Postcard Size report
Postcards have been around nearly as long as postal services and are produced in a wide range of sizes, some even being unique shapes, for instance, circular. However, there are some recognized sizes for the standard postcard worldwide.
Postcards are a popular direct mail tool nowadays. Postcard choice can be a vital piece of your activity, so you want to make sure you get everything right the first time around. The first step before beginning your design is to decide which standard postcard size is right for your idea. Those common standard postcard sizes are: 4" x 6", 4.25" x 5.5", 4.25" x 6", 5" x 7", 5.5" x 8.5", 6" x 9", and 11" x 6".
To best make use of USPS rates, they also have to meet specific requirements: size. We want to help you pick the right postcard size that best fits your plans and budget. Different postal companies have various postcard size regulations and prices, and you can find more details in the following article.
International Standard Postcard Size
Although the consensus is that the dimensions of an international standard postcard are A6 size, 148 x 105 mm or 5.8 x 4.1 inches, the different countries or postal services have defined postcards as having the following maximum and minimum sizes for their members. You should know that folded postcards have 2 kinds: half-folds and tri-folds. The following are several international postcard sizes.
| Regular Size | Continental Size | OverSized | Modern Size | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| cm | 9 x 14 cm | 10.5 x 15 cm | 13 x 18 cm | 12 x 16.5 cm |
| inch | 3 1/2" x 5 1/2" | 4" x 6" | More than 5" x 7" | 4 3/4" x 6 1/2" |
UPU Standard Postcard Sizes
While the US minimum size and the UPU International minimum size are very similar, the UPU International maximum size is considerably bigger than the USPS maximum size.
| UPU Size | Length x Height (inch) | Length x Height (mm) |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 9.25" x 4.72" | 235 x 120 mm |
| Minimum | 5.51" x 3.54" | 140 x 90 mm |
USPS Standard Postcard Size
The US Postal Service defines postcards as having a maximum and minimum size, and also has thickness requirements for postcards and letters to prevent thin sheets of paper from getting jammed in their machines. If you do not follow USPS mailing requirements, you may be required to mail your postcards within envelopes, which will cost you more.
Mail classes also etermine how quickly recipients will receive your postcard. There are two typical USPS mail classes: First Class Mail and Standard Mail.
| USPS Size | Length x Height (inch) | Length x Height (mm) | Thickness (inch) | Thickness (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum | 6" x 4.25" | 152.4 x 108 mm | 0.016" | 0.406 mm |
| Minimum | 5" x 3.5" | 127 x 89 mm | 0.07" | 0.178 mm |
UK Standard Postcard Sizes
In the UK, postcards were introduced in 1870, plain and printed by the post office. From 1894 picture postcards were introduced (known as court cards) at 4.75 x 3.5 inches. In 1899 a standard postcard size of 5.5 x 3.5 inches was introduced as the maximum size. The minimum size was 3.25 x 2.25 inches. The minimum size was raised to 4 x 2.75 inches in 1906, and in 1925, the maximum size was raised to 5.8 x 4.1.
| UK Sizes | Length x Height (mm) | Length x Height (inch) |
|---|---|---|
| A5 | 210mm x 148mm | 8.3" x 5.8" |
| A6 | 148mm x 105mm | 5.8" x 4.1" |
