Trust 1st Class for quick, efficient delivery across the UK. We aim to deliver your letters and parcels to their destinations the next working day – including Saturdays. Why send 1st Class?
- Forgotten an important birthday? Send your card or gift 1st Class.
- Stay close to friends and keep in touch with a letter, postcard or surprise parcel.
- Celebrating a special occasion? Set the tone with a 1st Class invitation.
Price Finder
Find the right price for your mail and print postage from your computer.
Print postage online
You can buy and print postage from the comfort of your own home or office with this free and easy-to-use service.
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Overview
1st Class
- Aims to deliver the next working day including Saturdays
- Great value option to get your post delivered safely and on time
- Prices start at 62p for letters up to 100g
- Send parcels up to 20kg in weight
- Includes compensation cover up to £20
Sending a Letter, Large Letter, Small Parcel or Medium Parcel?
Prices for 1st Class are the same no matter where you're sending in the UK. The amount you pay depends on the size and weight of the item you're sending. Each format has its own size and weight limits.
Work out which format your item falls into Format Examples Max weight Max length Max width Max thickness
LetterGreetings cards, personal letters, postcards, bills 100g 24cm 16.5cm 5mm
Large LetterA4 documents, certificates, magazines, CD or DVD in case, some large greeting cards with badges 750g 35.3cm 25cm 2.5cm
Small ParcelLadies boots,
portable speakers,
winter puffa coat,
desk lamp2kg 45cm 35cm 16cm Medium Parcel
Gifts, shoes, heavy
or bulky items20kg 61cm 46cm 46cm Tubes
For tube-shaped items, the length of the item plus twice the diameter must not exceed 104cm, with the greatest dimension being no more than 90cm.
Large parcels
Parcels greater in size than 61cm x 46cm x 46cm or heavier than 20kg can be sent using Parcelforce services which include tracking and guaranteed service as standard.
What if I want a confirmed delivery?
Royal Mail Signed For™ 1st Class
When you need the extra peace of mind you get from proof of delivery with a signature, choose our Royal Mail Signed For™ 1st Class service.
Find out more about our Royal Mail Signed For™ 1st Class.
What if I want a guaranteed next day delivery?
Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am and 1pm™
If you need an item to arrive next day guaranteed, or are sending money or something valuable, Special Delivery™ gives you added peace of mind.Find out more about Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am or 1pm™.
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Prices
Our 1st Class prices for stamps and Online Postage are below:
Letter Weight PriceIncludes postcards.
All prices in the above table are exempt from VAT.
Up to 100g 62p
Large letter Weight PriceAll prices in the above table are exempt from VAT.
Up to 100g 93p 101-250g £1.24 251-500g £1.65 501-750g £2.38
Small Parcels Weight PriceAll prices in the above table are exempt from VAT.
Up to 1000g £3.20 1001-2000g £5.45
Medium Parcels Weight PriceAll prices in the above table are exempt from VAT.
0-1kg £5.65 1-2kg £8.90 2-5kg £15.85 5-10kg £21.90 10-20kg £33.40 Get a price from our online calculator tool or download our full price guide.
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How to buy
At your Post Office®
1st Class stamps are available at all Post Office® branches. Find your nearest Post Office®.
Post & Go
You can also save time at the Post Office® by using one of the self-serve Post & Go machines. Simply weigh your item, select the service you want, buy and print your postage label.Buy online
Buy your postage online. You can:
- Use our Price Finder to find out how much your item costs and then print postage directly onto your envelopes or labels. Calculate and print your postage now.
Or
- You can start printing your postage right away with our Online Postage services.
Retailers
You can also buy stamps from many retail outlets including supermarkets and newsagents.
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Frequently asked questions
- Is my item guaranteed to arrive next day?
- What compensation is provided?
- How much does 1st Class mail cost?
- I’m posting a valuable item. Should I be using 1st Class mail?
- Are there restrictions on what I can send?
- What are the delivery times for 1st Class mail?
- What are the size and weight limits?
- Need advice on how to wrap and pack your items?
Search help for more answers...
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Is my item guaranteed to arrive next day?
Although we aim to deliver 93% of 1st Class mail the next working day after posting, we are unable to provide a guaranteed service. For guaranteed next day delivery we recommend Special Delivery Guaranteed™.
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What compensation is provided?
Every 1st Class item is covered against loss or damage up to £20 or the value of the item, whichever is lower.
Compensation for valuables, such as money and jewellery is not available on this service.
Valuables (money and jewellery) and tems of greater value should be sent using Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed™ which is a tracked and secure service.
Find out more about compensation for loss, damage or delay for all our services.
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How much does 1st Class mail cost?
Prices are the same no matter where you’re sending to in the UK, and the amount you pay depends simply on the weight and size of the item you’re sending.
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I’m posting a valuable item. Should I be using 1st Class mail?
1st Class mail is not the right service for sending high-value items through the post. All valuable items, especially money and jewellery, should be sent using Special Delivery Guaranteed™.
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Are there restrictions on what I can send?
Some items are prohibited or restricted from being sent in the post in the UK, so please check before posting.
Find out more about what you can and can’t send.
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What are the delivery times for 1st Class mail?
Although we aim to deliver 93% of 1st Class mail the next working day after posting, we are unable to provide a guaranteed service. For guaranteed next day delivery we recommend Special Delivery Guaranteed™.
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What are the size and weight limits?
Find out more about our size and weight limits.
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Need advice on how to wrap and pack your items?
Find out the correct way to wrap, pack and address your mail.
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Search our help centre
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