If you’ve ever printed a shipping label that didn’t quite fit your package — too small, too big, or sliced off by your printer — you know the pain. Getting the right shipping label size can determine whether your parcel arrives smoothly or gets rejected at the post office.
This guide covers it all: standard shipping label dimensions, carrier-specific requirements across major couriers (e.g., USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL), and practical printing tips you can use right away.
The standard shipping label size used by most global carriers is 4×6 inches (100×150 mm). This size is optimized for barcode scanners, fits neatly on most parcel boxes, and works perfectly with thermal label printers.
It’s recognized across USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, Royal Mail, and major eCommerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify.
Although 4×6 is the industry default, there are a few other common label sizes you might encounter.
For example, smaller shipping label sizes, such as 2×3 inches or 2×4 inches, are ideal for boutique or lightweight parcels.
4×8 inches labels are preferred for large parcels or overseas shipments that need extra customs information, while 4×4 or 6×3 labels are sometimes used for smaller packages or tubes.
Choosing the right shipping label dimensions helps maintain barcode clarity and professional presentation. Here’s a quick, easy-to-read chart that keeps things simple.
| Label Type | Size (inches) | Size (mm) | Best For | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mini or Small Shipping Labels | 2 × 3 in | 50.8 × 76.2 mm | Lightweight parcels, return labels, boutique items | Too small for full carrier info; mostly used as add-on or internal shipping labels. |
| 2 × 4 in | 50.8 × 101.6 mm | Ideal for small envelopes, jewelry boxes, or boutique parcels with minimal shipping details. | ||
| Compact Parcel Labels | 4 × 4.25 in | 101.6 × 108 mm | Small boxes & local parcels | Handy for small packages like jewelry, gadgets, or cosmetics. Compact, clear, and fits short domestic deliveries. |
| Standard Shipping Labels | 4 × 6 in | 101.6 × 152.4 mm | Most carriers & parcels | The go-to shipping label size for USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL, and Amazon. Works perfectly for most boxes and mailers. |
| Large Shipping Labels | 4 × 8 in | 101.6 × 203.2 mm | B2B & international shipping | Extra space for customs info, routing details, or branding. Ideal for business, export, and international parcels. |
| Narrow Labels | 6 × 3 in | 152.4 × 76.2 mm | Tubes or long packages | Slim and practical for bottles, posters, or mailing tubes. Easy to scan, even on curved surfaces. |
| Extra-Large Pallet Labels | 6 × 8 in | 152.4 × 203.2 mm | Logistics, freight, pallets | Used in warehousing and freight for labeling entire pallets or large crates. Contains detailed handling instructions, SSCC barcodes, and routing info visible from a distance. |
| Full-Sheet / A4 Labels | 8.5 × 11 in / A4 | 210 × 297 mm | B2B carton labeling, or return shipments | Perfect for A4 shipping labels used in warehouse pick-pack, bulk or return orders, and carton labeling for B2B logistics. Prints multiple parcels or invoices on one sheet. |
When you choose a shipping label size, also pick the right label format—fan-fold or roll. Fan-fold labels feed from the back, store flat, and suit high-volume printing in warehouses or logistics setups; roll labels are compact, quick to load, and best for printers with a built-in label compartment or external holder, though they run out faster in bulk.
Different shipping carriers follow their own label formats, but most use 4×6-inch thermal labels as the standard.
Thermal printing is now the go-to choice—it’s fast, clean, and requires no ink. Most warehouses and e-commerce sellers use thermal shipping label printers for quick, reliable shipping labels every day.
If you run a business or sell on platforms like Amazon or Etsy, understanding the right label sizes saves reprinting costs and ensures every label scans cleanly. Below are the standard and optional shipping and mailing label dimensions used by major couriers and marketplaces.
This is the most common UPS shipping label size, used by most small businesses and e-commerce sellers. Fully compatible with ShipStation, EasyPost, and Shopify integrations.
4 × 8 inches / 8.5 × 11 inches (A4). The 4×8 format provides more space for routing or internal codes. A4 sheets are handy for desktop printing—often used for multi-order pages or return paperwork.
☞ Recommended reading: How to Create and Print UPS Shipping Labels
Both DHL Express and DHL eCommerce use this as their standard label size. Reliable scanning, excellent for nearly all thermal shipping printers, and accepted in almost every DHL region.
Some DHL hubs—especially for freight or customs-heavy shipments—accept 4×7 or 4×8 formats. In Europe, A4 full-sheet labels remain common for office printing and e-commerce return cases.
Used across all FedEx services, including Express, Ground, and Home Delivery.
The 4×8 size is helpful for international parcels that need customs info or extra tracking details. When using desktop printers, A4 or Letter-size labels work well for multi-order batches or warehouse packing slips.
USPS mainly uses this size for both domestic and international parcels. It fits most thermal shipping label printers and ensures clean barcode scanning across USPS sorting systems. It’s also the default for Shopify, ShipStation, and EasyPost users.
Smaller labels like 4×4 inches or 6×3 inches are commonly used for lightweight packages, sample mailers, or small product boxes. 8.5×11 inches work well for home or office printing, and is ideal for small batches or return orders.
Besides the major carriers above, Royal Mail, PostNord, and LaserShip also support the 4×6 inch (A6) shipping label format as their standard for most parcels and e-commerce shipments.
However, note that some European postal services still accept A5 or A4 templates, especially for desktop printing or integrated label sheets that include both the invoice and shipping details.
So it’s best to check your carrier’s label size requirements before printing to ensure full compatibility.
☞ You may also like: USPS Parcel Labeling Guide
Most e-commerce platforms—Amazon FBA, eBay, Shopify, and Etsy—use the same standard shipping label size: 4 × 6 inches .
Amazon FBA requires 4×6-inch thermal labels for both cartons and parcels, while eBay, Shopify, and Etsy also default to this size for smooth carrier integration.
Recommended reading：How to Print Amazon FBA Labels Using a Thermal Label Printer
If you run an online store, having a reliable label printer is just as important as choosing the right courier. The Hanin SL42 Direct Thermal Shipping Label Printer is built for modern eCommerce sellers—fast, compact, and ready for nonstop order fulfillment.
• Amazon FNSKU labels – 2" × 3"
• Product or SKU barcodes – 2" × 2"
• Custom brand stickers – 3" × 3" or other creative formats
In short, the Hanin printer gives sellers a fast, ink-free way to handle shipping labels, product barcodes, and custom stickers—all with one device. If you prefer mobile printing, you can also choose the SL42BT Bluetooth shipping label printer.
Even the perfect shipping label size won’t help if it prints off-center or cuts off your barcode halfway. Printing labels correctly is all about setup, calibration, and a little bit of attention to detail.
Always match your printer settings to your actual label roll.
For most thermal label printers, select 4 × 6 inches (100 × 150 mm) as the default size.
Most shipping platforms (like Shopify, Amazon, and ShipStation) generate labels in landscape orientation.
Make sure your print preview looks horizontal before printing—this prevents half-cut barcodes and wasted labels.
Always open your label in a PDF viewer before sending it to print.
This lets you zoom in and check if all key areas (barcode, address, return info) are visible and aligned.
For thermal printers, calibration helps the sensor detect label gaps and print margins correctly. Run the calibration function if:
• The barcode looks blurry, faded, or shifted
• The printer skips a label or prints across two labels
Not all thermal paper is equal. Choose durable, fade-resistant labels—especially if your parcels travel long distances or face heat and humidity.
Low-quality paper can make barcodes unreadable or peel off during transit, causing scanning issues at carrier depots.
Below are the most common questions people ask about shipping label sizes—short, simple, and to the point.
For envelopes or letters, mailing label dimensions are smaller—usually 2×4 inches or 3×4 inches—and printed with inkjet, laser or thermal printers.
Not officially, but most carriers expect 4×6 inches because it guarantees barcode readability and easy scanning.
There’s no fixed size, but 4×6 inches (100×150 mm) is the industry standard for most carriers. Smaller formats like 4×4 are also used for small parcels or local deliveries. The key is that the label must be clear and scannable.
The smallest label size that still works for shipping is around 3×2 inches, though only for compact packages or returns.
Mailing labels are for letters or documents. Shipping labels include barcodes, tracking IDs, and routing info for parcel delivery.
Yes. Many eCommerce sellers print two shipping labels per A4 sheet (8.5×11 inches) and cut them out manually. Just ensure your printer doesn’t resize automatically.
A perfectly sized label does more than look professional—it keeps your shipments moving smoothly from pickup to delivery. Stick with the 4×6-inch standard whenever possible—it’s accepted by all major couriers and works flawlessly with most thermal label printers.
And if you’re ready to streamline your shipping process, check out the Hanin shipping label printers—built for speed, precision, and nonstop performance across every standard label size.
