The height of your mailbox determines whether the postal worker can operate it effortlessly and whether you can use it comfortably yourself. There is no universal standard that fits every situation, but there are practical rules that will help you on your way. This way you avoid mounting your mailbox too high or too low.
A mailbox is an everyday object, for you and for the postal worker. If it hangs too low, you have to bend down deeply every time and moisture or dirt gets into the opening more easily. If it hangs too high, it becomes difficult to reach and the postal worker cannot open the flap smoothly. A well-considered height is therefore not a detail, but a matter of ease of use and respect for those who deliver the mail.
With the models, the height interacts with the design. Some models have a parcel compartment or a combination lock, and that influences how you best mount the mailbox. So think not only about the slot, but also about operating the lock and the space the parcel compartment requires.
As a rule of thumb, the mail opening is best positioned at roughly hip height, so that you do not have to bend down and the postal worker can open the flap without effort. For most people, this amounts to a height where the top of the mailbox is around chest or shoulder height. Exact figures differ per situation and per user, so adjust this to your own height and that of your household.
If you want to be sure, consult the guidelines of bpost. They determine where and how a mailbox must be accessible for mail delivery. These standards are the reference you are best advised to follow, especially if your mailbox hangs by the public road. Your recognised point of sale can help you determine the right height for your model and situation.
If you mount your mailbox on the facade, the surface and the height of the threshold help determine where it fits best. Make sure the opening remains clear of shrubs, drainpipes or a door that opens. With a freestanding installation, for example at the edge of your driveway or by the entrance, you choose the height according to the post or pillar on which the mailbox is placed. There too, the same applies: the opening at a comfortable height, so that no one has to bend down or reach up.
The models are designed to be placed both on the facade and freestanding. With a freestanding setup, pay attention to the sturdiness of the post and the distance to the road, so that the postal worker can reach it easily. If you want to see which models best suit your situation, you will find an overview at a point of sale in your area.
Further reading: Bpost standards · Freestanding placements · Find a point of sale
There is no fixed legal height, but as a rule of thumb the mail opening is best placed at hip height, so that the postal worker can easily open the flap and you do not have to bend down. Consult bpost's guidelines for the exact standard and ask your point of sale for advice.
Frequently asked questions
Go through the selection guide or find a recognised point of sale in your area.