How much does it cost to post a birthday card?
UK postage prices for a birthday card, compared across Royal Mail, Evri and InPost.
The cheapest way to post a birthday card is Royal Mail 2nd Class Letter for £0.91.
Based on a typical packed size of 16.5 × 12 × 0.4cm and weight of 30g (Royal Mail size: Letter).
Check your exact size & weightAll options for a birthday card
| Service | Speed | Tracked | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail 2nd Class Letter Stamp + postbox | Aims for 2-3 working days | No | £0.91 |
| Royal Mail 2nd Class Large Letter Stamps + postbox | Aims for 2-3 working days | No | £1.55 |
| Royal Mail 1st Class Letter Stamp + postbox | Aims for next working day | No | £1.80 |
| Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop Drop at a ParcelShop; recipient collects from their chosen shop | Usually 2-4 working days (recipient collects) | Yes | £2.62 |
| Evri Postable (letterbox) parcel Book online, drop at an Evri ParcelShop or locker | Usually 2-3 working days | Yes | £2.70 |
| InPost Locker to locker - Small (A) Drop in any InPost locker 24/7 - no printer needed | Usually 1-3 working days (recipient collects) | Yes | £2.99 approx. |
| Evri Small parcel Book online, drop at an Evri ParcelShop or locker | Usually 2-3 working days | Yes | £3.04 |
| Royal Mail 1st Class Large Letter Stamps + postbox | Aims for next working day | No | £3.30 |
| InPost Locker to locker - Medium (B) Drop in any InPost locker 24/7 - no printer needed | Usually 1-3 working days (recipient collects) | Yes | £3.49 approx. |
| Royal Mail Tracked 48 (bought online) Print label online, drop at Post Office, postbox or collection | Aims for 2-3 working days | Yes | £3.75 |
Prices from 5 October 2026, last checked 1 October 2026. Prices marked approx. are our best estimate – confirm with the carrier before paying.
Royal Mail or a courier?
The cheapest Royal Mail option is 2nd Class Letter at £0.91, and the cheapest courier is Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop at £2.62 – so for a birthday card, Royal Mail is cheaper by £1.71. Royal Mail delivers to the door and you can hand it in at any Post Office; courier drop-off services are often cheaper but may need the recipient to collect from a shop or locker.
How to pack a birthday card for posting
- Put the card in an envelope that fits it snugly - loose cards slide around and corners get bent.
- If it has a badge, a button or anything 3D, press it flat and check it is still under 5mm thick.
- Write the postcode clearly on its own line and add your address on the back so it can come back to you.
- Stick the stamp in the top right corner, where the sorting machines look for it.
Common mistake: Money tucked inside a birthday card isn't covered if it goes missing. Send a gift card or a bank transfer instead, and never write 'cash' or 'money' on the envelope.
Good to know
If you post a lot of cards, a book of 2nd Class stamps is the cheapest way to do it. Stamps marked '2nd' with no price never expire, so you can buy them before a price rise and use them for years.
What if yours is heavier?
Weight changes the price, so here is the cheapest option at the same size but heavier weights.
| Packed weight | Cheapest | Service |
|---|---|---|
| 30g | £0.91 | Royal Mail 2nd Class Letter |
| 45g | £0.91 | Royal Mail 2nd Class Letter |
| 60g | £0.91 | Royal Mail 2nd Class Letter |