USPS® Direct Mail Postage Rates

Updated 2/20/26

How much does it cost to send out mailers? Navigating the intricacies of the U.S. Postal Service® (USPS®) can be daunting, especially when it comes to calculating the cost of postage. Our Guide to Understanding USPS® Direct Mail Postage Rates will clarify direct mail postage and delivery, and help you achieve powerful results!

Direct Mail Timeline

Once you have finalized your direct mailer design and offer, we recommend following this timeline when scheduling a direct mail campaign.

Lead Time

Lead time refers to the period of time between printing and preparing your mailers to delivering them to the USPS®. At Sharpdots, we print and prepare your mailers within 24-72 hours. Keep in mind this timeline is dependent on your mailer design, order quantity, and how quickly your proof is approved.

Drop Date

The drop date refers to when your mailer is delivered to USPS® for verification and processing; this is when USPS® prepares the mail for processing and ensures that it meets their standards for mailing.

Delivery Date

The delivery date is when your mailer lands in mailboxes. This date varies based on the postage rate you have selected and the distance between the post office location where you deliver the mailer and your mailer’s final destination.

If you are still in the process of planning your campaign and designing your mailer, our article launch a successful campaign will walk you through all the necessary steps.

USPS® Mail Classes for Direct Mail

USPS® offers several services for sending mail. Below are the three main mail classes used for direct mail campaigns, each with their own unique benefits and pricing structures:

First-Class Mail®

Ideal for personal or business correspondence as well as direct mail campaigns that require fast delivery!

Suitable for letters, postcards, and small packages up to 13 ounces.
Rates start at $0.672 for letters and increase based on weight.
Typically delivered in 2-5 business days.

Marketing Mail® (formerly Standard Mail®)

Designed for bulk direct mail campaigns that do not require urgent delivery.

Suitable for bulk advertising such as flyers, newsletters, and catalogs.
Rates are more affordable than First-Class Mail®, with prices varying based on sorting and preparation.
Typically delivered in 7-14 business days.

Every Door Direct Mail® (EDDM®)

Allows businesses to target specific neighborhoods without needing a mailing list.

Suitable for businesses wanting to reach local consumers.
Rates start at $0.247 per piece; minimum of one delivery route.
Typically delivered in 7-14 business days. Can take up to 14 business days.
Learn how to launch an EDDM® campaign with our insightful post.

The Basics on USPS® Postage Rates

USPS® postage rates that effect the cost of sending your mailer:

Postcard Rate: Mailers 4×6″, 4.25×6″
Letter Rate: Mailers 5×7″ to 6×11″, including letters and tabbed brochures.
Flat Rate: Mailers larger than 6×11″, including catalogs and large postcards.

Factors to consider that will effect your postage rate:

Weight and Size of Mail: Heavier and larger items cost more to send.
Shape and Design: Unusual shapes may require additional handling fees.
Mail Class and Service Level: Different classes have varying rates and delivery times.
Destination: Domestic and international rates differ, with international mail generally costing more.

Calculating Costs

How much does it cost to send out mailers? The cost varies widely, but you should consider three main factors: the cost of designing and printing your mailers, the cost of your mailing list, and the cost of postage for sending your mailer. You can get a print quote for you mailer, and you may already own a mailing list, but what about the cost of postage?

How to calculate postage cost for your next direct mail campaign:

Determine the weight and size of your mailer.
Select the appropriate postage rate for your mailer.
Estimate your campaign’s postage cost based on quantity in the chart below. (Additional fees may apply.)

CASS Sorting

This calculation will always be an estimate. The quality of your data and quantity of targets in your list will be determined by USPS® during the CASS (Coding Accuracy Support System) sorting process.

What is CASS Sorting?

CASS sorting is when USPS® verifies addresses on your list against an official list of deliverable addresses in the United States. This process removes invalid addresses and duplicate addresses in your mailing list. As a result, mailing list often decreases in size after CASS sorting.

Enhanced Data Mailing Lists

This is why it’s so important for your mailing list to contain current and accurate data. At Sharpdots, we refresh and enhance our customer mailing lists through our data enrichment services. Whether you need to update your records or fill in gaps in your data, we can enrich your mailing lists with current and accurate data before your send your campaign.

Direct Mail Postage Rate Estimation Chart

Mail Class	Time for Delivery	Postage Rate	Mailer Type	Mailer Size	Minimum QTY	Maximum Weight	Estimated Postage Per Piece
First Class Mail ®	2-5 Business Days	Postcard Rate	Postcards	4.25×6″ or 4×6″	500		$0.468
		Letter Rate	Postcards, Letters & Brochures	4.5×6.5″ to 6×11″	500	up to 3.5oz	$0.672
		Flat Rate	Large Postcards, Envelopes & Catalogs	8.5×11″	500		$1.52 – $4.93
Marketing Mail ®	7-14 Business Days	Postcard Rate	Postcards	4.25×6″ or 4×6″	200		$0.433
		Letter Rate	Postcards, Letters & Brochures	4.5×6.5″ to 6×11″	200		$0.433
		Flat Rate	Large Postcards, Envelopes & Catalogs	8.5×11″	200	up to 4oz	$1.185
EDDM ®	7-14 Business Days	Flat Rate	Postcards, Envelopes & Catalogs	Maximum: 15″ long x 12″ high x .75″ thick. Minimum: 10.5″ long x 6.125″ high x .25″ thick.	One Postal Route	up to 3.3oz	$0.247

Download a printable version of this chart. Keep it handy for you and your team as you plan your next campaign.

DOWNLOAD CHART NOW>>

Cost-Saving Tips

Affordable Products and Sizes

Choose standard sizes to avoid additional fees.

Nonprofit Rates

Eligibility Criteria: Nonprofit organizations can apply for reduced rates.
Application Process: Guide on how to apply for nonprofit mailing privileges.

Bulk Mailing Discounts

How to Qualify: Ensure your mail meets USPS® requirements for sorting and preparation.
Benefits of Bulk Mailing: Lower rates per piece, making large campaigns more cost-effective.
Order with SHARPDOTS: Our clients send their direct mail through our account in order to take advantage of our bulk mail discounts. Often times, our discount is even greater than our clients’ discounts because USPS® offers additional discounts depending on the volume of mailers you send through your account.

Optimize for Cost and Efficiency

By understanding USPS® postage rates and delivery options, you can optimize your direct mail campaigns for cost and efficiency. If you’re wondering, how much does it cost to send out mailers? We can help you plan and budget.

For assistance launching your next campaign, reach out to Sharpdots Service or click below to submit a Direct Mail Quote request.

DIRECT MAIL QUOTE