United Kingdom · Royal Mail
Royal Mail tube and roll size checker.
Posters, fabric rolls and postal tubes follow a different rule from boxes. Enter the length and diameter to see if yours passes.
Quick answer: for rolled and cylinder-shaped parcels, length plus twice the diameter must not exceed 104 cm, and the longest dimension must be no more than 90 cm.
Sources checked October 2026. Not affiliated with Royal Mail, Parcelforce, Evri, DPD or DHL.
Your tube or roll
Tube result
Enter the length and diameter, then press Check tube.
The two-part rule
Royal Mail’s UK size guide says: “For rolled and cylinder-shaped parcels, the length of the item plus twice the diameter must not exceed 104 cm, with the greatest dimension being no more than 90 cm.” Both parts must pass. It does not apply to Parcelforce Worldwide, which has its own limits.
Longest tube by diameter
| Diameter | Longest tube allowed |
|---|---|
| 5 cm | 90 cm (the 90 cm cap applies) |
| 7 cm | 90 cm |
| 8 cm | 88 cm |
| 10 cm | 84 cm |
| 12 cm | 80 cm |
| 15 cm | 74 cm |
The 90 cm cap is what limits thin tubes. From a diameter of 7 cm upward the 104 cm sum becomes the tighter limit.
International tubes
The international size guide in the October 2026 online prices lists tubes and rolls up to 90 cm long with length + 2 × diameter not more than 104 cm and weight up to 2 kg. The UK guide does not give a separate weight limit for tubes, so the weight limit of the service you choose applies.
Measure the outside
Use the outside diameter of the tube including end caps, tape and any bubble wrap.
Sources
- Royal Mail: Our Prices, valid from 5 October 2026 (PDF) (retrieved October 2026)
- Royal Mail: Online Prices (Click & Drop), valid from 5 October 2026 (PDF) (retrieved October 2026)
Frequently asked questions
What is the Royal Mail tube size limit?
Length plus twice the diameter up to 104 cm, with the longest dimension no more than 90 cm.
How do I calculate length plus twice the diameter?
Add the length to the diameter doubled. A tube 80 cm long and 8 cm across is 80 + 16 = 96 cm, which is within 104 cm.
What is the longest poster tube I can send?
Ninety centimetres, as long as length + 2 × diameter stays within 104 cm. For a 10 cm tube that means 84 cm.
Does the tube rule apply to Parcelforce?
No. The UK size guide says the rule does not apply to Parcelforce Worldwide, which has its own limits.
Is there a tube weight limit?
The UK size guide gives no separate tube weight limit. International tubes and rolls are listed up to 2 kg.
A guide, not a quote
This page compares your measurements with limits the carriers publish. It does not query any carrier, cannot confirm acceptance or price, and collects no personal data. Carriers change limits and prices, so confirm with the carrier before you ship.