Franking Savings Calculator 2026: Will a Machine Pay?
Will a franking machine pay for itself? The honest answer is "it depends on your mix of post". This calculator does the sum for you, using Royal Mail's current stamp and franked prices, checked October 2026.
How the calculator works
You tell it how many items you send in a typical week, split by format and class. It then:
- Converts weekly volumes to monthly ones, using 52 weeks divided by 12 months, which is about 4.33 weeks a month.
- Multiplies each format's monthly volume by the gap between the stamp price and the franked price.
- Adds those savings together.
- Takes away your monthly lease and ink costs.
The result is your net monthly saving. If it is negative, stamps are cheaper for you at today's volumes.
It also shows a break even figure: how many items a month you would need to send to cover the machine's running costs, based on your average saving per item.
The prices behind it
The calculator uses these figures. Franked prices are from Royal Mail's tariff of 7 April 2026. Parcel stamp prices rose on 5 October 2026, per dealer Mailcoms' tables.
| Format | Stamp | Franked | Saving |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Class letter | £1.80 | £1.77 | 3p |
| 2nd Class letter | 91p | 88p | 3p |
| 1st Class large letter, up to 100g | £3.30 | £2.86 | 44p |
| 2nd Class large letter, up to 100g | £1.55 | £1.52 | 3p |
| 1st Class small parcel, up to 2kg | £5.90 | £5.45 | 45p |
| 2nd Class small parcel, up to 2kg | £4.60 | £4.25 | 35p |
Heavier large letters save different amounts. For example, a 1st Class large letter between 101g and 250g saves 32p, and a 2nd Class one between 501g and 750g saves 20p. Our Royal Mail franked mail costs guide lists every band.
Worked example one: a small office
A small accountancy practice sends each week:
- 100 2nd Class letters
- 10 1st Class large letters
Monthly, that is about 433 letters and 43 large letters.
| Item | Monthly | Saving each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Class letters | 433 | 3p | £12.99 |
| 1st Class large letters | 43 | 44p | £18.92 |
| Gross saving | £31.91 |
If the machine costs £25 a month to lease and ink averages £10 a month, the costs are £35. The net result is about £3 a month worse off than using stamps.
The average saving per item here is about 6.7p, so the break even point is around 520 items a month at the same mix. This office is close but not quite there.
Worked example two: an online seller
A small online shop sends each week:
- 20 2nd Class letters
- 40 1st Class large letters
- 30 2nd Class small parcels
Monthly, that is about 87 letters, 173 large letters and 130 parcels.
| Item | Monthly | Saving each | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd Class letters | 87 | 3p | £2.61 |
| 1st Class large letters | 173 | 44p | £76.12 |
| 2nd Class small parcels | 130 | 35p | £45.50 |
| Gross saving | £124.23 |
With the same £35 of monthly costs, the shop saves about £89 a month, or roughly £1,070 a year. Franking clearly pays here.
These are example figures. Your lease and ink costs will depend on the machine and supplier.
What the calculator does not include
Some benefits and costs are hard to put a number on, so they are left out:
- Time saved by not buying stamps or queueing at the Post Office.
- Fewer underpaid items, thanks to accurate weighing.
- Department or client accounting, which some firms value highly.
- Collection charges, if you pay Royal Mail to collect your post.
- Labels, if you frank a lot of parcels.
If the calculator says you are close to break even, these extras often tip the decision one way or the other.
Tips for accurate results
- Count real post, not estimates. Keep a tally for two typical weeks.
- Split by format. A large letter is anything bigger than a standard letter, up to 353mm by 250mm by 25mm. Getting format right matters more than anything else.
- Use your real quote. Put the actual lease and ink figures from a supplier into the cost fields.
- Check seasonal peaks. If December doubles your volume, run the numbers for a normal month and a busy one.
Questions people ask
Should I include VAT?
No. Standard 1st and 2nd Class postage is exempt from VAT whether franked or stamped. Lease and ink costs usually do carry VAT, so if you cannot reclaim VAT, enter those costs including it.
What about Signed For and Special Delivery?
You can frank those services too, and Royal Mail lists their franked prices separately on its franking tariff. They are left out of the calculator to keep it simple. If you send a lot of tracked or signed items, ask suppliers to include them in their savings estimate.
What if my volumes change?
Run the calculator for your quietest and busiest months. If the busy months save money and the quiet ones roughly break even, a machine usually still makes sense across the year.
Does the machine size change the result?
Yes, through the lease and ink figures. A bigger machine costs more each month, so it needs more volume to pay.
What to do next
If the calculator shows a clear saving, get a few quotes so you can plug in real costs. Our franking machine prices guide shows typical lease levels, and the small business franking machines guide covers models suited to lower volumes.
If you are below break even, look again in six months, especially if you start sending more large letters or parcels. Those are the formats where franking really earns its keep.
Prices checked October 2026, from Royal Mail's Mailmark franking tariff of 7 April 2026, Royal Mail stamp prices and dealer Mailcoms' published tables. Lease and ink figures in the examples are illustrative.