Have you ever encountered difficulty ordering envelopes because you weren’t sure which type to choose or whether your mail would fit inside? Whether you want to post a single letter or mail an item of clothing, our guide will help you decide which envelope you need.
We’ve broken down everything there is to know about envelope sizes and which ones you should always keep in stock.
Discover the right size envelope for you
The C6 envelope is our smallest envelope on this list, making it ideal for mailing small trinkets, USB sticks or memory cards without having to post a parcel.
DL-size envelopes are one of the most widely used options available. This envelope accommodates A4 paper folded into thirds lengthways and is usually recognised as the standard type businesses use when mailing out one to three-page letters. We’d recommend stocking up on DL envelopes if you regularly send mail.
The same size as A5 paper, the C5 envelope is another popular choice as it’s made to fit an A4 piece of paper folded in half lengthways. This type of envelope is more suitable than the DL if you’re posting slightly longer letters, as folding sheets of paper into halves rather than thirds provides room for more pages. You could also use a C5 to hold a small journal, slightly larger greeting cards or even printed photos.
A B4 envelope could be perfect for you if you regularly send larger documents. Big enough to accommodate A4 paper, it’s also available with added depth. This means you can mail thick documents, contracts or small boxes as a cheaper alternative to a parcel.
A C4 envelope is designed to accommodate a full page of A4 paper. Great for small printed documents, certificates and magazines, this is a very common type of envelope. We’d recommend keeping a stock of these close to hand in the office, for documents that you can’t fold into a DL.
Made to fit A3 paper, a C3 envelope is the biggest envelope you’ll need before moving on to a parcel or postal tube. Usually used for posters that you don’t want to bend or flatten out clothing, we’d recommend purchasing this in a thicker paper or card to avoid damaging your mail.
Use our envelope size guide to discover the measurements you need to know and to identify the right envelope for your needs.
