Whats the difference between usps first class and priority mail

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What qualifies as USPS priority mail?
How fast is USPS first class shipping?
Is Priority mail just regular mail?
Is first class mail faster than standard?

USPS® express and standard mail services allow you to choose delivery options that fit your needs. Find the fastest shipping service or most affordable shipping price depending on what items you’re sending and when you want them delivered.

Compare USPS Mail Services to quickly see which option is best for your shipment.

ALERT: As a result of the ongoing COVID-19 emergency, certain packages may take longer than usual to arrive. Priority Mail Express next-day service is unaffected. Learn More

Our fastest domestic shipping service, Priority Mail Express® delivers 7 days a week, 365 days a year (with limited exceptions). Next-day delivery is available to most U.S. addresses and PO Boxes™2 with a money-back guarantee1. With our free Flat Rate Envelopes, you don’t need to weigh shipments 70 lbs and under. Purchase Priority Mail Express postage and shipping labels at a Post Office™ location or online. Prices start at $27.25.

Ship Online with Priority Mail Express . Learn More about Priority Mail Express

Priority Mail® is our bestselling mail service. Domestic deliveries arrive in 1-3 business days3 depending on where your package starts and where it’s going. Tracking and insurance are included, shipping boxes and envelopes are free, and with Priority Mail Flat Rate®, you don't need to weigh shipments 70 lbs and under. Purchase Priority Mail postage and shipping labels at a Post Office or online. Prices start at $9.00.

Ship Online with Priority Mail. Learn More about Priority Mail

Media Mail® is a cost-effective way to send media and educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. Prices start at $3.49 at a Post Office.

Here's what you can send:

Books (at least 8 pages)
16-millimeter or narrower width films
Printed music and test materials
Video and sound recordings
Playscripts and manuscripts
Printed educational reference charts
Medical loose-leaf pages and binders
Computer-readable media

NOTE: Video games, computer drives, and digital drives do not qualify for Media Mail prices.

Maximum weight is 70 lbs.

Media Mail Eligibility Standards
View Price Files

USPS Retail Ground® is a reliable and economical way to ship5 less-than-urgent deliveries and oversized packages. Prices start at $8.80 at a Post Office.

Includes USPS Tracking®
Good for packages too large for Priority Mail Express and Priority Mail delivery
Only available at USPS Post Offices

NOTE: Department of Defense employees overseas may send packages to the U.S. using Retail Ground through Click-N-Ship®. Sending Military & Diplomatic Mail

Pay for your package based on how much it weighs and how far it’s going (the zone).
You’ll need to measure your package to make sure it meets the size standards.
Maximum weight is 70 lbs and maximum combined length and girth is 130 inches. Tips for Measuring Packages
Additional Fees:
- Dimensional (DIM) weight rates apply to large, lightweight packages. If your package is larger than 1 cubic foot (1,728 cubic inches):
  1. Multiply Length x Width x Height and divide by 166 to get the DIM weight in pounds.
  2. If the DIM weight is greater than the actual package weight, you’ll need to pay the DIM weight price.
- If you give inaccurate dimensions and/or don’t pay the DIM weight rate (when it applies), you’ll pay a dimension-noncompliance fee.
- Nonstandard Fee: You’ll pay an extra fee for sending a nonstandard size if your package measures:
  - Between 22 and 30 inches long: add $4.00
  - More than 30 inches long: add $15.00
  - More than 2 cubic feet (3,456 cubic inches): add $15.00

TIP: Use the USPS® Price Calculator tool to calculate your domestic postage costs. You'll need to know your package’s weight, shape, and size measurements.

Calculate a Price More Retail Ground Details Physical Standards for Retail Ground View Price Files How to Send a Package: Domestic

Compare USPS mail services by Starting Price (retail and commercial), Ship Time, and more. Most services automatically include USPS Tracking, and you can purchase additional insurance and extra services.

Expand All

Service	Starting Price	Ship Time	Pricing Options	Where to Pay Postage	Insurance	Other Services
Priority Mail Express®	$27.25 (at Post Office & Online) $23.75 (Commercial)6	Next-day to 2-day guarantee by 6 PM7	Flat Rate Variable Price	At Post Office & Online	$100 included8	Included: USPS Tracking Available: Signature Confirmation™9, Return Receipt10, Collect on Delivery
Priority Mail®	$9.00 (at Post Office & Online) $7.62 (Commercial)6	1-3 days11	Flat Rate Variable Price Regional Rate Prepaid	At Post Office & Online	$100 included12	Included: USPS Tracking Available: Signature Confirmation, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery
First-Class Mail®	$0.60 (at Post Office & Online) $0.455 (Commercial)6	1-5 days	Variable Price	At Post Office	Available	Available: Return Receipt13, Collect on Delivery
First-Class Package Service®	$4.80 (at Post Office) $3.62 (Commercial6)	2-5 days	Variable Price	At Post Office (& Online with Click-N-Ship® business account)	Available	Included: USPS Tracking Available: Signature Confirmation, Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery
USPS Retail Ground®	$8.80 (at Post Office)	2-5 days	Variable Price	At Post Office	Available	Included: USPS Tracking (packages only) Available: Signature Confirmation (packages only), Return Receipt, Collect on Delivery
Media Mail®	$3.49 (at Post Office) $2.17 (Commercial)6	2-8 days	Variable Price	At Post Office	Available	Included: USPS Tracking (packages only) Available: Signature Confirmation (parcels only), Return Receipt14, Collect on Delivery

1. Exceptions apply. For details, visit the Domestic Mail Manual. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 1
2. Scheduled delivery date depends on origin, destination, and drop-off time. Some restrictions apply. For additional information, visit the Price Calculator. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 2
3. In most cases, the expected delivery date printed on your receipt or provided at checkout will reflect a delivery time of 1, 2, or 3 business days and is based on origin, destination, and drop-off time. The expected delivery date does not come with a money-back guarantee. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 3
4. The timeliness of service to or from destinations outside the contiguous U.S. may be affected by the limited availability of transportation. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 4
5. Available for Zones 5-9, up to 70 lbs. Prices in Zones 1-4, up to 70 lbs, are only for the mailing of hazardous materials, live animals, or other items required to be shipped by ground/surface transportation. Oversized USPS Retail Ground available for Zones 1-9, up to 70 lbs, when measuring over 108 inches but not more than 130 inches in combined length and girth. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 5
6. Commercial pricing available for businesses that qualify. Browse service prices and eligibility. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 6
7. For many major markets. Average number of days based on origin and destination. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 7
8. Available only for certain products and to certain destinations. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Insurance does not cover certain items. For details, visit 609.4.3 (Non-payable Claims), 609 (Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage), and 503.4 (Insured Mail) of the Domestic Mail Manual available at http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/dmm300_landing.htm. Priority Mail Express shipments must have an applicable USPS barcode to qualify for the included insurance. For shipments valued at more than $100, additional insurance may be available for purchase. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 8
9. Priority Mail Express service comes with a signature option. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 9
10. PS Form 3811 by mail only. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 10
11. In most cases, the expected delivery date printed on your receipt or provided at checkout will reflect a delivery time of 1, 2, or 3 business days and is based on origin, destination, and drop-off time. The expected delivery date does not come with a money-back guarantee. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 11
12. Available only for certain products and to certain destinations. Restrictions and exclusions apply. Insurance does not cover certain items. For details, visit 609.4.3 (Non-payable Claims), 609 (Filing Indemnity Claims for Loss or Damage), 503.1 (Basic Standards for Extra Services), and 503.4 (Insured Mail) of the Domestic Mail Manual available at http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/dmm300_landing.htm. To qualify for included insurance, Priority Mail domestic shipments must have the applicable Intelligent Mail® package barcode (IMpb). Insurance is not included when Priority Mail service is combined with certain extra services, such as additional insurance, or when a shipment is sent using Priority Mail Open and Distribute®, Premium Forwarding Service Residential® or Premium Forwarding Service Commercial® For shipments valued at more than $100, additional insurance may be available for purchase. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 12
13. When purchased at the time of mailing with Certified Mail®, COD, Insurance (for more than $200) or Registered Mail. Restrictions apply. Back ^ to legal disclaimer 13
14. When purchased at the time of mailing with COD or Insurance (for more than $200). Back ^ to legal disclaimer 14

What qualifies as USPS priority mail?

Priority Mail items are First-Class Mail items weighing more than 13 ounces and, at the mailer's option, any other material (including First-Class Mail items) weighing 13 ounces or less. The weight limit for Priority Mail items is 70 lbs.

How fast is USPS first class shipping?

Mail in 1–5 Business Days; Small Packages in 2–5 Business Days. First-Class Mail^® is an affordable mail service for standard-sized, single-piece envelopes weighing up to 3.5 oz and large envelopes and small packages weighing up to 13 oz. Prices start at $0.60 at a Post Office.

Is Priority mail just regular mail?

Once your Priority Mail is processed, it will be delivered just like all other mail is. It can be either put into your P.O. Box or delivered by the mail carrier. Priority Mail often travels on the same transportation network as USPS Priority Mail Express service items.

Is first class mail faster than standard?

First Class mail is delivered faster by the USPS than Bulk or Standard mail. First Class mail is generally delivered in 1-3 days locally and 3-5 days nationally by the USPS. First Class mail is also more expensive than Bulk Rate mail.