Postcard dimensions and sizes

by Egle Goleckyte

What are postcards and why are good postcard dimensions important?

Finding the correct sized postcards for direct mail campaigns can be a bit difficult If you select a smaller dimension it may be missed and oversized postcards have a risk of being folded and they cost more. Therefore budgeting and marketing needs are imperative when determining the correct postcard dimensions you want.

A postcard is a rectangular-shaped piece of paper or cardboard used for mailing and writing without the use of an envelope. A standard postcard design has an image on one side and the opposite side has the postage, mailing address, and a message. In addition, postcards are occasionally used for either personal or business purposes since the postage rate at the post office for mailing letters is quite expensive. 

Postcard Dimensions and Sizes. 

Postcards fall under four main key dimensions they are;

Small-sized postcards – (4.25” * 6” and 107.9 * 152.4 millimeters )  are great for straight-to-the-point designs therefore if your size falls in this category you can send at first-class mail rates that have lower postage costs to marketing mail option.

Standard-sized postcards – (6” * 9” and 152.4 * 228.6 millimeters ) are considered to be the popular option due to their wide variety of functions.

Jumbo-sized postcard – (6” * 11” and 152.4 * 279.4 millimeters ) considered to be the largest size on the market and offers the same multifunctional properties as the standard dimensions but with larger proportions therefore portrait orientation

Extra-large postcards – (9” * 12” and 228.6 * 304.8 millimeters ) are categorized in the flat-rate pricing and due to their larger size, it has increased visibility.

The tables below show the postcard mailing size thickness used in the postal service.

Size Length * height size in inchesLength * height size in millimetersThickness size in inchesThickness size in millimeters
Maximum thickness 6.0 * 4.25 inches152.4 * 107.9 millimeters0.016 inches0.406 millimeters
Minimum thickness5.0 * 3.5 inches127.0 * 88.9 millimeters0.007 inches0.178 millimeters
Standard Postcard Dimensions for Mailing
Standard Postcard Dimensions for Mailing (by Printplace)


Maximum postcard size and minimum postcard size used in the postal service.

Size Length * height size in millimetersLength * height size in inches
Maximum size 235 * 120 millimeters9.25 * 4.72 inches
Minimum size140 * 90 millimeters5.51 * 3.54 inches

Paper sizes

Understanding paper sizes? Read our Paper size charts here

Paper decimal (millimeters)Imperial (inches)
C1648 * 917 millimeters25.51 * 36.10 inches
C2458 * 648 millimeters18.03 * 25.51 inches
C3324 * 458 millimeters12.76 * 18.03 inches
C4229 * 324 millimeters9.02 * 12.76 inches
C5162 * 229 millimeters6.38 * 9.02  inches
C6114 * 162 millimeters4.49 * 6.38 inches
DL110 * 220 millimeters4.33 * 8.66 inches

The table below shows standard postcard dimensions in the UK.

 ARABSRAC
Basic sheet841 * 1189 millimeters 33.1 * 46.8 inches860 * 1220 millimeters 33.8 * 48.0 inches1000 * 1414 millimeters 39.3 * 55.6 inches900 * 1280 millimeters 35.4 * 50.3 inches971 * 1296 millimeters 38.2 * 51.0 inches
Subdivision 1 594 * 841 millimeters 23.3 * 33.1 inches610 * 860 millimeters 24.0 * 33.8 inches707 * 1000 millimeters 27.8 * 39.3 inches640 * 900 millimeters 25.1 * 35.4 inches648 * 917 millimeters 25.5 * 38.2 inches
Subdivision 2420 * 594 millimeters 16.5 * 23.3 inches430 * 610 millimeters 16.9 * 24.0 inches500 * 707 millimeters 19.6 * 27.8 inches450 * 640 millimeters 17.7 * 25.1 inches458 * 648 millimeters 18.0 * 25.5 inches
Subdivision 3297 * 420 millimeters 11.6 * 16.5 inches305 * 430 millimeters 12.0 * 16.9 inches353 * 500 millimeters 13.8 * 19.6 inches320 * 450 millimeters 12.5 * 17.7 inches324 * 458 millimeters 12.7 * 18.0 inches
Subdivision 4210 * 297 millimeters 8.2 * 11.6 inches 215 * 305 millimeters 8.4 * 12.0 inches250 * 353 millimeters 9.8 * 13.8 inches225 * 320 millimeters 8.8 * 12.5 inches229 * 324 millimeters 9.0 * 12.7 inches
Subdivision 5148 * 210 millimeters 5.8 * 8.2 inches152 * 215 millimeters 5.9 * 8.4 inches176 * 250 millimeters 6.9 * 9.8 inches160 * 225 millimeters 6.2 * 8.8 inches162 * 229 millimeters 6.3 * 9.0 inches
Subdivision 6105 * 148 millimeters 4.1 * 5.8 inches107 * 215 millimeters 4.2 * 5.9 inches125 * 176 millimeters 4.9 * 6.9 inches112 * 160 millimeters 4.4 * 6.2 inches114 * 162 millimeters 4.4 * 6.3 inches
Subdivision 774 * 105 millimeters 2.9 * 4.1 inches76 * 107 millimeters 2.9 * 4.2 inches88 * 125 millimeters 3.4 * 4.9 inches80 * 112 millimeters 3.1 * 4.4 inches81 * 114 millimeters 3.1 * 4.4 inches
Subdivision 852 * 74 millimeters 2.0 * 2.9 inches53 * 76 millimeters 2.0 * 2.9 inches62 * 88 millimeters 2.4 * 3.4 inches56 * 80 millimeters 2.2 * 3.1 inches57 *81 millimeters 2.2 * 3.1 inches

How to choose the right postcard dimension for you

Postcard printing service is considered to be one of the most helpful and versatile mechanisms in conveying messages and providing an affordable mailing option.

Compared to flyers and business cards, postcards are a better option because postcard marketing is a type of direct mail that helps one to stick out to their potential customers.

In addition, they are also used for relaying messages to friends and family therefore printing postcards does not only entail the postcard design and paper basis weight but also different dimensions of postcards.

What is the standard size of a postcard?

Different sizes for postcards came in various dimensions for example; 6” * 9” and 152.4 * 228.6 millimeters ,4” * 6″ and 101.6 * 152.4 millimeters ,5.5″ * 8.5″ and 139.7 * 215.9 millimeters just to name a few. Therefore you can choose the perfect postcard size and for attractive postcards, one can add a background color, bold letters, and a postcard stamp with bright colors.

A standard postcard size must qualify for USPS marketing mail requirements and the postcard rates depend on size options available. Moreover, mailing costs for a larger postcard size uses bulk pricing which is cost-effective.

Postcard Sizing explained

Avoid problems sending postcards, check the correct postcard dimensions by La Lido Loca

Conclusion on Postcard dimensions

Postcards are used for various purposes it can either be informal or formal. Therefore size is the biggest option to consider when choosing one.

Postcard layout and dimensions are grouped into various sizes that are an ultimate guide to choose from, for example, the small-sized postcards use first-class rates when mailing, and are also considered the standard postcard size. 

A business owner will use various attachments like vibrant colors or spot colors to make attractive business cards as a marketing strategy for the products they provide.

In reality, using a reliable printing service for their print job and delivery time shows that one can be able to receive the postcard on time.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Picture in this post by Becky Phan on Unsplash

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