You have a Royal Mail reference, but the tracking page either will not move or says nothing useful. The first thing to know: only some Royal Mail services are tracked. Here is how to tell whether yours is, how to track it, and how to follow every update in one app.
At Package Tracker we follow parcels across 1,700+ couriers, and the most common Royal Mail mix-up we see is simple: people expect tracking on a service that does not include it. Here is how to know which you have.
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Which Royal Mail services are tracked?
This is the key question, because not every Royal Mail service includes tracking. Based on Royal Mail:
- Tracked 24 and Tracked 48 — full tracking right to delivery.
- Special Delivery Guaranteed — tracked and time-guaranteed.
- Signed For — now part of Tracked, with full tracking and a signature on delivery.
- 1st and 2nd Class stamps — not tracked; you will not see live progress, only the postage you paid for.
| Service | Tracked? | Typical delivery |
|---|---|---|
| Tracked 24 | Yes, full tracking | Aims for the next working day |
| Tracked 48 | Yes, full tracking | 2 to 3 working days |
| Special Delivery Guaranteed | Yes, tracked and timed | Next working day by 1pm |
| Signed For | Yes, now part of Tracked | Delivered with a signature |
| 1st Class stamp | No | About 1 working day, not tracked |
| 2nd Class stamp | No | 2 to 3 working days, not tracked |
How to track your Royal Mail item
- Open the Royal Mail Track your item page, or use the link in your retailer's email.
- Enter your reference number, or paste it once into Package Tracker.
- Follow updates from posting through to delivery, including any delivery confirmation.
For the full method across every courier, see how to track any parcel.
Where to find your Royal Mail tracking number
Your reference is on your Post Office receipt, your retailer's dispatch email, or in your account. International items use a format of two letters, nine digits and GB — for example, AB123456789GB. If you only have a stamp receipt for a standard letter, it is unlikely to be trackable.
How long does Royal Mail take?
Tracked 24 and Tracked 48
Tracked 24 aims to arrive the next working day, and Tracked 48 within two to three working days. These are aims, not guarantees.
Special Delivery
Special Delivery Guaranteed targets delivery by 1pm the next working day, with compensation cover.
Never lose a Royal Mail item again
Package Tracker re-checks your Royal Mail item automatically and alerts you on every update, next to all your other deliveries.
Why your Royal Mail tracking is not updating
- It is not a tracked service. A 1st or 2nd Class stamp shows little or nothing — check the service first.
- Just posted. A tracked item can take until the next working day for its first scan.
- Between scans. Items are not scanned at every step, so quiet stretches are normal.
- Weekend or bank holiday. Processing pauses, so updates resume the next working day.
If it has not moved in a while, see parcel stuck in transit. If the reference will not load, here is the fix: tracking number not working.
What to do if your Royal Mail item is late or missing
Check the service and timescale
Confirm whether your service is tracked and how many working days it allows, then give it the full window before treating it as lost.
Raise an enquiry
If a tracked or guaranteed item is well overdue, you can raise a claim or enquiry with Royal Mail, or contact the retailer you ordered from.
Key takeaways
- Only tracked services (Tracked 24/48, Special Delivery) show full tracking.
- Standard 1st and 2nd Class stamps are not tracked.
- International tracked numbers look like AB123456789GB.
- Raise an enquiry with Royal Mail for overdue tracked items.
Frequently asked questions
Enter your reference on the Royal Mail Track your item page, or paste it into Package Tracker. Tracking works for services that include it, such as Tracked 24, Tracked 48 and Special Delivery.
No. Only tracked services such as Tracked 24, Tracked 48, Signed For and Special Delivery include tracking. Standard 1st and 2nd Class stamped post is not tracked.
International tracked items use two letters, nine digits and GB — for example AB123456789GB. Domestic tracked references are usually a long number from your receipt or email.
Signed For is now part of the Tracked range, so it includes full tracking and a signature when the item is delivered.
Often because the service is not tracked, the item was just posted, or it is a weekend or bank holiday. Tracked items update again at the next scan.
Tracked 48 aims to deliver within two to three working days, while Tracked 24 aims for the next working day. Both are targets, not guarantees.
Generally no. Standard 1st and 2nd Class post is not tracked. You would need a tracked service such as Tracked 24 or Special Delivery.
Check the service and its timescale first, then raise an enquiry or claim with Royal Mail. You can also contact the retailer you ordered from.
Yes. Add the reference to Package Tracker and follow your Royal Mail item alongside Evri, DPD and everything else in one app.
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