✓ Royal Mail Authorised Inspector since 2008 | Trading since 2005
Royal Mail Postage Rates
Current Royal Mail Postage Rates (2026 Edition)
Stay up to date with the latest Royal Mail stamp & Mailmark franking postage prices for letters, parcels, and special delivery services. Updated regularly by Mailcoms Ltd – your trusted UK franking machine experts.
Rates effective 7 April 2026 · Page last reviewed April 2026 · All standard Royal Mail retail postage is exempt from VAT.
Quick answer: 2026 Royal Mail stamp prices
As of 7 April 2026, a Royal Mail 1st Class stamp costs £1.80 (£1.77 with Mailmark franking) and a 2nd Class stamp costs 91p (88p with Mailmark franking) – a 3p saving per item for franking machine users. All standard Royal Mail retail postage is exempt from VAT.
Useful Royal Mail postage resources
Whether you’re sending letters or managing business mail, these resources make it easy to find the right Royal Mail postage rate and save on mailing costs.
Price List October 2026
Download our latest Royal Mail First Class & Second Class stamp & Mailmark rates.
Rate Change
Instructions to update your franking machine to the latest rates.
Franking Machines
Find the right franking solution for your business.
Franking Tips
Download our top franking tips and see if we can make your franking life simpler.
Royal Mail postage prices for letters & parcels
Compare the most current Royal Mail stamp postage prices and Royal Mail Mailmark franking postage prices for standard Letters, Large Letters, Small Parcels and Medium Parcels sent via Royal Mail 1st Class and 2nd Class services.
| Format | Weight up to & including | Stamps 1st Class | Mailmark Franking 1st Class | Stamps 2nd Class | Mailmark Franking 2nd Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 0–100g | £1.80 | £1.77 | 91p | 88p |
| Large Letter | 0–100g | £3.30 | £2.86 | £1.55 | £1.52 |
| Large Letter | 101–250g | £3.60 | £3.28 | £1.90 | £1.81 |
| Large Letter | 251–500g | £3.60 | £3.30 | £2.40 | £2.30 |
| Large Letter | 501–750g | £3.60 | £3.30 | £2.70 | £2.50 |
| Small Parcel | 0–2kg | £5.45 | £5.45 | £4.25 | £4.25 |
| Medium Parcel | 0–2kg | £8.05 | £8.05 | £6.95 | £6.95 |
| Medium Parcel | 2–10kg | £10.05 | £10.05 | £8.75 | £8.75 |
| Medium Parcel | 10–20kg | £15.45 | £15.45 | £13.15 | £13.15 |
Royal Mail Signed For® prices
Royal Mail Signed For postage prices for standard Letters, Large Letters, Small Parcels and Medium Parcels sent via 1st Class and 2nd Class Signed For services. All prices include compensation up to £50.
| Format | Weight up to & including | Stamps 1st Class | Mailmark Franking 1st Class | Stamps 2nd Class | Mailmark Franking 2nd Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter | 100g | £3.80 | £3.77 | £2.91 | £2.88 |
| Large Letter | 100g | £5.30 | £4.86 | £3.55 | £3.52 |
| Large Letter | 250g | £5.60 | £5.28 | £3.90 | £3.81 |
| Large Letter | 500g | £5.60 | £5.30 | £4.40 | £4.30 |
| Large Letter | 750g | £5.60 | £5.30 | £4.70 | £4.50 |
| Small Parcel | 0–2kg | £7.05 | £7.05 | £5.85 | £5.85 |
| Medium Parcel | 0–2kg | £9.65 | £9.65 | £8.55 | £8.55 |
| Medium Parcel | 2–10kg | £11.65 | £11.65 | £10.35 | £10.35 |
| Medium Parcel | 10–20kg | £17.05 | £17.05 | £14.75 | £14.75 |
Royal Mail Special Delivery services
Royal Mail Special Delivery guarantees delivery by 9am or 1pm the next working day, with optional Saturday delivery upgrades. These premium services are ideal for urgent or valuable items.
| Service | Compensation for loss or damage | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am® | £50 | From £53.95 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am® | £1,000 | From £60.95 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 9am® | £2,500 | From £68.95 |
| By 9am® with Saturday Guarantee | £50 | From £56.95 |
| By 9am® with Saturday Guarantee | £1,000 | From £63.95 |
| By 9am® with Saturday Guarantee | £2,500 | From £71.95 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm® | £750 | From £9.95 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm® | £1,000 | From £12.95 |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed by 1pm® | £2,500 | From £19.95 |
| By 1pm® with Saturday Guarantee | £750 | From £14.94 |
| By 1pm® with Saturday Guarantee | £1,000 | From £18.54 |
| By 1pm® with Saturday Guarantee | £2,500 | From £26.94 |
Royal Mail International services
Royal Mail offers a range of international delivery options depending on destination, tracking level, and delivery speed. Prices below show the “from” cost for letters and parcels to Europe and worldwide destinations for franking machine users.
| Service | Size | Price (from) |
|---|---|---|
| International Standard | Letters | From £3.60 |
| International Standard | Large Letters | From £3.80 |
| International Standard | Parcels | From £9.80 |
| International Economy | Letters | From £3.50 |
| International Economy | Large Letters | From £4.30 |
| International Economy | Parcels | From £14.75 |
| International Tracked | Large Letters | From £9.95 |
| International Tracked | Parcels | From £12.50 |
| International Tracked & Signed | Letters | From £8.60 |
| International Tracked & Signed | Large Letters | From £9.95 |
Other useful links & business services
Business Mail Advanced
Reduced postage costs for account customers – see pricing tiers, weight limits and minimum volumes. View Business Mail Advanced rates →
Parcelforce Worldwide
Royal Mail Group’s parcel courier service, offering Express 24 and Express 48 delivery across the UK. View Parcelforce rates →
Mail Management Services
Manage your mail with Royal Mail’s Keepsafe, PO Box and Redirection services. Keepsafe · PO Box · Redirection
Royal Mail postage rate FAQs
When did Royal Mail last change their postage rates?
Royal Mail last updated its postage prices on 7 April 2026. Mailcoms monitors all rate changes closely and updates this page as soon as new rates are published, and we email our customers, so you are always in the loop.
How much does a 1st Class stamp cost in 2026?
As of 7 April 2026, a Royal Mail 1st Class stamp costs £1.80 for stamp users and £1.77 for Mailmark franking users – a 3p saving for franking machine users.
How much does a 2nd Class stamp cost in 2026?
As of 7 April 2026, a Royal Mail 2nd Class stamp costs 91p for stamp users and 88p for Mailmark franking users – a 3p saving for franking machine users.
Do Royal Mail postage prices include VAT?
Most Royal Mail postage prices are VAT-exempt, so VAT is not added at checkout. However, courier and business services such as Parcelforce, Keepsafe and Redirection include VAT at the standard rate.
How can I save money on postage?
The easiest way to save is by using a franking machine to access the Mailmark franking service. Mailmark offers discounted postage compared with standard stamps, allowing hundreds of pounds to be saved each year.
What is the difference between 1st and 2nd Class post?
1st Class aims for delivery the next working day, while 2nd Class usually arrives within two to three working days. Both services can be upgraded with Signed For or Special Delivery tracking.
Can I send parcels internationally with Royal Mail?
Yes – Royal Mail provides several international options including International Standard, International Economy, International Tracked, International Signed, and International Tracked & Signed. Each offers different delivery speeds, tracking levels and insurance cover.
How does Royal Mail Signed For differ from Special Delivery?
Signed For provides proof of delivery and limited compensation, but is not fully tracked. Special Delivery is a fully tracked and guaranteed next-day service with compensation up to £2,500 depending on the option chosen.
What is Royal Mail Business Mail Advanced?
Business Mail Advanced is a contract mailing service that provides discounted rates for organisations sending high volumes of post. It is ideal for regular business correspondence, invoices or marketing mail.
What are Royal Mail's international delivery zones?
Royal Mail divides global destinations into Europe Zone 1, Europe Zone 2, Europe Zone 3, World Zone 1, World Zone 2, and World Zone 3 (USA). Each zone has its own pricing structure for letters, parcels and tracked items.