Media Mail Delivery Time Calculator (USPS)
Usually the most economical way to ship books, CDs, DVDs and educational materials. USPS's standard is 4 to 7 days in the lower 48.
By Hamdi Saidani.
Delivery Time (USPS Standard)
4-7 days
Days in the lower 48 (USPS standard)
Media Mail Delivery Time Calculator
Enter your ZIP codes to estimate Media Mail delivery time. Remember, Media Mail is slower but much cheaper for qualifying items.
Today
Already mailed? Pick the day you mailed it.
No regular USPS delivery on these days
All USPS holidaysReady to Calculate
Enter the two ZIP codes and the mailing date above, then press "Calculate Delivery Time" to see the expected delivery date for each mail class.
Latest Day to Send Media Mail
Know when it has to arrive? Enter the date and get the latest drop-off day, counted back from the delivery days USPS publishes for your ZIP pair.
The day it must be delivered.
Media Mail Delivery Times
USPS advertises Media Mail as 2-8 days. Its standard for mail entered near the sender is 4 to 7 days between 3-digit ZIP areas in the lower 48, two days more than Ground Advantage on the same route. It's one of the slowest USPS options but offers significant cost savings.
Plan for Longer Delivery
USPS advertises 2-8 days; its standard is 4 to 7 days in the lower 48, two days more than Ground Advantage on the same route, and it is a target, not a guarantee. Don't use Media Mail for time-sensitive shipments.
What's Eligible for Media Mail
- Books (at least 8 pages, no advertising)
- Sound recordings (CDs, vinyl records)
- Video recordings (DVDs, Blu-ray discs)
- Printed music and sheet music
- Test materials and answer sheets
- Computer-readable media with prerecorded information (not video games)
- Play scripts and manuscripts
- Film (16mm or narrower)
- Printed educational charts
- Medical binders (loose-leaf)
What's NOT Eligible for Media Mail
- Video games, computer drives and digital drives
- Advertising materials of any kind
- General merchandise
- Magazines and newspapers
- Comic books
- Blank media (empty CDs, DVDs)
- Books with advertising inserts
Packages May Be Inspected
USPS can open and inspect Media Mail packages. If you include anything that is not allowed, you (or your recipient) will have to pay higher postage. Only use Media Mail for clearly qualifying items.
Media Mail Pros & Cons
- Low rates for books and other media
- Great for heavy books
- Up to 70 lbs allowed
- Good for booksellers and anyone shipping books
- One of the slowest options
- Restricted to media items only
- No insurance included
- Subject to postal inspection
- Cannot include advertising
When to Use Media Mail
- Books and textbooks
- CDs, DVDs, and vinyl records
- Educational materials
- Film and video recordings
- Sound recordings
Media Mail Pro Tips
- 1Do not include any non-media items - packages may be opened and inspected
- 2USPS Tracking is included; keep the receipt
- 3Libraries, schools and nonprofits may qualify for Library Mail, which costs less ($4.17 for 1 lb)
- 4Consider insurance for valuable items
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Media Mail take to deliver?
USPS advertises Media Mail as 2-8 days. Its standard for mail entered near the sender is 4 to 7 days between 3-digit ZIP areas in the lower 48, and longer to Alaska, Hawaii and the territories.
Standards are targets, not guarantees. It's one of the slowest USPS services but usually the cheapest way to ship qualifying media.
What can I send via Media Mail?
Media Mail is limited to: books (at least 8 pages), sound recordings (CDs, vinyl), video recordings (DVDs, Blu-ray), play scripts, printed music, test materials, computer-readable media with prerecorded information (not video games), and film (16mm or narrower).
Can USPS open my Media Mail package?
Yes, USPS reserves the right to open and inspect Media Mail packages to verify contents meet the requirements.
If you include anything that is not allowed, USPS says you (or your recipient) will have to pay higher postage.
Can I ship video games via Media Mail?
No. USPS says video games, computer drives and digital drives do not qualify for Media Mail prices. Computer-readable media with prerecorded information can qualify (Domestic Mail Manual 173).