Can you ship sheet music by Media Mail?

USPS's rules: Yes

Yes. USPS lists printed music, whether bound or in sheet form, as a Media Mail item of its own, so songbooks, method books, scores and single sheets qualify: $4.39 up to 1 lb. Handwritten, typed or photocopied music manuscripts qualify too, under the item for manuscripts for music. A few sheets usually cost less as a First-Class Mail large envelope if the envelope stays flat and flexible: $1.98 at 2 oz.

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026

The rule, in USPS's words

Quoted from the official pages linked below each quote, checked Oct 19, 2026.

“Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.”

Domestic Mail Manual 173.4.1c · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 173: Media Mail and Library Mail prices and eligibility

“Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.”

Domestic Mail Manual 173.4.1f · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 173: Media Mail and Library Mail prices and eligibility

“Such manuscripts may be handwritten, typewritten, or photocopied.”

USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-018 · USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-018: Manuscripts (updated June 2014)

What it costs to ship

Media Mail costs the same to every US address, with a 1 lb minimum ($4.39) and any fraction of a pound rounded up. Ground Advantage, USPS's ground package service with tracking included, is priced by weight and zone: online is USPS's commercial price for labels bought online, and the counter price is retail.

USD, weight not over. USPS Notice 123 effective Oct 4, 2026; Ground Advantage includes USPS's temporary holiday prices, in effect until 12 a.m. CT Jan 17, 2027 (Media Mail isn't affected). First-Class Mail large envelope: same Notice 123, for flexible pieces up to 15 x 12 x 3/4 in. and 13 oz, with no tracking. Selling platforms and label services can have their own rates.
Package	Media Mail	First-Class large envelope	Ground Advantage online, Zones 1-9	Ground Advantage at the counter, Zones 1-9
A few sheets, 2 oz	$4.39	$1.98	$7.33 to $8.95	$8.40 to $10.20
1 lb	$4.39	over 13 oz	$8.01 to $11.22	$10.05 to $13.65
2 lb	$5.13	over 13 oz	$8.39 to $13.42	$11.30 to $19.80
5 lb	$7.34	over 13 oz	$10.35 to $20.24	$13.75 to $27.45

Worked examples

Five pieces of sheet music in a large envelope that still bends, 6 oz: Media Mail $4.39, or a First-Class Mail large envelope for $3.14.
A 4 lb stack of piano method books: Media Mail, $6.60.
A 2 lb box of choral scores: $5.13, against $8.39 to $13.42 online by Ground Advantage.

Every weight from 1 to 70 lb: Media Mail rates · Ground Advantage rates

Edge cases

The printed-music item has no page minimum and no advertising clause; those conditions are written into the book item (DMM 173.4.1a).
Strings, reeds or other accessories packed with the music make it a mixed box.
Recorded music is a separate item: see records, CDs and DVDs.

What to do

Under 13 oz and flat, compare the First-Class Mail large envelope price, which has no tracking, with Media Mail, which includes it.
Over 13 oz, or in a box, use Media Mail.

Can you ship vinyl records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs by Media Mail?
Yes. Sound recordings qualify, and USPS classifies video recordings as sound recordings, so records, CDs, cassettes, DVDs, Blu-rays and VHS all go.
Can binders, loose-leaf pages or printouts go by Media Mail?
Only if they form a book. Loose-leaf pages qualify, with or without their binder, when together they make a book. An empty binder, update pages or replacement pages don't.
What is Library Mail, and can a reseller use it instead of Media Mail?
Only with an institution. Cheaper than Media Mail, but a library, school, museum or qualifying nonprofit must be the sender or addressee, and books need a qualifying pair.
What are the Media Mail weight and size limits?
Up to 70 lb and 108 in. in length plus girth; priced per pound with a 1 lb minimum, any fraction rounded up.

All 25 Media Mail questions · Cheapest way to ship books

Sources

Rates verified on Oct 19, 2026 from each official page below.

Free 1-page Reseller Cheat Sheet: fees on 8 platforms, Media Mail and stamp prices

What each platform takes from a $10, $25 and $50 sale, Media Mail 1-10 lb, Ground Advantage to Zones 1, 5 and 8, and the Forever stamp, on one printable page. The link appears as soon as you sign up.