Postage stamps: First and second class stamps cost and delivery time

With the UK still under lockdown restrictions, the nation has been sending more cards and letters to their loved ones.

Catch-ups over drinks are still a few months away, so what better time to revive the art of letter writing?

Royal Mail have reported a surge in just that – so make sure you know the correct pricing and timings for your post.

Whether you want to catch someone up, send out a small item or post some birthday cards, how much are stamps these days and how long will a first or second class stamp take to be delivered?

How much are stamps?

The price for a first-class stamp starts at 85p.

One stamp will be valid for any item up to 100g in weight – covering the likes of most cards and letters – and the cost to post something first-class rises as items get heavier.

For second-class, the price of a stamp starts at 66p for letters up to 100g.

How long do first and second-class stamps take to deliver?

First-class letters and cards in the UK are expected to be delivered by Royal Mail the day after they are posted  – provided you get your item posted within the collection times.

Second-class letters and cards in the UK are regarded as less urgent mail and can take up to two to three working days for delivery.