Green Franking can confirm that Royal Mail changed its prices on 5th October 2026, and the new prices are live from today. This was a stamp price change only. Every Mailmark franking price stayed exactly as it was, and 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps did not move either.
In short: From today, 5th October 2026, Royal Mail has put up stamp prices on parcels and on its tracked and guaranteed services. Franking prices are unchanged across the board. A 1st Class letter still costs £1.80 by stamp or £1.77 franked, and a 2nd Class letter 91p or 88p franked. With stamp parcels having risen and franked parcels held, franking a parcel now saves 35p to £1.45 an item.
What went up, and what did not
Four groups of services rose on 5th October 2026:
- 1st and 2nd Class parcels
- Royal Mail Signed For parcels
- Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed
- Royal Mail Tracked
Staying exactly the same: all Mailmark franking prices, 1st and 2nd Class letter stamps, and large letter stamps at every weight.
Franking machine users need do nothing
Because franking prices did not change, there is no new tariff to download onto your machine. The rates it loaded on 7th April 2026 remain the correct ones today. No update, no downtime, no action required.
Exact postage, now cheaper on parcels too
One of the quieter advantages of franking has always been that you pay the exact postage rather than rounding up to whatever stamp is in the drawer. No overpaying, and no part-used sheets going to waste.
Until today that argument did not extend to parcels, because a 1st Class small parcel cost £5.45 whether you stamped it or franked it. From today the stamp price has risen while the franked price has held, so franking a parcel is cheaper for the first time:
- 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
That is up to 8.6% off parcel postage, 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
Here are the full First Class rates, in effect from today.
| 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 rates from the same date.
| 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 printable version of the October prices.
October 2026 Royal Mail 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.
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.
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.
Does franking reduce waste compared with stamps?
Franking prints the exact postage required for each item, so there is no rounding up to the nearest stamp and no part-used sheets left over. That accuracy now costs less than stamping on parcels too.
Related reading
- Franking Machine vs Stamps: Which Is Cheaper for UK Businesses in 2026?
- Sustainable Mailing for Small Businesses: Cut Costs and Carbon in 2026
- Royal Mail Postage Rates 2026 Effective From Today - April Update
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