Royal Mail Tracking: Track Your Royal Mail Parcel Live

Royal Mail tracking number format

Format	Used for
2 letters, 9 digits, GB	Tracked 24, Tracked 48, Special Delivery, Signed For and International Tracked, for example AB123456789GB
16 characters	Some business and returns labels

About Royal Mail tracking

Royal Mail tracks Tracked 24, Tracked 48, Special Delivery Guaranteed, Signed For and International Tracked items. The reference is printed on the receipt or the sticker on the parcel and ends in GB.

Standard first and second class letters without a tracked service cannot be tracked. Only the services above give you a reference.

When you track here, we open the official Royal Mail page with your number already filled in, so you always see the carrier's own latest scan.

Where to find your Royal Mail tracking number

The reference is on your Post Office receipt or on the barcode sticker on the item, and for online orders in the dispatch email. It has two letters, nine digits and GB. Plain stamps have no reference.

Royal Mail services you can track

Tracked 24 and Tracked 48Tracked parcels with delivery aimed at the next day or within two days.

Special Delivery GuaranteedGuaranteed next working day by 1pm, with signature and higher compensation.

Royal Mail Signed ForFirst or second class with a signature on delivery, tracked at delivery.

International Tracked and International Tracked & SignedTracked overseas services. The local postal service delivers at the destination.

International StandardCheapest international service. It has no tracking reference, so it cannot be tracked online.

How to track a Royal Mail parcel

Find the number. Look in the shipping email, the order page or the receipt. A Royal Mail number looks like AB123456789GB.
Paste it above. Royal Mail is selected for you on this page. Spaces and dashes are removed.
Read the status. Check the latest scan and the history. If nothing has changed for a while, see the tips below.

Royal Mail tracking status meanings

Label created / Shipment information receivedThe sender made a label and told the carrier a parcel is coming. The carrier does not have the parcel yet. Wait one to two days for the first scan. If nothing changes after three working days, ask the sender whether it was handed over.
In transitThe parcel is moving through the carrier network, by truck, plane or both. Gaps of a day or two between scans are normal, longer for international parcels.
Held at customs / Customs clearanceThe destination country is checking the parcel. Duties, taxes or documents may be needed. Watch for a message from the carrier about payment. Only pay through the carrier's official website.
Out for deliveryThe parcel is on the delivery vehicle today. Keep your phone on and someone at the address if possible.
Delivery attemptedThe driver came but could not deliver, for example nobody was home or access was blocked. Check the card or message left, then rebook delivery or collect it.
Exception / DelayedSomething stopped the normal route: weather, an address problem, damage or a missed connection. Most exceptions clear on their own within a day or two. Contact the carrier if nothing changes in 48 hours.
DeliveredThe carrier recorded the parcel as handed over or left at the address. If you cannot find it, check safe places and neighbours, then contact the sender within 24 hours.

Every tracking status explained

Common Royal Mail tracking problems and fixes

Royal Mail International Standard tracking

International Standard has no tracking, so no number will work. If you need proof of delivery for an overseas item, use International Tracked or Tracked & Signed next time.

"We've got it" with no more updates

Royal Mail scans tracked items at a few points only. It often jumps straight to "Out for delivery" or "Delivered".

"Item has left the UK"

Royal Mail has passed it to the destination country. Track the same reference on that country's postal website for the remaining scans.

Tips for Royal Mail parcels

International items hand over to the destination post office. Use the same reference on that country's postal site after it leaves the UK.
"We've got it" means Royal Mail has the item. Updates can pause until it reaches the delivery office.
If a card says "Something for you", the item waits at the delivery office or a Post Office for collection.

Getting help with a Royal Mail delivery

If a "Something for you" card was left, collect the item from the delivery office or Post Office shown on the card. For lost items, the sender makes the claim with Royal Mail.

Royal Mail tracking FAQ

What does a Royal Mail tracking number look like?

It has 13 characters: two letters, nine digits and GB, for example AB123456789GB.

Can I track Royal Mail international items?

Yes, International Tracked and Signed items can be tracked with the same reference, also on the destination country's postal site.

Can I track a second class letter?

Only if it was sent with Signed For or a tracked service. A normal stamp has no tracking.

Royal Mail Tracking