thick? These are the minimum requirements for a flat.

If your envelope is less than 6 1/8" high and 11.5" long, it's considered a 1st-class letter, not a flat.
USPS Priority Mail envelopes can hold up to 70 lbs, regardless of the size. This is important to know when choosing the right envelope for your package.
The USPS has specific envelope sizes for shipping coins, with common sizes including 2-1/4″ x 3-1/2″, 2-1/2″ x 4-1/4″, and 3” x 4-1/2″.
Here are some common standard envelope sizes:
Large Envelope Sizes
A large envelope, also known as a flat, is a mailpiece that exceeds certain dimensions.
The USPS considers a piece of mail a flat if its dimensions are greater than 6-1/8 inches high, 11-1/2 inches long, or 1/4 inch thick.
To determine if your envelope is a flat, check its dimensions against these minimum requirements.
If your envelope is less than 6-1/8 inches high and 11-1/2 inches long, it's a 1st-class letter, not a flat.

A flat can have dimensions up to 12 inches high, 15 inches long, and 3/4 inch thick, but not exceeding these maximum requirements.
Here are some common envelope sizes, labeled as either 1st-class letters or flats:
USPS Envelope Requirements
The USPS has specific requirements for envelope sizes to ensure efficient mail sorting.
You can send envelopes with a minimum height of 3-½” and a maximum height of 6-⅛”.
USPS considers rectangular envelopes as standard, so you may need to pay extra postage for sending square-shaped envelopes.
To save on postage, consider folding your letters to fit them in standard envelope sizes.
Here are the standard envelope dimensions to keep in mind:
- Height: 3.5 inch minimum to 6.125 inch maximum
- Length: 5 inch minimum to 11.5 inch maximum
- Thickness: 0.007 inch minimum to 0.25″ inch maximum
First Class Letter Requirements
First Class Letter Requirements are pretty straightforward. To qualify as a First Class letter, it needs to meet specific size requirements.
The length of a First Class letter must be at least 5 inches and no more than 11.5 inches.

Height-wise, it should be at least 3.5 inches and no more than 6.125 inches. You can't go too small or too large for this.
Thickness is also a factor, with a minimum of 0.007 inches and a maximum of 0.25 inches.
Here are the First Class letter size requirements at a glance:
Weight and Size Limits
USPS Priority Mail envelopes have a weight limit of 70 lbs, so make sure your package doesn't exceed this to avoid any issues.
The weight limit is the same for both Flat Rate Envelopes and Variable Rate Envelopes, so you don't have to worry about choosing one over the other for this reason.
To determine the pricing structure, consider whether you're using a Flat Rate Envelope or a Variable Rate Envelope. Flat Rate Envelopes have a fixed price regardless of weight or destination, while Variable Rate Envelopes have prices dependent on weight and distance to destination.

Here's a quick comparison of the two types of envelopes:
Measuring your package well is crucial to choosing the right envelope and avoiding shipping problems, so take the time to get it right.
Contour Flap
Contour flap envelopes are a popular choice for mailing, and for good reason. They're designed to fit snugly around your contents, making them a great option for sending packages and letters.
One of the key benefits of contour flap envelopes is their versatility. They come in many different sizes, which is important to consider when choosing the right one for your needs.
Here are some standard envelope sizes for contour flap envelopes:
These sizes are all standard options, and you can choose the one that best fits your needs.
USPS Envelope Options
You have two main options to choose from when it comes to USPS envelopes: Flat Rate Envelopes and Variable Rate Envelopes.
Flat Rate Envelopes are perfect for heavy items or when you want a fixed shipping cost, regardless of the package's contents or destination. They cost $9.95, no matter the weight or destination.

For lighter packages or short trips, Variable Rate Envelopes are a better choice. The cost depends on the weight and distance of the package.
Here's a quick comparison of the two options:
Types of Priority
USPS offers a range of Priority envelopes to suit different needs.
The Flat Rate Envelope is ideal for standard-sized items and provides a flat rate regardless of weight, up to 70 pounds.
You can use the Legal Flat Rate Envelope for legal documents due to its longer format.
Regional Rate Boxes offer more flexibility in terms of rates based on distance.
When to Choose Each Option
If you're sending heavy items, a flat rate envelope is perfect because the cost is fixed, no matter the package's contents or destination. This makes it easier to calculate shipping costs.
A flat rate envelope is also great for when you want a simplified shipping cost calculation. For example, the USPS Flat Rate Envelope costs a fixed $9.95, regardless of weight or destination.

For lighter packages or short trips, a variable rate envelope is the better choice because the cost is calculated based on weight and distance. This can help you save money on shipping costs.
Here are some key differences between flat rate and variable rate envelopes:
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USPS Envelope Tips

The Post Office has strict guidelines for standard envelope sizes to ensure efficient mail sorting and delivery.
To avoid paying extra for manual sorting, make sure your envelopes fit the automated machines.
USPS recommends using the #10 envelope, which is the most common size.
The minimum dimensions for a standard envelope are 3-½” in height and 5” in length.
You can customize your envelopes, but they must be rectangular in shape.
If you need to send a square-shaped envelope, you'll likely need to pay extra postage.
To save on postage, consider folding your letters to fit them in standard envelope sizes.
You can also use folded self-mailers instead of oversized cards to pay the lowest shipping charges.
Here are the minimum and maximum dimensions for standard envelopes:
USPS Envelope Special Cases
If your envelope doesn't fit into the USPS's automated mail sorting equipment, you might be in for a surprise. The postal employees must sort your envelopes manually, wasting time and slowing down deliveries.

USPS only considers rectangular envelopes as standard. This means that square-shaped envelopes and other non-rectangular shapes may require additional postage.
Some standard envelopes don't work well with the USPS's automated systems due to their sizing and textures. These mailpieces are called "non-machineable" mail.
Non-machineable mail includes letters that are too thick, have clasps or fasteners on the outside of the envelope, or have the short side as the address side. These types of envelopes increase the amount of postage needed.
Here are some examples of non-machineable mail:
- Letters that are too thick
- Letters with clasps or fasteners on the outside of the envelope
- Square envelopes
- Envelopes with the short side as the address side
USPS Envelope Information
The US Postal Service (USPS) offers a variety of envelope sizes to suit different needs.
The most common envelope size is the standard #10 envelope, which measures 3.5 x 6.5 inches.
This size is ideal for sending letters and postcards.
The USPS also offers a variety of specialty envelope sizes, including the A2 envelope, which measures 4.5 x 6.25 inches.
The A2 envelope is great for sending larger letters or photos.
The USPS provides a comprehensive guide to envelope sizes, making it easy to choose the right size for your needs.
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USPS Envelope Comparison
The standard envelope type is the #10 envelope, which most people use. But you can customize your mailers based on your content and needs.
To avoid paying surcharges, make sure your envelopes fit into USPS's automated mail sorting equipment. This means following the minimum and maximum dimensions the Post Office advises.
Here are the dimensions to keep in mind:
USPS only considers rectangular envelopes as standard, so you may need to pay additional postage for sending square-shaped and other envelopes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size envelope is considered a flat?
A flat envelope must be at least 6-1/8 inches high, 11-½ inches long, or ¼ inch thick, and no larger than 12 inches high, 15 inches long, and ¾ inch thick. Check the specific size requirements to determine if your envelope qualifies as a flat.
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