How to Send a Parcel with Royal Mail: Sizes, Prices & Guide

You’ve got a parcel to send, and Royal Mail is the most familiar option — but the process isn’t always as simple as slapping on a stamp. Between size categories, pricing tiers, and the choice of Click & Drop versus walking into a Post Office, this guide walks you through exactly how to send a parcel with Royal Mail, from measuring your box to printing the label and choosing the right delivery speed.

Smallest parcel weight: 2 kg ·
Starting price: £3.65 ·
Maximum parcel weight: 30 kg ·
Delivery time within UK: 1-2 working days ·
International destinations: over 230 countries ·
Annual parcel volume: over 12 billion items

The table below summarises the key parcel specifications and pricing for domestic and international services.

What are Royal Mail parcel sizes and prices?

Four parcel size categories determine what you pay. Get the dimensions wrong and your parcel could be bumped to a more expensive band — or refused at the counter. Royal Mail uses small, medium, and large parcel definitions, plus a “large letter” category that’s often the cheapest if your item fits.

What are the dimensions for small, medium, and large parcels?

• Small parcel: max 45 cm × 35 cm × 16 cm, weight up to 2 kg (Hub Packaging (parcel size guide))
• Medium parcel: max 61 cm × 46 cm × 46 cm, weight up to 20 kg (Hub Packaging (parcel size guide))
• Large parcel: max 1.5 m (length) × 0.5 m (width) × 0.5 m (height), weight up to 30 kg (Hub Packaging (parcel size guide))

How much does a small parcel cost?

Prices start at £3.65 for a small parcel sent via Royal Mail 2nd Class (Royal Mail Official). 1st Class for the same size costs more — around £5.10 — and offers next-working-day delivery. The exact price depends on whether you buy online (usually cheaper) or at a Post Office counter.

How much does a medium parcel cost?

The medium parcel category covers most standard shoebox-sized packages up to 20 kg. 2nd Class starts at roughly £6.20 online, while 1st Class sits around £8.80. Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm adds a premium for time-sensitive items and includes compensation up to £750.

How much does a large parcel cost?

Large parcels — think bulky items up to 30 kg — cost from about £12.20 for 2nd Class and around £15.80 for 1st Class. If your parcel exceeds the length limit of 1.5 metres, you’ll need Parcelforce instead, not Royal Mail.

Remember, getting the size right is the biggest factor in keeping costs down.

How do I send a parcel using Click and Drop?

Click & Drop is Royal Mail’s free online postage service for senders who want to handle everything from a laptop or phone. No subscription, no minimum volume — just create an account and go. It’s designed for occasional and personal senders, but works for up to 200 parcels per transaction.

What is Click and Drop and how does it work?

• Register at send.royalmail.com, enter parcel details, pay online, and print label (Royal Mail Official (Click & Drop))
• Collection can be added during the booking process, or drop off at a Post Office or Parcel Locker
• You can send up to 200 parcels per transaction via Click and Drop

How do I create an order on Click and Drop?

After logging in at send.royalmail.com, enter the recipient’s full name, address, and postcode. Then input your parcel’s weight and dimensions — the system calculates the price in real-time based on the size category. Choose your delivery service (1st Class, 2nd Class, Special Delivery, or one of the international options) and proceed to payment (YouTube – Royal Mail How-To Guide (app walkthrough)).

How do I print a label from Click and Drop?

After payment confirmation, the label appears as a PDF. Print it on plain A4 paper (two per sheet works if your parcel is small enough for a half-label). If you don’t have a printer, use the Parcel Locker option instead — the locker prints a label on-screen for you to attach.

Can I arrange a collection with Click and Drop?

Yes. During the booking flow, select “Arrange a collection” and pick a date and time window. The postie picks up from your doorstep — no need to be home if you leave the parcel in a safe place. Collection costs vary; check availability in your postcode during booking.

Click & Drop shifts the work to you but saves money and time for those who can print at home.

How do I get a Royal Mail postage label?

You have three ways to get a label. The method you choose depends on whether you have a printer at home, how close your nearest Post Office is, and whether you’re willing to queue.

Can I print a label at home?

Yes — use Click & Drop or buy postage online at royalmail.com and print the label immediately. The label must include the correct address, postage paid indicator, and a return address if applicable (YouTube – Royal Mail How-To Guide (label instructions)). Print in black and white, no colour required.

Can I get a label at the Post Office?

Absolutely. Take your parcel to any Post Office counter. They weigh it, measure it, take payment, and print the label on the spot. No printer at home needed — this is the traditional method and works for every parcel size.

Do I need a printer to send a parcel?

No. Use the Parcel Locker service: you scan the QR code from your phone at a locker, the on-screen terminal prints a label, you attach it and drop the parcel in. Available 24/7 at many locker locations across the UK.

Consider your printing situation carefully before deciding which label option suits you best.

How much does it cost to send a parcel to Ireland?

Ireland is the most popular international destination for UK senders — and Royal Mail treats it differently from other European destinations because of the Common Travel Area customs rules. Pricing depends on size, weight, and service tier.

What are the International Standard and Tracked prices for Ireland?

• International Standard (small parcel up to 2 kg): starts from approximately £6.50 (Royal Mail Official (international pricing))
• International Tracked (small parcel up to 2 kg): starts from approximately £9.80
• International Tracked & Signed (small parcel up to 2 kg): starts from approximately £11.50

Are there any weight-based or size-based surcharges?

Yes — your parcel’s weight and size combination determines the price band. A small parcel up to 2 kg costs less than a medium one, even for the same destination. Check Royal Mail’s live price calculator before booking because the rates update regularly.

How do prices compare to sending domestically?

Sending to Ireland costs roughly double the UK domestic price for the same size parcel. For a small 2 kg parcel, UK 2nd Class is £3.65 versus International Standard at £6.50 — a 78% premium. The difference narrows for tracked services because domestic tracking also carries a surcharge.

Check the live price calculator and customs requirements before booking to avoid surprises.

What is the process to send a parcel in the UK?

The domestic sending process boils down to four steps: weigh and measure, choose service, get label, drop off. Each step has a few branching options depending on your preference.

1. Weigh and measure your parcel accurately.
2. Choose the right service (1st Class, 2nd Class, Special Delivery).
3. Get a Royal Mail postage label (home print, Post Office, or Parcel Locker).
4. Drop off your parcel or arrange a home collection.

Do I need to weigh and measure my parcel?

Yes — Royal Mail requires accurate weight and dimensions to determine the price category. Use home kitchen scales for small parcels (up to 2 kg) or bathroom scales for larger ones. For precise measurements, a tape measure is fine — round up to the nearest cm. If you’re at a Post Office, they’ll do this for you.

How do I choose the right service (First Class, Second Class, Special Delivery)?

• Royal Mail 1st Class: next working day delivery within UK (Post Office UK Official)
• Royal Mail 2nd Class: typically 3 working days
• Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm: next working day by 1 pm, with compensation up to £750
• Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am: next working day by 9 am, with compensation up to £2,500

Where can I drop off my parcel?

Options: Post Office counter (any branch), Parcel Locker (24/7, no queue), Collect+ shop (usually open late), or Royal Mail delivery office. Home collection is also available — book via Click & Drop or by calling Royal Mail. Collection prices vary; it’s sometimes free with a Click & Drop booking, sometimes charged as a separate fee.

What if I want a collection?

Book a Royal Mail collection up to 7 days in advance. The postie picks up from your door during the usual delivery round. Leave the parcel in a safe place if you won’t be home — the app allows you to note a safe spot. Missed collections can be rescheduled online.

Ultimately, matching the service to your parcel’s urgency and value is key.

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Frequently asked questions

For UK senders, the choice between services comes down to urgency and budget. The cheapest route — small parcel, 2nd Class, online bought — costs £3.65 and takes up to three days. The most expensive — Special Delivery by 9am — hits £30+ and guarantees arrival before breakfast. The implication: unless your parcel needs to be somewhere tomorrow before lunch, the standard services cover most needs without the premium. For international senders to Ireland or beyond, the jump from Standard to Tracked is worth it for the peace of mind that comes with a tracking number and compensation.

For anyone sending a parcel in the UK today, the practical path is clear: measure first, compare online vs counter pricing, and use Click & Drop if you have a printer. The alternative — walking into a Post Office without measuring — risks paying for a larger size category than you need.