4×6 postcards vs 5×7 postcards
Updated 2026-05-31 · 4 min read
4×6 and 5×7 are the two standard postcard sizes in US print, and they're priced by USPS as different categories. Picking between them is a postage decision before it's a design decision. The visual difference is real but secondary — the postage tier crosses a real-money line at 4×6.
Spec by spec
| Spec | 4×6 postcards | 5×7 postcards |
|---|---|---|
| Trim size | 4 × 6 inches | 5 × 7 inches |
| Upload with bleed | 4.25 × 6.25 in | 5.25 × 7.25 in |
| USPS pricing tier | Postcard rate (lowest) | Letter rate (step up) |
| Form-factor association | Photo print, glance-reads as postcard | Invitation, reads as 'keepable' |
| Best for | Direct mail at volume, EDDM equivalents, fast promos | Invitations, save-the-dates, premium B2B follow-ups |
| Print + postage roughly | Baseline | Print: slight upcharge. Postage: meaningful per-piece increase. |
Verdict
Pick 4×6 when this is a direct-mail campaign, volume is over a few thousand pieces, and you want the lowest USPS rate. The size is familiar — same as a photo print — and reads as "postcard" at a glance.
Pick 5×7 when the card is invitation-grade — save-the-dates, event announcements, premium B2B follow-ups — and the recipient is expected to keep it on a fridge or pinboard. The size signals "kept", not "mailed".
Featured products
4×6 postcards
5×7 postcards