Shipping Label Sizes
ShippingLabel supports every common label format. Choose the size that matches your printer, or download multiple formats for the same label.
4x6 Shipping Labels
The industry standard. Optimized for thermal printers like Rollo, DYMO 4XL, and Zebra. Edge-to-edge printing with no trimming needed.
Thermal Shipping Labels
Labels designed for direct-thermal printers. No ink, no toner, no cartridges. The fastest and most cost-effective way to print shipping labels.
Letter Size Labels (8.5x11)
Print shipping labels on standard letter paper with any inkjet or laser printer. Cut guides included. No special equipment needed.
Why label size is really a printer decision
Carriers don't care much which size you pick — every major network scans a 4×6 thermal label and a half-sheet of letter paper equally happily, as long as the barcode is flat, unscaled, and uncovered. What actually decides your label size is the hardware on your desk. A thermal printer commits you to 4×6 stock (and rewards you with no ink costs and peel-and-stick speed); an ordinary inkjet or laser commits you to letter paper (and rewards you with zero new hardware). The size question is settled the day you choose the printer.
The two mistakes that cause real-world scan failures have nothing to do with size choice: printing at “fit to page” instead of 100% scale, which shrinks the barcode below spec; and taping over the barcode with glossy tape, which throws glare at the scanner. Get those two right and any size on this page works at any carrier counter in the country.
The pages below go deep on each format — exact dimensions, printer compatibility, per-label costs, and when each one earns its place in a packing workflow that's trying to get faster.
Which Size Is Right for You?
| Your Situation | Recommended Size |
|---|---|
| I have a thermal label printer | 4x6 |
| I have a regular inkjet/laser printer | Letter (8.5x11) |
| I want the fastest, cheapest per-label printing | Thermal |
| I ship occasionally and want zero equipment investment | Letter (8.5x11) |
| I ship daily and want professional labels | 4x6 / Thermal |
| I need labels for multiple carriers | Any - all sizes support all carriers |