Tracked 48 is Royal Mail's economy tracked parcel service, aiming for delivery within two to three working days with full tracking and, for parcels, a photo or signature on delivery. For most online sellers it's the sweet spot of cost, speed and protection, and it's the service our customers most often use alongside our 4x6 labels.
What Tracked 48 includes
Tracked 48 gives you full tracking from drop-off to delivery, including delivery confirmation, and compensation cover as standard. For parcels it typically includes a photo on delivery or a signature, which is genuinely useful evidence in disputes. The two-to-three-day aim makes it suitable for the majority of non-urgent e-commerce orders.
How Tracked 48 is priced
Tracked 48 is priced by parcel size band, Small Parcel and Medium Parcel, rather than by precise weight, as long as you stay within the band limits. That flat structure is why it's so popular with sellers: a parcel anywhere within the Small Parcel band costs the same regardless of whether it's 500g or just under 2kg. This differs from the weight-stepped letter services.
Tracked 48 vs 2nd Class
For a similar delivery aim, Tracked 48 adds full tracking and delivery confirmation over plain 2nd Class, which has neither. The price difference is small on parcels, which is why Tracked 48 has largely replaced 2nd Class for serious sellers. 2nd Class remains relevant mainly for untracked letters and very low-value items, covered in our 2nd Class prices guide.
Tracked 48 vs Tracked 24
The only meaningful difference between Tracked 48 and Tracked 24 is the delivery aim, two to three days versus next day. If your customers don't expect next-day delivery, Tracked 48 saves money for the same tracking and compensation. Our Tracked 24 vs 48 comparison helps you decide when the faster option is actually worth it.
Account and volume discounts
High-volume senders can access Tracked 48 at rates below the standard online price through a Royal Mail Online Business Account, and further discounts are available through parcel aggregators and shipping platforms. If you send more than a handful of parcels a day, the standard online rate shouldn't be the price you plan around.
Size limits to watch
Tracked 48 parcels must fit within Royal Mail's Small or Medium Parcel dimensions and weight limits, and exceeding them pushes you into a more expensive band or service entirely. Our size and weight limits guide lists the exact boundaries, and it's worth checking before you print, because a parcel that's 1cm over costs more to send.
Printing Tracked 48 labels
Tracked 48 postage bought online prints as a standard 100 × 150mm label with the barcode and address. It's designed to print on a 4x6 thermal printer without reformatting, and because the barcode is the whole point of the service, a clean thermal print is what keeps the tracking reliable.
Frequently asked questions
Is Tracked 48 a guaranteed service? No. Tracked 48 is a two-to-three-working-day delivery aim, not a guarantee. For a guaranteed next-day service, use Special Delivery.
Does Tracked 48 include compensation? Yes, Tracked 48 includes compensation cover up to a set limit as standard, with the option to buy additional cover for higher-value items.
What is the maximum weight for Tracked 48? Tracked 48 covers parcels up to the Medium Parcel weight limit, which is 20kg. Beyond that you need a heavier parcel or courier service.
The label most Tracked 48 senders use
Print Tracked 48 barcodes cleanly on a 100 × 150mm direct thermal label, so every scan registers first time.
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