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Question

How big or small can a letter be?

  • You have a large or heavy document that you need to send but are unsure if it qualifies as a letter.
  • You have a very small item to send, but need to know if there are minimum size requirements for a letter.

Answer

To qualify as a letter, your item must meet the requirements below:

Category Length Width Thickness Aspect
Ratio* 		Weight

Standard

Cards and postcards

max.

235mm

120mm

5mm

2.6:1

Should be of sufficient grammage to provide the stiffness necessary for the card or postcard to withstand processing without difficulty.

min.

140mm

90mm

0.18mm

1.3:1

Standard Lettermail other than cards and postcards (e.g. envelopes and self-mailers)

max.

245mm

156mm

5mm

2.6:1

50g

min.

140mm

90mm

0.18mm

1.3:1

3g **

Medium

Envelopes, cards and self-mailers

max.

235mm

165mm

5mm

N/A

50g

min.

140mm

90mm

0.18mm

N/A

3g **

Other Lettermail (e.g. envelopes, cards and self-mailers)

Non-standard

max.

380mm

270mm

20mm

N/A

500g

min.

140 mm

90 mm

0.18mm

3g **

Oversize

max.

380mm

270mm

20mm

N/A

500g

min.

140 mm

90 mm

0.18 mm

5g **

* Aspect ratio is the relationship between the length and the width.

**Recommended by Canada Post.

Have you tried...

  • If your item exceeds the above dimensions, it may qualify as a parcel.
  • Compare parcel services and calculate costs using Find a Rate

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NOTES:

  1. A self-mailer is an article other than a card, postcard, magazine or catalogue that does not have an outer cover, wrapping or envelope in addition to the paper or material on which the communication is written.
  2. Standard items that exceed any one of the maximum dimensions become a Medium or an Oversize item. All standard items must be rectangular in shape.
  3. Any item that exceeds the maximum size or weight of Oversize Lettermail no longer qualifies as Lettermail and may qualify for one of the Parcel Services.