A personalized mailbox is a standard mailbox with your details cast or applied on it: house number on side plaques, street name or family name on a second line, a one-letter monogram on the door, or a matching address plaque for the house. Whitehall makes the best-known cast aluminum versions. Each is made to order, and USPS rules still apply. Browse our custom mailboxes to compare them.
This guide covers what you can personalize, how big your numbers should be, which mailbox to choose and what to check before you order.
What can you personalize on a mailbox?
| Option | What it shows | Whitehall layout (per product pages) |
|---|---|---|
| Side plaques, one line | House number only, large | Up to five 4.5-inch characters (Balmoral and Capitol packages) |
| Side plaques, two lines | House number plus street or family name | Top line up to five 3-inch numbers, bottom line up to sixteen 1.25-inch characters |
| Modern side plaques | House number in a modern typeface | One line of five 4-inch numbers (Modern Balmoral) |
| Monogram | One initial on the front door | 1 character, on a 3.5 x 3.5 inch door plaque (Balmoral) |
| Door plaque | House number on the front of the box | Up to five 1.75-inch characters (for the Capitol mailbox) |
| Two-sided topper | Address or family name above the box | Up to sixteen 1.25-inch characters |
| Color | Box and plaque finish | Two-tone combinations such as black/gold, bronze/gold, white/gold, plus black/silver and green/gold on some plaques |
Exact layouts and colors vary by product, so check the page for the box you choose before you plan your wording.
Side plaques: the most useful upgrade
Side plaques put your number on both sides of the box, so the carrier and visitors see it from either direction. Choose one line if you want the largest possible numbers. Choose two lines if you want the street name too, which helps on corner lots or when the box sits on a different street from the house.
Monograms
A single initial on the door is purely decorative, but it is what makes a Balmoral look finished. It pairs well with one-line side plaques: number on the sides, initial on the front.
Matching address plaques for the house
For a coordinated entry, match the mailbox with a Whitehall plaque for the house or post in the same finish. Our address plaque collection includes personalized side plaques, door plaques and toppers designed to match Whitehall boxes.
How big should the numbers on a mailbox be?
Bigger is better for anyone looking from a moving car, including delivery drivers and emergency crews. As a rough guide, sign makers estimate that 1-inch letters are readable from up to about 10 feet, 3-inch letters from about 30 feet and 4-inch letters from about 40 feet (estimates from a sign maker). Actual readability depends on contrast, lighting and typeface.
- House number: use the largest line your plaque allows. On Whitehall side plaques that means 3-inch numbers on a two-line plaque or 4.5-inch numbers on a one-line plaque.
- Street or family name: 1.25-inch characters are fine because they are read up close.
- Contrast: gold or silver on black, or gold on bronze, reads better than low-contrast pairings.
- Keep it short: abbreviations such as "St" or "Ln" leave room for larger, clearer characters.
USPS asks for your house number on the mailbox in a contrasting color, in numerals at least 1 inch high, so every Whitehall plaque size clears that easily. Your town may have its own rules for house numbers on the home itself, and many local fire codes call for numbers at least 4 inches high. Our guide to mailbox and house number requirements covers this in detail.
Whitehall personalized mailboxes we recommend
Whitehall Balmoral: the full package
The Whitehall Balmoral Mailbox Side Plaques, Monogram & Post Package is the one most people picture when they think of a personalized mailbox. It is sand-cast, high-density aluminum with Whitehall's Alumi-Shield all-weather coating.
- Mailbox: 13 x 13.7 x 21.25 inches
- Post: 56 x 4.5 x 4.5 inches, Deluxe post with ball finial; it slides over a treated 4 x 4 at least 50 inches long, which you supply
- Two personalized side plaques (one or two lines) and a one-character monogram
- Colors: black, bronze or white
- Listed as approved by the Postmaster General
It is also sold without the monogram, without the post, or with a plant hanger. A Modern Balmoral version swaps in sleek 4-inch numbers; see more contemporary options in our modern mailbox ideas.
Whitehall Capitol: a slimmer classic
The Whitehall Capitol Mailbox Side Plaque Package is narrower than the Balmoral at 9.7 x 13 x 20.4 inches, in black/gold, bronze/gold or white/gold. Side plaques take five 3-inch numbers on top and up to sixteen 1.25-inch characters below. It is listed as approved by the Postmaster General.
The Capitol is the box to choose if you also want a front door plaque or a two-sided topper. The Mayne Liberty Mail Post & Personalized Custom Streetside Mailbox Package pairs it with a white or black polyethylene post that slides over a 4x4 wood post, with optional plaques, door plaque and topper.
Whitehall Wall Mailbox: personalized wall mount
If your carrier delivers to the door, Whitehall's Wall Mailbox Package (cast aluminum, with a personalized plaque and a locking insert) is the matching option, but it currently shows as sold out. Until it is back, pair a wall mount mailbox with a matching Whitehall address plaque on the wall beside it.
Balmoral vs Capitol: quick comparison
| Balmoral | Capitol | |
|---|---|---|
| Mailbox size (H x W x D) | 13 x 13.7 x 21.25 in | 13 x 9.7 x 20.4 in |
| Side plaque, one line | Five 4.5-inch characters | Five 4.5-inch characters (Liberty package) |
| Side plaque, two lines | Five 3-inch numbers + sixteen 1.25-inch characters | Five 3-inch numbers + sixteen 1.25-inch characters |
| Front personalization | One-character monogram | Door plaque, up to five characters |
| Material | Sand-cast aluminum, Alumi-Shield coating | Sand-cast aluminum, Alumi-Shield coating |
| USPS | Approved by the Postmaster General | Approved by the Postmaster General |
See the full Whitehall range for multi-box packages, posts and accessories.
How long does a personalized mailbox take?
Personalized Whitehall mailboxes and plaques are made to order: each one is produced for your address after you order, so it takes longer than an in-stock box. Allow extra time if you need it for a move-in date or a spring project, and check the product page for the current lead time.
Because each one is made for you, double-check spelling, numbers and line choice before you order. Made-to-order items generally cannot be returned, and a cancellation fee may apply once manufacturing has started.
Do personalized mailboxes need USPS approval?
Personalization does not change the rules. A curbside mailbox should be an approved design, and USPS says a custom-made box must meet the Postmaster General's standards (see USPS mailbox guidelines); a custom-built box also needs your local postmaster's approval. The Whitehall boxes above are listed as approved. Placement rules still apply: 41 to 45 inches from the road surface to the bottom of the box or point of mail entry, with the door 6 to 8 inches back from the front face of the curb or road edge. Our USPS mailbox requirements guide has the details.
Custom mailbox ideas
- Family name on the bottom line for a welcoming touch.
- Match the finish to your front door hardware: bronze/gold with brass, black/silver with brushed nickel.
- Add a plant hanger to a Balmoral post for seasonal flowers.
- Coordinate the whole entry with a matching plaque on the house.
Shop
Browse custom mailboxes and address plaques. Not sure which layout fits your address? Contact us before you order and we will help you plan it.
Frequently asked questions
What is a personalized mailbox?
A mailbox with your details added, usually your house number and street or family name on cast side plaques, sometimes with a monogram or matching topper. Whitehall's cast aluminum boxes are the best-known example.
How many characters fit on a Whitehall side plaque?
On the Balmoral and Capitol, a two-line plaque holds up to five 3-inch numbers on top and up to sixteen 1.25-inch characters below. A one-line plaque holds up to five 4.5-inch characters. Check the product page for your model.
Are personalized mailboxes USPS approved?
Whitehall's Balmoral and Capitol boxes are listed as approved by the Postmaster General. A homemade or custom-built box must meet the same standards, so show it to your local postmaster first.
How long do custom mailboxes take to arrive?
They are made to order, so they take longer than in-stock boxes. Check the product page for the current lead time and allow extra time before a deadline.
Can I return a personalized mailbox?
Made-to-order items generally cannot be returned, and a cancellation fee may apply once production starts. Check spelling and layout carefully before ordering.
What size numbers should a mailbox have?
Use the largest your plaque allows for the house number. Sign makers estimate 3-inch letters are readable from about 30 feet. Many towns require at least 4-inch numbers on the house itself.
******It is always recommended to contact your local postmaster prior to installation. While most of our mailboxes are USPS-approved your local postmaster may have specific preferences in terms of mailbox types and installation location******