EDDM postcard sizes: what qualifies in 2026
USPS size rules checked October 2026.
An EDDM postcard must be a “flat”. That means it is taller than 6.125 inches, or longer than 10.5 inches, or thicker than 0.25 inches. It can be up to 12 inches tall, 15 inches long, and 0.75 inches thick, and EDDM Retail pieces can weigh up to 3.3 ounces. The smallest common size that qualifies is 6.25 x 9. A 4 x 6, 5 x 7, or 6 x 9 card does not.
EDDM postcard size requirements
| Rule | Limit |
|---|---|
| Must pass at least one | Taller than 6.125 in, or longer than 10.5 in, or thicker than 0.25 in |
| Largest size | 15 in long, 12 in tall, 0.75 in thick |
| Thinnest | At least 0.007 in (card stock, not copy paper) |
| Weight (EDDM Retail) | Up to 3.3 oz |
| Shape | Rectangle |
Sizes that do not qualify
- 4 x 6. A standard postcard. Too small on every side.
- 5 x 7. Also too small.
- 6 x 9. The common trap. It is 6 inches tall, which is under 6.125, and 9 inches long, which is under 10.5. It fails by a hair.
That is why 6.25 x 9 exists. The extra quarter inch makes it a flat.
EDDM sizes we print
All six are flats. The file size includes 0.125 inch of bleed on each side. Prices are the add-on per home compared to a 6.25 x 9 card.
| Finished size | File size with bleed | Best for | Add per home |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.25 x 9 | 6.5 x 9.25 | Most mailings. Lowest price. | Base price |
| 8.5 x 7 | 8.75 x 7.25 | A bit more room at almost the same price | +$0.01 |
| 8.5 x 11 | 8.75 x 11.25 | Real estate, menus, and long offers | +$0.12 |
| 8.5 x 12 | 8.75 x 12.25 | Big photos and before-and-after shots | +$0.15 |
| 9 x 12 | 9.25 x 12.25 | Jumbo postcards that stand out in the mailbox | +$0.17 |
| 8.5 x 14 | 8.75 x 14.25 | The largest. Events, grand openings, campaigns | +$0.20 |
See the full price for your routes on plans and pricing.
Which size should I pick?
- Lowest cost per home: 6.25 x 9. Best for your first mailing and for testing an offer.
- More to say: 8.5 x 11. Room for a menu, a listing, or a list of services.
- Stand out: 9 x 12 or 8.5 x 14. Jumbo postcards sit on top of the pile.
- Test it: mail half your routes in each size and compare calls. Our tracking shows calls and QR scans per mailing.
How to set up your file
- Bleed: stretch the background 0.125 inch past every edge.
- Safe zone: keep text, logos, and phone numbers 0.25 inch inside the cut.
- Mailing panel: keep a 4.5 x 2.75 inch area in the top right of the back white. We print the EDDM indicia and “LOCAL POSTAL CUSTOMER” there for you.
- Resolution: 300 pixels per inch for photos.
Have a design? Check your file free. It tests size, bleed, sharpness, and the mailing panel in seconds.
Quick answers
What is the smallest EDDM postcard size?
6.25 x 9 is the smallest common size. It qualifies because it is taller than 6.125 inches.
Can I mail a 6 x 9 postcard with EDDM?
No. It is under both the height and the length limits for a flat.
What is the largest EDDM size?
Up to 12 x 15 inches. We print up to 8.5 x 14.
Does a bigger card cost more postage?
No. EDDM Retail postage is the same $0.26 a piece for any flat up to 3.3 ounces. Only printing costs more.