How Much Is a FedEx Overnight Letter? 2026 Rates Explained

Want to send a letter overnight with FedEx? You’re not alone. Thousands of people rely on FedEx Express for urgent documents - contracts, legal papers, medical reports, or job applications - and need to know exactly how much it’ll cost. The good news? It’s simple to figure out. The bad news? The price isn’t one-size-fits-all. It changes based on weight, distance, and even the time you drop it off. Let’s cut through the confusion and show you exactly what you’ll pay in 2026.

Base Price for a Standard Overnight Letter

If you’re shipping a standard business letter weighing under 1 pound (0.45 kg), the starting price for FedEx First Overnight in the U.S. is $34.50. This gets it delivered by 10:30 a.m. the next business day to most U.S. addresses. That’s the baseline. But here’s where people get tripped up: this price only applies if you’re shipping from one ZIP code to another within the contiguous U.S. No extra zones, no rural surcharges, no weekend fees.

For example, sending a letter from New York to Chicago? That’s still $34.50. But if you’re sending it to Anchorage, Alaska, or Honolulu, Hawaii? You’re looking at an extra $15-$20 on top. FedEx treats those as “remote” zones, and they charge accordingly. Same goes for U.S. territories like Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.

What If Your Letter Weighs More?

FedEx doesn’t just charge by distance - they charge by weight. And for letters, that means even half an ounce matters.

• Up to 1 lb: $34.50 (standard rate)
• 1.1 to 2 lbs: $42.75
• 2.1 to 3 lbs: $51.00

That’s right - going from 1 lb to 1 lb 2 oz bumps you into the next pricing tier. There’s no prorating. FedEx uses fixed weight brackets. If your letter is 1 lb 5 oz, you pay the 2 lb rate. That’s why people who ship often weigh their documents on a digital scale before heading to the counter.

Also, if you’re using a rigid envelope or box instead of a flexible mailer, FedEx may classify it as a “package,” not a “letter.” That triggers higher rates. Always use a FedEx Express envelope labeled for letters if you want to avoid surprise charges.

Time of Day Matters - Drop-Off Windows

Here’s something most people don’t realize: if you drop off your letter after the cutoff time, it doesn’t go out that night. It goes out the next day - meaning your “overnight” delivery becomes a two-day delivery.

For FedEx First Overnight, the cutoff is usually 6:00 p.m. local time at your local FedEx location. If you’re using a FedEx drop box, it’s often 7:00 p.m. But in rural areas or small towns, cutoffs can be as early as 4:00 p.m. Always check the posted hours on the FedEx website for your specific ZIP code. Don’t assume.

And if you need it delivered before 8:00 a.m.? That’s FedEx First Overnight Early - and it costs an extra $12. That’s $46.50 for a 1-lb letter. Only worth it if you’re sending to a business that opens at 7:30 a.m. and needs the document before the first meeting.

Weekends and Holidays? Watch Out

FedEx doesn’t deliver on Sundays for standard overnight - unless you pay extra. FedEx First Overnight Saturday is available in most metro areas for an additional $15. That brings the total to $49.50 for a 1-lb letter. But if you’re shipping on a Friday for Saturday delivery, you must drop it off by 5:00 p.m. Friday. No exceptions.

Holidays are even trickier. If you ship on the day before a federal holiday (like Presidents’ Day or Memorial Day), your letter might not move until after the holiday. FedEx’s website shows a holiday calendar every year. In 2026, there are 11 major holidays where overnight service is suspended. Always check before you ship.

How to Save Money on Overnight Letters

You don’t need to pay full price every time. Here are three proven ways to cut costs:

1. Use FedEx One Rate - If your letter fits in a FedEx Express envelope (and weighs under 1 lb), you pay a flat rate regardless of distance. That’s $34.50 whether it’s going to Maine or California. No zone surcharges. This is the best deal for most people.
2. Ship from a FedEx Office - They often have small discounts for walk-in customers, especially if you’re using a FedEx account. Some locations offer $2-$5 off if you mention a promotion code found on their website.
3. Use FedEx Ship Manager - If you ship often, create a free FedEx account online. You’ll get access to negotiated rates, automatic label printing, and pickup scheduling. Even if you’re not a business, the savings add up. Many users save 10-15% just by switching from retail pricing.

What’s the Difference Between FedEx Overnight Services?

FedEx offers three overnight options - and most people pick the wrong one.

FedEx Priority Overnight is $5 cheaper than First Overnight - and delivers by noon. If your recipient doesn’t need it before 10:30 a.m., this is the smarter pick. Standard Overnight is even cheaper - $26.50 - and still beats USPS Priority Mail. But it won’t get there until 3:00 p.m. So if you’re sending a resume to a job interview at 9:00 a.m., skip this one.

What You Can’t Ship Overnight

FedEx has strict rules. You can’t send:

• Alcohol
• Fireworks
• Live animals
• Perishable food (unless using a special refrigerated service)
• Cash or negotiable instruments (like checks or bonds)

Even if you’re sending a letter, if it contains a USB drive with sensitive data, FedEx recommends you declare it. They don’t inspect every envelope - but if they do, and you didn’t declare it, your package could be delayed or rejected.

Real-World Example: How Much Did It Really Cost?

Last month, a freelance graphic designer in Austin sent a contract to a client in Boston. She used a FedEx Express envelope, weighed it on a kitchen scale - 0.9 lbs - and dropped it off at 5:45 p.m. on a Tuesday. She paid $34.50. It arrived by 10:17 a.m. the next day. No surprises.

Compare that to her friend, who used a regular envelope from Staples, didn’t weigh it, and assumed it was a “letter.” FedEx charged him $42.75 because it was 1.3 lbs and classified as a package. He didn’t know the difference.

Know your weight. Know your envelope. Know your cutoff time. That’s how you avoid overpaying.

Is FedEx Overnight Worth It?

Compared to USPS Priority Mail Express? FedEx is usually faster and more reliable. USPS guarantees next-day delivery too - but it’s less consistent in rural areas. FedEx delivers to PO Boxes? No. USPS does. FedEx delivers on weekends? Only if you pay extra. USPS does Saturday delivery for free.

So if you need guaranteed delivery by 10:30 a.m. on a weekday, with tracking updates every 15 minutes, and a signature confirmation - FedEx is still the gold standard. For most people, the $34.50 price tag is worth it. For occasional shippers? Maybe not. But if you’re sending something that can’t wait - like a visa application, a court filing, or a medical report - then yes. It’s not a luxury. It’s insurance.