How much does it cost to post a hardback book?
UK postage prices for a hardback book, compared across Royal Mail, Evri and InPost.
The cheapest way to post a hardback book is Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop for £2.62.
Based on a typical packed size of 28 × 22 × 5cm and weight of 900g (Royal Mail size: Small Parcel).
Check your exact size & weightAll options for a hardback 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 |
| 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 |
| Royal Mail 1st Class Small Parcel Post Office counter or stamps | Aims for next working day | No | £5.90 |
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 hardback 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 hardback book for posting
- Wrap the book in a sheet of bubble wrap or paper first to protect the dust jacket.
- Use a cardboard book mailer or a box with a little padding on every side.
- Make sure the book can't move around inside - corners are what get damaged.
- Seal all edges with parcel tape, not sticky tape.
Common mistake: Posting a hardback in a padded envelope saves a few pence on packaging but often leads to bumped corners and unhappy buyers. A book mailer costs very little more.
Good to know
Collectable or signed books should go by a tracked service with enough cover for their value - standard compensation is limited.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 900g | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |
| 1.35kg | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |
| 1.8kg | £2.62 | Evri ParcelShop to ParcelShop |