Are you thinking about starting an Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign? Before you hit print, it's important to understand the size requirements to make sure your mail gets to the right people without any issues or delays. That's why in this guide, you'll find everything you n
Summary
- A mailpiece qualifies for EDDM as a flat if it exceeds any one of three thresholds: 11.5 inches long, 6.125 inches high, or 0.25 inches thick.
- Maximum dimensions are 15 by 12 by 0.75 inches, and EDDM Retail caps each piece at 3.3 ounces.
- The sizes most businesses use are 6.5 by 9 inches and 6.25 by 9 inches, both of which qualify on height rather than length.
- A 6 by 9 inch postcard does not qualify, and neither does 5 by 7 or 4 by 6.
- Every EDDM Retail piece also needs the approved Retail indicia in the upper right of the address side, plus a simplified address line such as Postal Customer.
- EDDM Retail postage is $0.260 per piece on the USPS price list effective July 12, 2026.
Last updated: September 2026
Are you thinking about starting an Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) campaign? Before you hit print, it's important to understand the size requirements to make sure your mail gets to the right people without any issues or delays.
That's why in this guide, you'll find the key EDDM size specifications, including:
- What Every Door Direct Mail is and how it can benefit your business.
- The sizes you can use for your EDDM mailpieces, from standard postcards to larger formats.
- USPS rules on shape, thickness, weight, and mailing details.
- Tips on how to design your mail to grab attention and get better responses.
Discover how to create an EDDM mail piece that meets USPS guidelines and gets real results for your business. For the full rule set beyond sizing, including permits, bundling, and drop-off, see our guide to USPS EDDM requirements.
USPS EDDM sizes: A detailed breakdown
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific size requirements for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) to make sure your mail gets delivered correctly. Choosing the right size can affect your printing costs, how well people see your mail, and how effective your campaign will be.
Popular EDDM postcard sizes
Here are some common postcard sizes for EDDM. Each one clears at least one of the three USPS flat-size thresholds:
- Bestseller: 6.5″ × 9″, clears the height threshold
- Standard: 6.25″ × 9″, clears the height threshold
- Tri-fold: 4.25″ × 14″, clears the length threshold
- Medium: 6″ × 12″, clears the length threshold
- Jumbo: 8.5″ × 11″, clears the height threshold
- Oversized: 12″ × 15″, at the maximum on both axes
Choosing the right EDDM size
The most popular sizes for EDDM campaigns are the 6.5″ × 9″ and 6.25″ × 9″. Both clear the 6.125 inch height threshold, so they qualify as flats even though they are under 11.5 inches long. These formats are cost-effective and help businesses save money while still meeting USPS requirements.
Medium to large postcards
If you want to include more details or visuals, consider these sizes:
- 6″ × 12″
- 4.25″ × 14″
Watch the near misses here. A 6″ × 10.5″ or 6″ × 11″ piece clears none of the three thresholds: it is under 11.5 inches long and under 6.125 inches high. Adding half an inch of height, or an inch and a half of length, is the difference between a qualifying flat and a rejected mailing.
These larger postcards give you more space to work with and are perfect for local advertising. They are more visible and can stick around longer, but keep in mind they do cost more to print.
Jumbo and oversized postcards
The largest sizes offer a lot of space but are often folded or bundled with other mail:
- 8.5″ × 11″
- 12″ × 15″
While these oversized postcards are sure to stand out, they might not be the best choice for every budget. Make sure to consider the higher printing costs and how they will be handled.
By picking the right EDDM postcard size, you can reach more people, save money, and make your marketing efforts more effective.
Why EDDM sizes matter
With Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM), the size of your mailpiece affects your costs and postage rates. Larger pieces usually grab more attention, making them better for marketing. If you're building a budget around a format, our guide to direct mail cost in the US breaks down postage, printing, and list costs line by line.
Small business owners should think carefully about the size of their EDDM mailers to improve their advertising efforts. It's also important to make sure your mailpiece meets the EDDM standards to avoid problems with delivery and postage.
Other EDDM postcard requirements
To ensure your EDDM postcards meet USPS standards, there are a few key requirements you'll need to follow. From sizing to layout and labeling, getting these details right will help you avoid delays and ensure successful delivery.
Minimum and maximum dimensions accepted by the USPS
It's important to follow USPS rules for EDDM mailpieces that target customers in a specific area. You need to know the minimum and maximum size limits to get your mail delivered correctly. Using square corners on your mailpieces also helps you stay compliant with the rules.
Here are the full USPS size and weight requirements for EDDM mailpieces, current as of the USPS price list effective July 12, 2026:
| Dimension | USPS minimum | Flat-size threshold (clear any one) | Maximum |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 5 inches | more than 11.5 inches | 15 inches |
| Height | 3.5 inches | more than 6.125 inches | 12 inches |
| Thickness | 0.007 inches | more than 0.25 inches | 0.75 inches |
| Weight (EDDM Retail) | n/a | n/a | 3.3 oz |
Read that middle column carefully. Your mailpiece must meet at least one of the following thresholds to qualify as a flat, meaning it only needs to clear one bar, not all three:
- Length greater than 11.5 inches,
- Height greater than 6.125 inches, OR
- Thickness greater than 0.25 inches
Most popular EDDM postcard sizes, like the 6.25″ × 9″, qualify by clearing the height threshold. Understanding which threshold your piece meets helps you design confidently and avoid USPS rejection.
Mailer formats and restrictions
The USPS has clear size and shape requirements for EDDM mailpieces. The format you choose affects your postage rates and whether your mail gets delivered. It's important to know these formats to comply with USPS standards and ensure smooth processing.
For your mailpieces, make sure they are either rectangular or square shaped. This means they should have either four square corners or rounded corners that are not more than 0.125 inches. Triangular or circular shapes are not accepted by the USPS. Following these guidelines will help your mailing campaigns run more smoothly.
Thickness of mailpieces
The USPS has specific thickness requirements for EDDM mailpieces. Following these guidelines helps with mail processing and delivery.
- Thickness threshold: More than 0.25 inches. This is one of the three ways to qualify as a flat, not a hard minimum. A thinner piece is fine as long as it clears the length or height threshold instead.
- Maximum thickness: Must not be more than 0.75 inches. This one is a hard limit.
Sticking to these thickness standards is important for keeping your mail safe during transit. It also affects how you design and print your mailpieces. By meeting these thickness requirements, you'll help ensure smooth processing and delivery, which are key for successful direct mail marketing.
Printing and paper thickness
The thickness of your mailpieces depends on a few things. This includes the type of paper you choose, any extras like coupons, and design choices like folded or multi-layered pieces. To qualify as EDDM, your mailpiece must be flat.
The USPS will not accept items that aren't flat. Also, avoid attaching any cards, as this could lead to the need for reprinting. Extra attachments can get stuck in USPS machines and cause problems.
Knowing these factors is important for making mailpieces that follow USPS rules. By keeping these points in mind, you can ensure your mailpieces meet the thickness standards for successful mailing campaigns.
EDDM Retail indicia requirements
Every EDDM Retail mailpiece must carry the approved EDDM Retail indicia, the postage mark that replaces a traditional stamp. This is not an indicia you design yourself: USPS states that mailing permit imprints are not accepted for EDDM Retail at the Post Office counter. Here's what to know:
- Placement: Upper right of the address side, above and to the right of the address block.
- Format: The approved Retail indicia, used as supplied. A permit imprint will be turned away at retail.
- Address line: A simplified address, with no individual name or street needed. “Postal Customer” is the usual choice. USPS also permits “Residential Customer”, “Business Customer”, and “PO Boxholder”, and nothing outside that list.
Most professional printers that specialize in EDDM supply indicia-ready templates. If you're designing in the Oppizi Ads flyer builder, compliant formats are built in so you don't have to think twice about placement.
Create stunning EDDM postcards with Oppizi
The Oppizi Ads flyer builder lets you design USPS-compliant Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) postcards in minutes. It offers built-in formats that follow USPS EDDM rules, so you save time and know your postcards meet postal guidelines before they reach the printer.
Customizable design options
With the Oppizi Ads flyer builder, you can add all sorts of design elements like text, images, shapes, QR codes, and more. This lets you create postcards designed to stand out in the mailbox.
User-friendly features
The easy-to-use interface of the Oppizi Ads flyer builder helps businesses make USPS-compliant postcards quickly. Whether you're promoting a new product, advertising a special event, or starting a marketing campaign, this tool makes it simple to reach your goals.
Use the Oppizi Ads flyer builder to design EDDM postcards that meet USPS specs the first time.
Conclusion
Understanding the size requirements for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) is key to a successful mailing campaign. The shape, thickness, and weight of your mailpiece are all important for following USPS guidelines. When you stick to these rules, your mail is more likely to reach the right people without delays.
Using EDDM for advertising can increase your local reach at a fraction of addressed mail costs. It helps you target specific areas and reach more people, making it a cost-effective option for promoting your business.
Want more people to notice your brand? Launch an Oppizi campaign in minutes and put your message directly into their hands. Try it today.
Frequently asked questions
- What are standard EDDM sizes?
Standard sizes for Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) include: Bestseller 6.5″ × 9″, Standard 6.25″ × 9″, Tri-fold 4.25″ × 14″, Medium 6″ × 12″, Jumbo 8.5″ × 11″, and Oversized 12″ × 15″. Each one clears at least one of the three USPS flat-size thresholds.
- Can EDDM be 6x9?
No. A true 6″ × 9″ postcard doesn't qualify for EDDM. It's under 11.5 inches long, under 6.125 inches high, and under 0.25 inches thick, so it clears none of the three flat-size thresholds. Go up to 6.5″ × 9″ instead: that extra half inch of height clears the bar.
- Can a 5x7 be EDDM?
No, a 5″ × 7″ postcard doesn't qualify for EDDM, and neither does the classic 4″ × 6″. Both are too small to clear any flat-size threshold. To qualify, your mailpiece has to exceed at least one of these: 11.5 inches in length, 6.125 inches in height, or 0.25 inches in thickness.
- What is the largest EDDM?
The largest EDDM mailpiece is 12″ × 15″, which sits at the USPS maximum on both axes. It's the most visible format and the most expensive to print, so it's worth reserving for offers that can carry the cost. EDDM Retail also caps every piece at 3.3 ounces.
- What if my EDDM design does not meet the size requirements?
USPS will reject it, which means a delayed mailing and, usually, a reprint. The most common causes are pieces that are too small, too thin, or not flat. Check your dimensions before the file goes to the printer, or design in a tool where EDDM-compliant formats are already loaded.
- How much does EDDM postage cost in 2026?
EDDM Retail postage is $0.260 per piece on the USPS price list effective July 12, 2026, and every piece has to weigh 3.3 ounces or less. Printing and distribution sit on top of that. Our US direct mail cost guide breaks down the rest.
