Track your post

Posted an item with tracking or asked for a signature when it arrives? You can track your parcel’s progress via Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide.

Check your delivery’s progress

Q: Can I track a parcel without a tracking number?

No, you need a tracking or reference number to track an item sent via Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide.

Q: Can I track a parcel by address?

No, you need a tracking or reference number to track an item sent via Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide.

Q: Can I track a parcel with proof of postage?

You can only track an item if you’ve bought a service that includes a tracking or reference number. If not, you can’t use proof of postage to track your item.

We offer services from Royal Mail and Parcelforce Worldwide which can be fully tracked and/or have confirmation of delivery. Please see the information below on how to track your items sent using their services.

Sent via Royal Mail?

Which services can I track?

Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed®

International Tracked & Signed

International Tracked

International Signed (tracked until the item leaves the UK)

Which services show a confirmation of delivery?

Royal Mail Signed For® 1st Class

Royal Mail Signed For® 2nd Class

1st Class and 2nd Class - small and medium parcels only (no signature)

Royal Mail Signed For® and 1st and 2nd Class parcel services aren't tracked throughout their journey. They provide the sender with online delivery confirmation.

Track your item

Sent via Parcelforce Worldwide?

Which services can I track?

All Parcelforce Worldwide UK services

Parcelforce Worldwide globalpriority

Parcelforce Worldwide globalexpress

All Parcelforce UK services require a signature upon delivery. Parcelforce will not deliver a item without receiving a signature. If the item has been delivered to a UK destination then a signature should be visible as proof of delivery on your track & trace results.

Parcelforce Worldwide globalpriority and globalexpress services also require a signature on delivery, however this signature will not always be available electronically so it may not show on your track & trace results.

Track your item

Your tracking reference number

To track your item, you will need the reference number found on your Post Office receipt. This may be called a barcode or a reference.
The reference number is between 9 and 27 characters long .
If you have sent your item at a Post Office and you have lost your receipt or tear off label, Royal Mail or Parcelforce Worldwide won’t be able to tell you the reference number.
Only a reference number can be used to track an item, other information such as a name or address cannot be used to track items.

More about sending mail

Useful links, extra information and related mails services.

Worth reading

Help and Tools

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Some common questions

Can I track a parcel without a tracking number?

Can I track a parcel by address?

Can I track a parcel with proof of postage?

How do I track a parcel from overseas?

How do I track a parcel I’m sending overseas?

Royal Mail’s International Tracking and Signature services provide different levels of tracking:

International Tracked & Signed: tracking within the UK and after leaving the UK, online delivery confirmation and signature on delivery*
International Tracked: tracking within and after leaving the UK, plus online delivery confirmation
International Signed: tracking within the UK and signature on delivery*

Parcelforce Worldwide international globalpriority and globalexpress services are both fully tracked – simply enter the tracking number into their tracking tool

*A signature is taken on delivery, but we don't provide a copy of the signature to you as part of the service and it's not available to view online.

What if I have more questions about tracking my parcels?