Mailbox Installation
How to Set Up & Mount a Mailbox
Follow U.S. Postal Service® guidelines for installing and placing a new mailbox at your home. Get tips on the best materials to use to set up a curbside mailbox and how to keep it in good condition. Make sure that your mail carrier always has a clear path to your mailbox whether it's by the street or mounted on your house.
A mailbox with the Postmaster General's (PMG) seal of approval meets USPS size and construction standards. If you build your own mailbox or buy a custom-made one, it must meet the PMG standards. Show your local postmaster your mailbox plans or your custom-made box for approval.
To get drawings and measurements for building your own mailbox, write to US Postal Service Engineering.
Want to buy a mailbox big enough for packages? See Next Generation Mailboxes.
Here are some helpful guidelines to follow when placing your mailbox:
- Position your mailbox 41" to 45" from the road surface to the bottom of the mailbox or point of mail entry.
- Place your mailbox 6" to 8" back from the curb. If you do not have a raised curb, contact your local postmaster for guidance.
- Put your house or apartment number on the mailbox.
- If your mailbox is on a different street from your house or apartment, put your full street address on the box.
The best mailbox supports are stable but bend or fall away if a car hits them. The Federal Highway Administration recommends:
- A 4" x 4" wooden support or a 2"-diameter standard steel or aluminum pipe.
- Avoid unyielding and potentially dangerous supports, like heavy metal pipes, concrete posts, and farm equipment (e.g., milk cans filled with concrete).
- Bury your post no more than 24" deep.
Some homes and apartments have a slot in the door for receiving mail instead of a mailbox. The standards for an approved door slot are:
- The opening must be at least 1 1/2" x 7".
- The bottom of the slot must be at least 30" above floor.
- Horizontal slots must have a flap hinged at the top.
- Vertical slots must be hinged on the opposite side from the door's hinges.
For greater privacy, you can also install a mail slot hood on the inside of your door to prevent someone from seeing into your home. The standards for door slot hoods are:
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The hood should not project more than 2 1/16" beyond the inside of the door.
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On a horizontal slot, the hood should not extend below the bottom of the outside plate.
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On a vertical slot, the hood should not extend beyond the side of the outside plate on same side as the door's hinges.
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To replace your curbside mailbox with a wall-mounted mailbox, you must get your local postmaster's permission.
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Choose from a variety of mailbox sizes and styles; mounted mailboxes are not required to have a PMG seal of approval.
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Get a wall mailbox that can hold a normal day's mail volume, including letter-sized envelopes, postcards, and catalogs.*
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Place the mailbox near the main entrance so your mail carrier can easily see it.
*Note: Wall-mounted mailboxes may only be used for items with postage. Newspapers may not be placed in the mailbox.
Mailboxes take a beating from the weather, so we recommend an annual mailbox checkup to avoid damage to your mail or difficulty identifying your address.
- Tighten loose hinges on the door
- Take care of rusty or loose parts
- Replace missing or faded house numbers
- Keep the path to your mailbox clear