Royal Mail Postage Rates 2026 - October Price Update!
Franking Ink can confirm that Royal Mail changed its postage prices on 5th October 2026, and the new prices are live from today. This one was narrower than the April update: it was a stamp price change only. Every Mailmark franking price stayed exactly where it was, and so did 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps.
In short: Royal Mail has put up stamp prices on parcels and on its tracked and guaranteed services from today, 5th October 2026. Franking prices are frozen. A 1st Class letter still costs £1.80 by stamp or £1.77 franked, and a 2nd Class letter still costs 91p or 88p franked. Because stamp parcel prices rose and franked ones did not, franking a parcel now saves between 35p and £1.45 an item.
Which Royal Mail prices went up?
Only four groups of services were affected:
- 1st and 2nd Class parcels
- Royal Mail Signed For parcels
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Tracked
Everything else holds. Franking Ink can confirm that no Mailmark franking price changed on 5th October 2026, and that letter and large letter stamp prices are untouched. If you frank rather than stamp, there was no rate update to run and nothing to install. Your machine is already on the correct tariff.
The parcel change is worth paying attention to
Here is the part most coverage will miss. Until today, parcels were the one place franking gave you nothing back. A 1st Class small parcel cost £5.45 by stamp and £5.45 franked, so there was no reason to prefer one over the other on price.
From today the stamp price has climbed while the franked price stayed put, which opens a gap that was not there before:
- 1st Class small parcel up to 2kg: 45p saved per item
- 1st Class medium parcel up to 20kg: £1.45 saved per item
- 2nd Class small parcel up to 2kg: 35p saved per item
- 2nd Class medium parcel up to 20kg: £1.05 saved per item
Across a year that adds up quickly. Ten 1st Class small parcels a day over 250 working days is £1,125 in postage saved, purely from franking rather than stamping. And that sits on top of the 13.33% a Mailmark machine already saves on a 1st Class large letter.
Royal Mail First Class Postage Rates from 5th October 2026
The full First Class table, in effect from today, is below. Compare the stamp column against the Mailmark column.
| 1st Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight up to and including | Stamp Prices | Mailmark™ Prices |
| Letter | 0-100g | £1.80 | £1.77 |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £3.30 | £2.86 |
| 101-250g | £3.60 | £3.28 | |
| 251-500g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| 501-750g | £3.60 | £3.30 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £5.90 | £5.45 |
| 1-2kg | £5.90 | £5.45 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £8.70 | £8.05 |
| 1-2kg | £8.70 | £8.05 | |
| 2-5kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | |
| 5-10kg | £10.90 | £10.05 | |
| 10-20kg | £16.90 | £15.45 | |
Royal Mail Second Class Postage Rates from 5th October 2026
And the Second Class table. As above, only the parcel rows moved.
| 2nd Class Postage Rates | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Weight up to and including | Stamp Prices | Mailmark™ Prices |
| Letter | 0-100g | 91p | 88p |
| Large Letter | 0-100g | £1.55 | £1.52 |
| 101-250g | £1.90 | £1.81 | |
| 251-500g | £2.40 | £2.30 | |
| 501-750g | £2.70 | £2.50 | |
| Small Parcel | 0-1kg | £4.60 | £4.25 |
| 1-2kg | £4.60 | £4.25 | |
| Medium Parcel | 0-1kg | £7.50 | £6.95 |
| 1-2kg | £7.50 | £6.95 | |
| 2-5kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | |
| 5-10kg | £9.50 | £8.75 | |
| 10-20kg | £14.20 | £13.15 | |
Download the Postage Rates 2026 PDF for a clearer view of the October prices.
Royal Mail October 2026 price change FAQs
When do the new Royal Mail postage rates start?
The new Royal Mail stamp prices took effect on 5th October 2026 and are live now. The prices set on 7th April 2026 applied up until that date.
Are 1st and 2nd Class stamp prices going up in October 2026?
No. A 1st Class letter stays at £1.80 and a 2nd Class letter stays at 91p. Large letter stamp prices are unchanged too. Only parcel stamps and the tracked and guaranteed services rose.
Are Mailmark franking prices changing in October 2026?
No. Every Mailmark franking price is unchanged, on letters, large letters and parcels alike.
How much is a 1st Class parcel from 5th October 2026?
A 1st Class small parcel up to 2kg costs £5.90 with a stamp, or £5.45 with a Mailmark franking machine, saving 45p per parcel. A medium parcel up to 2kg costs £8.70 by stamp or £8.05 franked.
How much does a franking machine save on parcels?
A Mailmark franking machine saves between 35p and £1.45 on every parcel, which is 7.3% to 8.6% of the stamp price. Before 5th October 2026 the stamp and franked parcel prices were identical.
Do I need to update my franking machine for this change?
No. Because Mailmark franking prices did not change, there is no new tariff to download. The rates your machine loaded on 7th April 2026 remain correct.
Is franking still cheaper than stamps in 2026?
Yes. Franking saves 3p on every letter, up to 44p on a 1st Class large letter, and up to £1.45 on parcels as well.
Related reading
- Franking vs Stamps 2026: Which Is Cheaper for Post?
- What Is Mailmark? A Guide for Franking Machine Users
- Royal Mail Postage Rates 2026 Effective From Today - April Update
Keep your franking costs down
Postage prices move, but your running costs do not have to. Stock up on low cost franking ink and labels for every major make and model. Browse our full range of franking ink here