How much does it cost to post a paperback book?
UK postage prices for a paperback book, compared across Royal Mail, Evri and InPost.
The cheapest way to post a paperback book is Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop for £2.62.
Based on a typical packed size of 24 × 17 × 3cm and weight of 350g (Royal Mail size: Small Parcel).
Check your exact size & weightAll options for a paperback book
| Service | Speed | Tracked | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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 |
| InPost Locker to locker - Large (C) Drop in any InPost locker 24/7 - no printer needed | Usually 1-3 working days (recipient collects) | Yes | £3.99 approx. |
| Evri Standard parcel Book online, drop at an Evri ParcelShop or locker | Usually 2-3 working days | Yes | £3.99 approx. |
| Royal Mail 2nd Class Small Parcel Post Office counter or stamps | Aims for 2-3 working days | No | £4.60 |
| Royal Mail Tracked 24 (bought online) Print label online, drop at Post Office, postbox or collection | Aims for next working day | Yes | £4.80 |
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 Tracked 48 (bought online) at £3.75, and the cheapest courier is Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop at £2.62 – so for a paperback book, a courier is cheaper by £1.13. 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 paperback book for posting
- Measure the book's spine. If it is under about 2cm thick, a book wrap mailer can keep it within the 2.5cm Large Letter limit.
- Use a cardboard book wrap rather than a padded envelope - it protects the corners much better.
- For thicker paperbacks, a snug box or wrap that keeps the parcel under 45 x 35 x 16cm keeps it a Small Parcel.
- Weigh the packed book - most paperbacks are 200-450g, well within any Small Parcel band.
Common mistake: A paperback that's 2.6cm thick once packed costs a Small Parcel price, not a Large Letter price - more than double. Check the thickness before buying postage.
Good to know
If you sell books regularly, compare tracked online services with couriers - books are dense, so couriers that price by weight band can be very good value up to 1-2kg.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 350g | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |
| 525g | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |
| 700g | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |