If you're a business owner, there's a good chance that you need a lot of mail to keep your business going. The mail is the heart of any successful communication strategy, from invoices to offline marketing.
USPS First-Class Mail is the perfect option for sending lightweight parcels within a tight timeframe for most companies. It features fast delivery times and is cost-effective for both senders and receivers.
But what exactly does this service include and what is the cost of a first-class letter?
This article will look at what is First-Class Mail, First-Class Mail price, and some other essentials.
In the end, you will know how to send First-Class Mail and be able to make an informed decision whether to use the USPS First-Class Mail system for your business correspondence or look at other solutions.
What Is First-Class Mail? Why Should Businesses Use It?
First-Class Mail is the most popular option for sending envelopes and lightweight packages. This type of Mail is common for postcards, letters, large envelopes, and small packages.
When it comes to delivering mail in a timely fashion, First-Class Mail is typically one of the quickest options available to businesses and individuals.
To put this statement into perspective, note the following statistics:
- USPS delivers over 173 million First-Class Mail pieces every day.
- A standard mail typically takes 2 to 3 weeks to reach its destination nationwide and at least five days for local deliveries. This is a huge contrast to First-Class Mail which reaches recipients within 1 to 3 days for local deliveries and at most five days for nationwide deliveries.
From the moment you send your package to the moment it arrives at its destination, you'll enjoy many benefits with first-class package service, including:
Affordability. First-Class Mail rates start as low as $1.30 for a 1 oz envelope. Hence, you can save money over other shipping options by mailing lighter packages.

Speed & Delivery Time. On average, First-Class domestic packages arrive at their destination in 2-3 days, but delivery can be faster depending on the distance between the origin and destination.
Customization. You can customize your package with any size or shape of an envelope or box to better protect your items during shipment.
Besides, First-Class Mail provides the advantage of sending letters to their destinations without worrying about out-of-date addresses. USPS will either forward the mail pieces to the appropriate recipient on its own or redirect them back to the sender for no additional charge if it's undeliverable for any reason.
This is a huge advantage for organizations that send out a significant amount of advertising through direct mail. No more worrying about lost mail or needing to pay for return postage.
Standards Required for First-Class Package Services
Unlike bulk or standard mail, First-Class Mail services have a set of requirements or restrictions that you must follow to use the service.
Only packages weighing less than 13 ounces are eligible for First-Class Mail parcel delivery. Currently, letters cannot exceed 3 1/2 ounces. The dimensions of these items should be 3 1/2 inches to 6 1/8 inches high, 5 inches to 11 1/2 inches long, and as thick as .007 inches to 1/4 inches.
Like packages, large envelopes cannot weigh more than 13 ounces. The maximum dimensions are 12 inches high by 15 inches long and 3/4 inch thick. The total length and width of the package cannot exceed 108 inches.
The item's weight mainly determines the First-Class Mail price. Plus, a surcharge may also apply to tubular items.