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Sizes & Formats

Shipping Label Sizes: The Reference

Standard shipping label dimensions in inches and millimeters, the carriers and printers that use each, and why 4 by 6 is the one to buy.

Reference · July 24, 2026 · 3 min read

Blank white rectangular shipping labels of different sizes arranged on a slate grey surface
Photo: WestonEyes (BY) via Openverse

If you buy one size, buy 4 by 6. It is the direct thermal label every major carrier reads and every ecommerce printer expects. The other sizes below exist for specific printers, regions and use cases.

Data checked: July 20, 2026 against carrier and printer sources listed at the foot of the page.

Standard sizes

Size (in)Size (mm)OrientationUsed by / for
4 by 6101.6 by 152.4PortraitUniversal carrier thermal label: USPS, UPS, FedEx, DHL
6 by 4152.4 by 101.6LandscapeThe same 4 by 6 label, fed on its long edge
4 by 6.75101.6 by 171.5PortraitFedEx thermal stock: 4 by 6 plus a 0.75 in doc tab
A6105 by 148PortraitMetric standard, common in Europe and for DHL
4 by 4101.6 by 101.6SquareLarge barcodes, compliance and marketplace labels
2-5/16 by 458.7 by 101.6PortraitDYMO 30256 LabelWriter large shipping label
3 by 276.2 by 50.8LandscapeWarehouse bin, asset and inventory labels
2 by 150.8 by 25.4LandscapeBarcode, SKU and small product labels

Inches convert at 1 in = 25.4 mm, so 4 by 6 in is exactly 101.6 by 152.4 mm.

Sizes drawn to scale

Label footprints to scale (1 inch = 20 px) 4 x 6 4 x 6.75 A6 4 x 4 2.3 x 4 3 x 2 2 x 1 Teal = the 4 by 6 carrier standard. Source: carrier and printer specs. Checked 2026-07-20.

Which one to pick

If youBuy
Ship with USPS, UPS, FedEx or DHL4 by 6 direct thermal
Ship with FedEx and want the tear-off tab4 by 6.75 with doc tab
Sell in Europe or print A-series stockA6, 105 by 148 mm
Run a DYMO LabelWriter for light mail2-5/16 by 4 (part 30256)
Label shelves, bins or products3 by 2 or 2 by 1

Notes that save reprints

Frequently asked questions

What is the standard shipping label size?

4 by 6 inches, which is 101.6 by 152.4 mm. It is the direct thermal format that USPS, UPS, FedEx and DHL all read on their automated lines, and it is what nearly every ecommerce printer expects.

Is A6 the same as 4 by 6?

Almost. A6 is 105 by 148 mm, slightly wider and slightly shorter than a 4 by 6 label, which is 101.6 by 152.4 mm. Carriers accept both. A6 is the common metric choice in Europe and for DHL.

Why is FedEx stock 4 by 6.75 inches?

The extra 0.75 inch is a doc tab at the top. It carries reference text and tears off, leaving a standard 4 by 6 label on the parcel. The FedEx supplies part number for this stock is 156148.

What size are DYMO LabelWriter shipping labels?

The common DYMO large shipping label, part 30256, is 2-5/16 by 4 inches, which is about 59 by 102 mm. It is smaller than a carrier 4 by 6 and suited to letter and small-parcel mail rather than automated carrier scanning.

Sources & data

  1. Shipping label sizes guide (4x6 standard and carrier requirements), HPRT, checked 2026-07-20
  2. DHL Freight label definition (label format and dimensions), DHL, checked 2026-07-20
  3. Thermal label sizes for Zebra printers (4x6, 3x2, 2x1 uses), Label Blanks, checked 2026-07-20
  4. DYMO LabelWriter 30256 large shipping labels, 4 by 2-5/16 in, Staples, checked 2026-07-20
  5. Thermal label stock options (FedEx 4x6.75 doc tab, part 156148), Descartes ShipRush, checked 2026-07-20
  6. Shipping labels A6, 105 by 148 mm, Avery, checked 2026-07-20
Cite this reference: Ecom Almanac (2026). “Shipping Label Sizes: The Reference.” https://ecomalmanac.com/sizes/shipping-label-sizes-the-reference/