USPS EDDM Online Tool: Step‑by‑Step Route Selection Guide#
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) is USPS’s “mail to every address on a carrier route” option—useful when you want to blanket a neighborhood without buying or maintaining a mailing list.
USPS provides an official tool for selecting routes and generating the paperwork you need.
Primary USPS tool: Every Door Direct Mail Online Tool. Source: USPS EDDM route tool page. (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
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What the USPS tool does (and why you should use it)#
The EDDM Online Tool lets you:
- search for carrier routes near an address or ZIP Code,
- filter by demographics (age, household size, income),
- estimate counts and costs,
- choose Retail entry vs BMEU entry,
- and generate facing slips and other documentation.
Source: USPS EDDM Online Tool interface. (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
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Step 1: Search for routes#
On the EDDM route tool page, USPS directs you to start by entering an address, city/state, or ZIP Code to begin your search. Source: USPS EDDM tool “Step 1: Search for Routes.” (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
Tip: Use an address near the center of the area you want to target so the map is anchored correctly.
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Step 2: Use demographic filters (optional but powerful)#
USPS’s tool includes filters to target customers by demographics such as:
- age
- household size
- income
Source: USPS EDDM tool page text. (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
This is where EDDM becomes more than “spray and pray.”
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Step 3: Select routes and watch totals#
As you add routes, the tool aggregates:
- residential vs business counts (where available),
- total pieces,
- and cost estimates.
Practical tip: EDDM is usually most cost-effective when your offer is hyper-local and your creative is optimized for quick scans.
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Step 4: Choose entry type (Retail vs BMEU)#
This is the decision that affects payment method, where you drop off, and daily limits.
Option A: BMEU Entry (permit-based)#
USPS’s tool lists BMEU entry requirements such as:
- Pay online with your BMEU permit
- Drop off your mailpieces at a BMEU
- Use Permit Indicia on each mailpiece
- Daily delivery limit: None
Source: USPS EDDM tool “Option 1: BMEU Entry.” (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
Option B: Retail Entry (simpler, but has limits)#
USPS’s tool lists Retail entry requirements such as:
- Pay online with credit card or pay in person at each Post Office drop-off location
- Use an approved Retail Indicia on each mailpiece
- Daily delivery limit: 5,000 mailpieces (per day, per ZIP Code)
Source: USPS EDDM tool “Option 2: Retail Entry.” (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
Rule of thumb:
- Use Retail when you’re a small/local business running occasional campaigns.
- Use BMEU when you (or your provider) have permit infrastructure and want operational flexibility.
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Step 5: Confirm your mailpiece is EDDM‑eligible#
USPS includes a “Retail Mailpiece Size Checker” in the tool. USPS states that an EDDM Retail mailpiece must be flat, weigh no more than 3.3 oz, and meet at least one size condition (length > 10.5", height > 6.125", or thickness > 0.25"), while staying within USPS min/max dimensions. Source: USPS EDDM tool (Retail Mailpiece Size Checker). (https://eddm.usps.com/eddm/select-routes.htm)
If you’re out of spec, the Post Office can reject your drop‑off. Measure before you print 5,000 pieces.
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Step 6: Pay, print paperwork, and prep for drop-off#
The tool allows you to pay (depending on entry type) and then proceed with the paperwork.
USPS uses facing slips for EDDM bundles. Source: USPS EDDM Retail facing slip PDF. (https://www.usps.com/business/pdf/eddm-retail-facing-slip.pdf)
Prep reality: This is where campaigns go to die in the Post Office lobby. Make sure whoever is doing drop‑off knows the bundling/paperwork requirements and brings the right forms.
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Common pitfalls (that cause rejected drop-offs)#
- Mailpiece not actually meeting flat/weight requirements
- Wrong indicia type (Retail vs Permit)
- Missing or incorrect facing slips
- Trying to drop off at the wrong facility for the entry type
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Related EDDM guides#
- EDDM Retail vs BMEU: /blog/eddm-retail-vs-bmeu
- EDDM Mailpiece Size Requirements: /blog/eddm-mailpiece-size-requirements
- EDDM Postage Rates 2026: /blog/eddm-postage-rates-2026
- How to Fill Out an EDDM Facing Slip: /blog/eddm-facing-slip-guide