---
title: "Can sheet music go by Media Mail? Yes, bound or loose"
description: "Yes. USPS lists printed music, bound or in sheet form, as Media Mail, and music manuscripts qualify too. Media Mail and large envelope prices inside."
canonical: https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/sheet-music/
last_updated: 2026-10-19
publisher: "The Reseller Index"
---

# 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](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm#a_4_1) · 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](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm#a_4_1) · 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](https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-018.htm) · 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](https://resellerindex.com/rates/media-mail/) · [Ground Advantage rates](https://resellerindex.com/rates/ground-advantage/)

## 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](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm#a_4_1)).
- Strings, reeds or other accessories packed with the music make it a [mixed box](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/mixed-box/).
- Recorded music is a separate item: see [records, CDs and DVDs](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/records-cds-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.

## Related questions

- [Can you ship vinyl records, CDs, cassettes and DVDs by Media Mail?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/records-cds-dvds/)

  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?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/binders-and-loose-leaf/)

  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?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/library-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?](https://resellerindex.com/usps/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](https://resellerindex.com/usps/media-mail/) · [Cheapest way to ship books](https://resellerindex.com/guides/cheapest-way-to-ship-books/)

## Sources

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

- [USPS Domestic Mail Manual 173: Media Mail and Library Mail prices and eligibility](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/173.htm)
- [USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-018: Manuscripts (updated June 2014)](https://pe.usps.com/text/csr/PS-018.htm)
- [USPS Notice 123: price list (effective Oct 4, 2026), Media Mail and Ground Advantage prices](https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm)
- [USPS: temporary price change for 2026 holiday shipping (Aug 25, 2026)](https://about.usps.com/newsroom/national-releases/2026/0825-usps-announces-temporary-price-change-for-2026-holiday-shipping-season.htm)

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---

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