German letter sizes: Deutsche Post limits and prices
Deutsche Post sorts letters into four types by size, thickness and weight. A Standardbrief may measure up to 235 × 125 mm, be 5 mm thick and weigh 20 g, and costs €0.95 in 2026. Changes to the Großbrief and Maxibrief have been announced for 1 January 2027.
Contents of this page
Letter types in 2026
| Product | Length | Width | Thickness | Weight | Price 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Postkarte (postcard) | 140 to 235 mm | 90 to 125 mm | €0.95 | ||
| Standardbrief | 140 to 235 mm | 90 to 125 mm | up to 5 mm | up to 20 g | €0.95 |
| Kompaktbrief | 100 to 235 mm | 70 to 125 mm | up to 10 mm | up to 50 g | €1.10 |
| Großbrief | 100 to 353 mm | 70 to 250 mm | up to 20 mm | up to 500 g | €1.80 |
| Maxibrief | 100 to 353 mm | 70 to 250 mm | up to 50 mm | up to 1000 g | €2.90 |
These prices are for domestic post within Germany and were approved by the Federal Network Agency until 31 December 2026. The figures on deutschepost.de are always the binding ones. We update this page as soon as new prices are confirmed.
Which envelope makes which letter type?
| Envelope | Size | Letter type at a suitable weight |
|---|---|---|
| C6 | 114 × 162 mm | Standardbrief or Kompaktbrief |
| DL | 110 × 220 mm | Standardbrief or Kompaktbrief |
| C6/5 | 114 × 229 mm | Standardbrief or Kompaktbrief |
| C5 | 162 × 229 mm | Großbrief (too wide for a Standardbrief) |
| C4 | 229 × 324 mm | Großbrief or Maxibrief |
| B4 | 250 × 353 mm | Großbrief or Maxibrief (exactly at the maximum) |
The most common mistake involves C5. Many people assume it is a standard letter because it is half the size of C4. At 162 mm, though, it is 37 mm too wide for a Standardbrief. To save postage, fold A4 in three and use a DL envelope.
How many sheets fit in a Standardbrief?
An A4 sheet of 80 g/m² copy paper weighs 4.99 g. A DL envelope weighs about 4 to 6 g, depending on its paper. That gives you:
- 2 sheets plus envelope: about 15 g, safely a Standardbrief.
- 3 sheets plus envelope: about 19 to 21 g, right at the limit. Weigh it to be sure.
- 4 to 8 sheets: Kompaktbrief up to 50 g, as long as the envelope stays under 10 mm thick.
With 100 g/m² paper, three sheets are already too heavy. The paper weight calculator shows the right letter type for any combination.
Announced for 2027
Deutsche Post has announced new limits for the Großbrief and Maxibrief from 1 January 2027. As of October 2026, these changes are known:
- Großbrief: up to 1000 g instead of 500 g, and up to 30 mm thick instead of 20 mm.
- Maxibrief: up to 2000 g instead of 1000 g, but only up to 30 mm thick instead of 50 mm. Length and width grow slightly.
- Maxibrief Plus will be discontinued.
- Standardbrief and Kompaktbrief stay the same.
The reason is the sorting equipment: items up to 3 cm thick run through the machines, thicker ones have to be sorted by hand. Prices for 2027 still need approval from the Federal Network Agency. If you are buying flat boxes for Maxibrief shipping now, keep the new 3 cm height in mind.
How Royal Mail and USPS compare
If you send post from the UK or the US, the size bands are different. A C5 envelope, for example, is a Großbrief in Germany but an ordinary Letter with Royal Mail.
| Service | Maximum size | Thickness | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Royal Mail Letter | 240 × 165 mm | 5 mm | 100 g |
| Royal Mail Large Letter | 353 × 250 mm | 25 mm | 750 g |
| USPS Letter | 11.5 × 6.125 in (292 × 156 mm) | 0.25 in (6 mm) | 3.5 oz for a stamped letter |
| USPS Flat (large envelope) | 15 × 12 in (381 × 305 mm) | 0.75 in (19 mm) | 13 oz for First-Class Mail |
Royal Mail and USPS change prices more often than size limits, so we only list the limits here. Check current prices with the postal service before sending.
Frequently asked questions
How big can a Standardbrief be?
Between 140 × 90 mm and 235 × 125 mm, at most 5 mm thick and 20 g heavy.
Is a C5 envelope a Großbrief in Germany?
Yes. C5 is 162 mm wide, which is too large for a Standardbrief or Kompaktbrief.
How many sheets fit in a Standardbrief?
With 80 g/m² paper and a DL envelope, two sheets are safe and three sit right at the 20 g limit.
What changes for the Maxibrief in 2027?
According to the announcement, it may weigh up to 2000 g but only be 3 cm thick rather than 5 cm. Maxibrief Plus will be dropped.
How much does a Großbrief cost in 2026?
€1.80 up to 500 g. Prices for 2027 have not been confirmed yet.