USPS Domestic Package Sizes and Dimensions

Understanding the specific package sizes and dimensions for USPS services will help you make more informed decisions about how to ship your products. This guide outlines the requirements of girth, packaging, and dimensions for domestic services. By looking at each section separately, you can more accurately measure your shipment and determine what the cost will be.

Fees and surcharges may apply to Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, and Ground Advantage shipments based on the package volume and dimensions.

Dimensional weight, also called DIM weight or volumetric weight, is a pricing method that uses an estimated weight calculated from the length, width, and height of a package divided by a specific divisor determined by the carrier. For certain carriers, like USPS, UPS, and FedEx, a shipment's billable shipping cost is calculated based on dimensional weight if that value is higher than the actual weight.

To ensure you are receiving accurate shipping quotes, we recommend that you always include a package's total weight and package dimensions.

Flat Rate packages are not affected.

If dimensions are not provided or if dimensions are inaccurate: A $1.50 fee will be added for packages that are greater than one cubic foot in volume or have a box length greater than 22 inches.

Enter Dimensions to Avoid Surcharges

When preparing a package for shipment, if the dimensions section is present, be sure to enter the size of your package to ensure an accurate rate and avoid post-shipping adjustments.

If packages have dimensions that exceed machinable sorting requirements, nonstandard sizing fees will apply as follows:

USPS Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express

  • If the longest side of a package is more than 22 inches but less than 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge will be applied

  • If the longest side of a package is greater than 30 inches, a $15.00 surcharge will be applied

  • If the volume of the package is greater than 2 cubic feet, a $30.00 surcharge will be applied*

  • Packages with missing or incorrect package dimensions that result in any dimensions-based fees, a $1.50 surcharge will be applied

USPS Ground Advantage

  • If the longest side of a package is more than 22 inches but less than 30 inches, a $4.00 surcharge will be applied*

  • If the longest side of a package is greater than 30 inches, a $8.40 surcharge will be applied*

  • If the volume of the package is greater than 2 cubic feet, a $18.00 surcharge will be applied*

  • Packages with missing or incorrect package dimensions that result in any dimensions-based fees, a $1.50 surcharge will be applied*

  • Does not apply to Media Mail.

Dimensions and Girth

Shipping dimensions are only used if you are sending a shipment in a custom box or envelope rather than in a carrier's flat-rate packaging. The shipment dimensions will affect the cost of the shipment, so accurate measurements are important.

Dimensional (cubic) pricing and dimensional (DIM) weight pricing are based on volume (length x width x height) rather than physical weight as the volume determines how much space the package takes up in the truck or airplane.

Length: The longest size of the package.

Width: The distance from one side to the other on the shortest part of the package.

Height: The distance from top to bottom of a standing package.

A shipping box is displayed with labels showing the length, width and height. Arrows around the box demonstrate girth.

"Machinable" packages mean they are able to be sorted by a machine. If your package is larger than the machine is able to sort, it will be bumped into the next class of letters or packages, which often costs more money.

Machinable - Oversized vs Minimum dimensions

Oversized Priority Mail packages may be subject to dimensional pricing even when below the maximum 108" dimension. 

Packages are also subject to minimum dimensions. No package may be smaller than 5" x 3.5" x 0.007". Machinable packages may not be smaller than 6" x 3" x 0.25".

Non-Machinable Surcharge Fee

Non-machinable packages may be subject to surcharge fees. Learn more about physical standards for parcels.

If you can answer “Yes” to any of the following questions, you may have a non-machinable package that will incur an additional fee.

  • Is the package a strange shape?

  • Does this package have improper postage or is the shipping address in a hard-to-see location?

  • Is the package in an odd container?

  • Can anything on my package get caught or tangled with other things?

Measuring Girth

When determining your package size, you may need to know the package's girth.

Girth: The width and height of a package doubled and added together.

A shipping box is displayed with arrows indicating the girth. The formula for girth is also shown: girth = (2 times width) plus (2 times height)

Carrier Packaging

Some domestic shipping supplies are offered for free through the USPS.

Click on the following options to order free boxes:

USPS Domestic - Standard Package Sizes and Dimensions

The following tables outline the maximum weights and dimensions for domestic package and envelope types offered through the USPS.

Domestic Package Size Chart

Package Type

Service

Max Weight

Max Dimensions

Package

Ground Advantage (formerly First-Class Package Service)

15.9 oz

22" x 18" x 15"

Ground Advantage (Parcel Select Ground)

70 lb

Length + Girth < 130"

Priority Mail

70 lb

Priority Mail Express

70 lb

Length + Girth < 108"

Flat Rate Small Box

Priority Mail

70 lb

8-5/8"(W) x 5-3/8"(L) x 1-5/8" (H)

Flat Rate Medium Box

Priority Mail

70 lb

(Top loading) Box 1= 11" (L) x 8-1/2"(W) x 5-1/2"(H)

(Side loading) Box 2= 11-7/8"(L) x 3-3/8"(W) x 13-5/8"(H)

Flat Rate Large Box

Priority Mail

70 lb

12-1/4" (L) x 12" (W) x 6" (H)

Domestic Envelope Size Chart

Envelope Type

Service

Max Weight

Max Dimensions

Flat Rate Envelope

Priority Mail

Priority Mail Express

70 lbs

12-1/2" x 9-1/2"

Flat Rate Padded Envelope

Priority Mail

Priority Mail Express

70 lbs

11-5/8” x 15”