What Each Postcard Size Costs to Mail by USPS Rate Tier
Postcard size is not just a design choice, it is a postage decision. A 4 by 6 card mails at the cheapest postcard rate, while 5 by 7, 6 by 9, and 6 by 11 cross into letter and flat rates. Here is every standard size and the USPS tier it lands in.
The standard postcard sizes are 4x6, 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11 inches, and the size sets the USPS rate. Only a card between 3.5x5 and 4.25x6 inches qualifies for the cheapest First-Class postcard rate, so 4x6 is the value pick. Larger sizes like 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11 mail at letter or flat rates. Choose the size for the impact you want, then match it to the postage tier.
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Standard postcard sizes in one paragraph
The common standard postcard sizes are 4x6, 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11 inches, and each one lands in a different USPS rate tier. A 4 by 6 card fits the postcard dimensions and mails cheapest, while larger cards move up to letter or flat rates. You pick the size for the impact you want and the postage you can accept. The chart below lines up each size against its rate tier.
Why postcard size drives your postage
With most printed pieces, size is about looks. With postcards, size is about money, because the US Postal Service prices mail partly by dimension. A card that fits the official postcard envelope mails at the lowest rate, and the moment it grows past that envelope it jumps to a higher class. On a mailing of thousands, that difference compounds fast.
So the smart way to choose a postcard size is to weigh two things at once: how much presence you want in the mailbox, and how much you are willing to pay per piece to get it. A small card is cheap to mail but easy to overlook. A large card is impossible to miss but costs more to send. The right answer depends on your campaign, not on a single best size.
This guide lines up every standard size against its postage tier so you can make that trade-off with real numbers. Then it points you to the matching product, from everyday postcards to oversized postcards, and to direct mail postcards when you want us to print and mail in one step.
Standard sizes and the USPS rate each hits
The USPS postcard rate, the cheapest First-Class option, applies only to cards between 3.5 by 5 inches and 4.25 by 6 inches, with a thickness between 0.007 and 0.016 inch. That window is why the 4 by 6 postcard is the value champion: it fits the postcard dimensions exactly and mails at the lowest rate. If your budget drives the campaign, 4 by 6 is almost always the starting point.
Go bigger and you leave the postcard rate behind. A 5 by 7 card exceeds the postcard maximum, so it mails as a First-Class letter, which costs more per piece but gives you noticeably more room and presence. A 6 by 9 card is the classic marketing size, large enough to carry an offer and a strong image, and it mails at letter or flat rates depending on how you send it.
At the top, a 6 by 11 card is built for maximum impact. It dominates a mailbox and is hard to ignore, and it mails at flat rates. There is no wrong choice here, only a trade-off: each step up in size buys more attention and costs more postage. Match the size to what the campaign needs to accomplish.
Choosing the right size for your campaign
Start from the goal. For a high-frequency, budget-conscious mailing, a reminder, a coupon, a save-the-date, the 4 by 6 postcard rate keeps your cost per piece low so you can mail more often. For a single, high-stakes drop where standing out matters more than volume, a 6 by 9 or 6 by 11 card earns its higher postage by getting noticed and read.
Content also argues for a size. A card carrying a map, a menu, several offers, or a bold photo needs the real estate of a 6 by 9 or larger, while a simple one-message card works fine at 4 by 6. Think about how much you are asking the recipient to absorb, and give that content enough room to breathe without crowding the edges.
When you want the print and the mailing handled together, our direct mail postcards combine both, and the broader standard printing collection covers the everyday sizes. For the rules on preparing a card for the mail stream, see our guide on postcard mailing dimensions and USPS requirements.
The right resolution for each size
Whatever size you choose, the file has to be built at print resolution, which is 300 pixels per inch. That means the pixel dimensions scale directly with the size. A 4 by 6 card is 1200 by 1800 pixels, a 5 by 7 card is 1500 by 2100, a 6 by 9 card is 1800 by 2700, and a 6 by 11 card is 1800 by 3300. Set your canvas to those numbers and your images stay crisp on paper.
Add bleed and a safe area on top, just like any print piece. Run backgrounds 0.125 inch past the trim so no white edge appears after cutting, and keep addresses, offers, and fine print inside a safe margin so nothing important is clipped. On the mailing side, leave the address panel clear per postal guidelines so the card scans and delivers cleanly.
If you would rather not manage resolution and bleed yourself, our online design tool sets the correct canvas for the size you pick, and our design templates give you a correctly sized starting layout for each standard postcard.
Wally weighs size against postage
4x6 mails cheapest, bigger buys attention
Wally treats postcard size as a postage decision. A 4 by 6 fits the postcard rate and mails cheapest, while 5 by 7, 6 by 9, and 6 by 11 climb into letter and flat rates but own the mailbox. Build the file at 300 DPI for the size, keep the address panel clear, and let 4OVER4 print it, or print and mail it, in one step.
Order postcards →Size and postage
Standard postcard sizes and USPS rate tiers
Each standard size lands in a different postage tier. Use it to balance mailbox impact against cost per piece.
| Size | USPS rate tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 in | First-Class postcard rate (lowest) | High-volume, budget-conscious mailings and reminders |
| 5 x 7 in | First-Class letter rate | More room and presence at a modest step up in postage |
| 6 x 9 in | Letter or flat rate | The marketing workhorse for offers, images, and maps |
| 6 x 11 in | Flat rate | Maximum mailbox impact for a single high-stakes drop |
Quick reference
Postcard sizes and resolution at a glance
Every standard size with its pixel dimensions at 300 DPI, so your artwork stays sharp whatever you choose.
| Size | Pixels at 300 DPI | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 4 x 6 in | 1200 x 1800 px | Fits the USPS postcard dimensions and mails at the lowest rate. |
| 5 x 7 in | 1500 x 2100 px | Exceeds the postcard maximum; mails as a First-Class letter. |
| 6 x 9 in | 1800 x 2700 px | The classic marketing size; letter or flat rate. |
| 6 x 11 in | 1800 x 3300 px | Maximum impact; mails at flat rates. |
| Bleed | 0.125 in past every edge | Prevents white edges after the card is cut. |
| Safe area | 0.125 in inside the trim | Keeps addresses and offers clear of the blade. |
| Address panel | Left clear per USPS | Ensures the card scans and delivers cleanly. |
| Resolution | 300 DPI | Print resolution that keeps photos sharp at any size. |
Step by step
Pick and print the right postcard in 6 steps
- Set the goal for the mailing Decide whether volume and low cost or maximum standout matters more, since that points you toward a smaller or larger size.
- Match size to postage Choose 4 by 6 for the cheapest postcard rate, or step up to 5 by 7, 6 by 9, or 6 by 11 when impact justifies the higher rate.
- Build the file at 300 DPI Set the canvas to the pixel size for your dimension, from 1200 by 1800 for a 4 by 6 up to 1800 by 3300 for a 6 by 11.
- Add bleed and a safe area Run backgrounds 0.125 inch past the trim and keep addresses and offers inside a safe margin.
- Keep the address panel clear Leave the mailing area open per USPS guidelines so the card scans and delivers without issues.
- Order print, or print and mail Order the postcards on their own, or choose direct mail postcards to have us print and mail them in one step.
Specs and pricing
Postcard specs and live pricing
Once you have picked a size, the print decisions come down to stock, finish, and quantity. Here are the live specs and price-per-unit for postcards at 4OVER4, straight from the configurator.
| Quantity | Price Per Unit | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 50 | 33.0¢ | $16.48 |
| 100 | 24.2¢ | $24.16 |
| 200 | 15.9¢ | $31.86 |
| 300 | 12.8¢ | $38.45 |
| 400 | 11.3¢ | $45.04 |
| 500 | 10.3¢ | $51.62 |
| 600 | 9.89¢ | $59.31 |
| 700 | 9.57¢ | $67.00 |
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Common Questions
Common questions about standard postcard sizes
What is the standard postcard size?
The most common standard postcard sizes are 4x6, 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11 inches. The 4 by 6 is the true postcard size in USPS terms, since it fits the postcard dimensions and mails at the lowest First-Class rate. The larger sizes are widely used for marketing but mail at letter or flat rates. There is no single standard, rather a set of standards, and the right one depends on how much impact you want and how much postage you are willing to pay per piece.
How do I choose the right postcard size?
Balance impact against postage. For high-volume, budget-conscious mailings like reminders and coupons, 4 by 6 keeps your cost per piece lowest. For a single high-stakes drop where standing out matters, a 6 by 9 or 6 by 11 card earns its higher postage by dominating the mailbox. Content matters too: a card with a map, a menu, or several offers needs the room of a larger size, while a one-message card works fine at 4 by 6. Start from the goal, then match the size to it.
What does a postcard mailing cost and how is it priced?
Total cost combines printing and postage, and both are affected by size. Printing scales with quantity, stock, and finish, with a larger run lowering the unit price. Postage is set by the USPS rate tier your size falls into: 4 by 6 mails at the cheapest postcard rate, while larger cards move up to letter or flat rates. You set the print options in the configurator and see the price update live, and choosing direct mail postcards lets you handle print and mailing together.
What sizes, stocks, and finishes are available for postcards?
Standard sizes run from 4x6 up through 5x7, 6x9, and 6x11, with oversized options for even more presence. Stocks range from standard card weights to thick premium boards, and finishes include matte and gloss coatings, soft touch, and specialty options like foil and spot gloss. Direct mail versions add addressing and mailing services. The live specs on each product page show the exact sizes, stocks, and finishes available so you can match the card to the campaign.
How long do postcards take to print and ship?
Turnaround depends on the size, stock, finish, and quantity, and whether you add mailing services. Each product page shows the production and shipping options at checkout so you can pick a timeline that fits your campaign schedule. If you choose direct mail postcards, the mailing step is built into the process, so the cards go from press to the mail stream without a separate handoff.
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Choose the size that balances impact against postage, then let us print it or print and mail it in one step. Adjust every option and watch your price update live at 4OVER4.
Legal Disclaimer
Gold Standard guarantees apply to all standard orders placed through 4over4.com. Price match requires verifiable proof of a competitor's published price for an equivalent product with matching specifications and turnaround time. Satisfaction guarantee covers manufacturing defects and print quality issues. Contact support with order number and documentation. On-time delivery rate based on tracked orders 1999 to 2026. Individual results may vary based on shipping carrier performance.
