Confused about business envelope dimensions? Larry was, too, so we decided to make a handy guide on how to find the right business envelope for your needs.
(For the uninitiated, Larry is our Chief Happiness Officer who often helps us with 'organizing things around the office.' She – yes, Larry’s a girl - is in charge of making sure everyone is content, focused, and well informed.)
This post is all about envelope dimensions, specifically those for your business needs. It’s divided into 3 sections: standard envelopes, large envelopes, and check and form envelopes.
Our goal? Take out the guesswork when ordering envelopes for your business needs!
If you're looking for information on general envelope sizes, check out this resource.
Envelope Dimensions Size Chart
When you field as many questions about envelopes as we do, it's important to make our answers as digestible as possible. There are many, many sizes of envelopes, and this post only highlighted some of the most common ones specifically for business needs. We've created a simple chart below to consolidate all of the above information into one handy chart. However, if you’re looking for information regarding envelopes for things like wedding or party invitations, you may find this site helpful.
Standard Envelopes
The phrase 'standard envelopes' usually refers to those wide, white envelopes used for regular business mail. Number 10 envelopes are the most frequently used standard business envelope size in the United States.
Choosing the Right Size
A good rule of thumb is to select an envelope that measures 1/4 inch wider along each edge of the document you’re mailing. This makes it easy for both you and the receiver to easily insert and remove the item, plus minimizes any damage to the mailing that might occur in transit.
Kinds of Seals
Think there's only one type of envelope seal? Think again. We did a deep-dive into all things seal-y when it comes to envelopes, and what it means to use gummed vs. self-seal vs. flip and seal. Click here for a handy table that explains different types of envelope closures to help decide which one is right for you.
A Note about QuickBooks Checks
It’s worth noting that these three envelopes are NOT recommended for use with QuickBooks CHECKS. For QuickBooks invoices, they'll do just fine – but due to the extreme need for privacy, the windows of the envelopes used for QuickBooks checks must be exact so that the check amount isn't visible through the envelope. That's why security lining is so important! We included these kinds of envelopes in the “Check and Forms Envelopes” section towards the end of this post.
Type of Envelope |
Envelope Dimensions |
Typical Usage |
Number 10 Envelope |
4-1/8 in. x 9–1/2 in. |
|
Number 9 Envelope |
3–7/8 in. x 8–7/8 in. |
|
Number 8 Envelope (also called an 8-5/8" envelope) |
3–5/8 in. x 8-5/8 in. |
|
While some envelope measurements correspond directly to the number used in their names, others are named by approximation for easy reference.
For instance, the #10 envelope is actually 9-1/2" inches wide - close to the no. 10 that its named for, but not quite. Likewise, a #9 envelope is 8-7/8" wide – just shy of 9. I know it doesn't make much sense, but regardless, it's become commonplace industry terminology!
Large Envelopes
Do you mail items that shouldn’t be folded? Do you mail thick documents like magazines or reports? If so, the standard envelopes won’t do; you need something larger that will allow you to send your mail flat and unfolded.
Below, you’ll find a table outlining the three most popular large envelopes. Choose an envelope that is at least 1/4 inch larger than the height and width of your mailing.
Envelope Dimensions |
Typical Usage |
10 in. x 13 in. |
|
9 in. x 12 in. |
|
6 in. x 9 in. |
|
Booklet vs. Catalog Envelopes: What's the Difference?
In product descriptions of large envelopes, you'll see the terms “booklet” and “catalog envelopes.” To clarify, catalog envelopes open on the short side and have a seam running along the middle on the back of the envelope. Catalog envelopes are often used for interoffice communications as well as mailing.
Alternatively, a booklet envelope has its opening flap on the long side of the envelope. Their use is preferred when it’s imperative that mailed items are not bent, folded, or “stuffed” into the envelope.
What Kind of Postage to Use on Large Envelopes?
It’s common to have questions about mailing large envelopes. We’ve summarized some of the basics here and have linked to several informative articles below that are loaded with details if you need to know more.
For a general overview on how to mail envelopes, check out our piece here.
According to Bizfluent and our own personal experience, stamps should be your second choice. Instead, use metered mail or a service like Stamps.com as your first mailing option if you mail large volumes.
Metered Mail
Metered mail is mail that has postage printed directly onto it, the outer envelope, or an adhesive label created by a postage meter. Postage meters have built-in scales that determine the exact postage needed for items – no more guessing or over-paying by using too many stamps.
Metered mail also saves you time and fuel by eliminating trips back and forth to the post office. Furthermore, it offers businesses a simple way to track mail expenses by departments or campaigns, which offers analytics for determining ROI and budget planning.
An important fact, though: You cannot buy your own postage meter. The U.S. government controls postage much like currency, so these machines must be rented through companies who are authorized to do so. If you’re looking into renting a postage meter, there are a lot of factors to take into consideration, and this article by Expert Marketing gives lots of detailed info on these machines. Just like envelopes, there are lots of options to ponder.
Stamps.com
Stamps.com is a service that offers an alternative to metered mail while still offering more savings than traditional stamps – no postage meter needed. You use these services to print postage directly onto envelopes or labels using your office printer or something like a DYMO thermal label printer.
Stamps.com also integrates with fulfillment platforms like ShippingEasy, ShipStation, and more, so if you sell products online that need to be shipped to customers, this is a great solution. These FAQs by Stamps.com may give you insight to how these the service works.
USPS
Honestly, if you don’t mail large envelopes often, you can go old school with your local post office or USPS.com and avoid monthly fees or setup costs associated with the options above. This page gives the dimensions for “flats,” or large envelopes, and links to other basic USPS mailing info.
QuickBooks Checks, Business Forms, and Taxes: Not Your Common Envelope Sizes
Up to this point, we’ve talked about common envelopes sizes that everyone from professional settings to home offices use from time to time.
This section, however, is about a few non-standard sizes – custom-sized envelopes that are specific to certain types of businesses or intercompany departments.
The table below outlines envelopes sized for use with QuickBooks checks, CMS-1500 forms, 1099-MISC Tax forms, and W2 Tax forms.
Remember, a standard #8 envelope (a 8-5/8" envelope) with windows is not the best choice for QuickBooks checks. Oftentimes the windows do not align correctly, leaving the check amount or memo line in view. See our table below for the specs needed for the perfect fit for QuickBooks checks.
Type of Envelope |
Envelope Dimensions |
Window Placement |
QuickBooks Checks |
3-5/8 in. x 8-11/16 in. |
|
CMS-1500 Forms |
4-1/2 in. x width 9-1/2 in. |
|
1099-MISC Tax Forms |
5-5/8 in. x 9 in. |
|
W2 Tax Forms |
5-5/8 in. x 9 in. |
|
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2 comments
Justine
Hi Silke,
I found a 12.5″×19″ Poly Bubble Mailer that might work for what you need. See the link below!
https://www.amazon.com/BUBBLE-MAILER-SEALING-ENVELOPES-12-5×19/dp/B00LEBSO1G/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=%236+poly+envelopes&qid=1605539989&sr=8-3-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExOTlQTUhLVlNOMUVPJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwODE1MzQ4M0g3OEhDSklYWkQwQyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMTE2MDI0MTJLNVpIRldQSlA5USZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU=
I hope this helps!
Silke Henke
I am looking to ship 12″×12″ calendars, and cannot seem to find a good size for the bubble envelopes I’d like to use – any suggestions?