Mail is the primary communication tool of the Internet so it seems logical that WoW would feature its own mail system. Also, in case you were wondering, the WoW mail system is in-game only, you cannot send mail to standard email addresses.

How do I send Mail?

Throughout the game world there are mailboxes where players can collect their mail sent to them by other players. The mailboxes are in towns and around key areas such as Inns and Banks. You have to collect your mail from a mailbox by visiting one, there is no other way to check your mail.

So why would you use mail? Mail in WoW is useful for numerous reasons besides being a way to communicate with your friends who may be offline. Not only can you send messages but you can also attach items to any mail you send. You can even mail items and cash to other characters on your account, provided they are on the same faction and same server.

There are 3 types of mail you can send in WoW:

Normal Mail: This contains a message and the recipient receives it instantly in his mailbox. This mail lasts for 30 days before it is automatically deleted.

Package: In addition to a message, you can attach an item to your mail. The recipient will receive the item in his mail after one hour of sending it. This mail (along with the item) also lasts for 30 days before it is bounced back to the sender.

Underneath the main message box there is a slot for an attachment. Open up your inventory and drag the item into the slot. This is useful for sending items from one of your characters to another (within the same faction and server).

If you do not type a subject for your email the system will automatically enter the item name as yoru email subject.

You can also send currency via the mail system by adding in the amount you wish to send into the currency denomination boxes.

Cash on Delivery (CoD): In addition to a Package mail, you may wish to receive cash in return for the item. Select the C.O.D (Cash on Delivery) option, enter the amount in gold, silver and copper and then the recipient of the mail will need to pay you that amount before they can get the item you’ve attached. Ideal for completing trades. The transfer of money is done automatically by mailing the cash back to the sender. CoD mails will last for 3 days and if it has not been opened, it’ll be returned to sender.

It costs 30 copper pieces to send any mail, regardless if there is an attachment or not, however if you set it to C.O.D., the recipient pays it (if they accept your mail). You can’t keep copies of mails that you’ve sent and you can’t forward a mail you’ve received from one person to another, but you can keep copies of mails you have received in your inventory as the game will create an letter containing the text of the mail for you if you want such an item.

There are some rules with sending mail though. You must type a Subject and the target player to send to must exist. You cannot mail conjured items, quest items or soulbound items. You cannot mail someone who has placed you on their ignore list. And finally, there IS a limit to the amount of mail you can receive in your inbox before the excess gets bounced back.

How do I receive Mail?

If you wish to check your mail you need to be at a mailbox in the game. Once the mailbox opens you will see a list of mail which you have not read or not yet deleted. Selecting the mail you wish to read will open another window to the right showing the body of the message. Read the message then reply, delete or close the mail.

An unread mail will stay in your box for 30 days after which it’s returned to sender, once you’ve read it it stays there for a further 3 days. Move the mail to you backpack and then to your bank account if you wish to keep hold of the mail. The Delete option is not available if there is an item attached to the mail; instead a Return option allows you to return the item to the sender.

If you have unread mail a small mail icon will appear next to your minimap indicating that you have new mail.

What else can I use the Mail system for?

The Auction system is also tied to the game mail system. When you win an auction the item will be sent to your mailbox for collection. Should the item you placed for auction not be sold it will be returned to your mailbox and if you were outbid in an auction you will also be notified via the mail system along with your money returned. Similarly, if you successfully sell an item, the Auction House will also send the money to you via mail. For more on auctions read our Auction page.

Where are Mailboxes located?

As mentioned earlier, mailboxes are located at key locations, which means outside every inn and bank. Inns and banks are faction specific (a Horde player will not be able to use an Alliance Bank or gain any Rest Bonus in an Alliance inn), and so are mailboxes. Mailboxes look different depending on which town/city it is in but they are all easily identifiable.

Below is a list of mailboxes that we’ve found.

Horde

• Arathi Highlands, Hammerfall, Inn
• Ashenvale: Splintertree, Inn
• Barrens: Crossroads, Inn
• Barrens: Camp Taurajo, Inn
• Desolace: Shadowprey Village, Inn
• Durotar: Razor Hill, Inn
• Durotar: Orgrimmar, Bank
• Durotar: Orgrimmar, The Drag, entrance to warrior sector
• Feralas: Camp Mojache,Inn
• Hillsbrad Foothills: Tarren Mill, Inn
• Hinterlands: Revantusk Village
• Mulgore: Bloodhoof Village, Inn
• Mulgore: Thunder Bluff, Elevation 1, Inn
• Stonetalon Mountains: Sun Rock Retreat, Inn
• Stranglethorn Vale: Grom’gol Base Camp
• Swamp of Sorrows: Stonard, Inn
• Tirisfal Glades: Undercity, #7, Trade Quarter
• Tirisfal Glades: Brill, Inn

Alliance

• Darnassus: The Inn # 8, Craftmen’s Terrace
• Dun Morogh: Ironforge, #3 The Commons
• Duskwood: Darkshire, Inn
• Elwynn Forest: Goldshire, Inn
• Elwynn Forest: Stormwind, Bank
• Redridge: Lakeshire, Inn

Both

• Barrens: Ratchet, Inn
• Stranglethorn Vale: Booty Bay, 2nd floor, Inn
• Stranglethorn Vale: Booty Bay, 1st floor, Bank
• Tanaris: Gadgetzan, Inn

To recap on Mailbox basics:

• In-game mail system only
• Costs 30 copper to send mail
• Can only attach one item (or one stack of items) per mail
• Can send money with each mail
• Can send mail to another character (but not yourself) on your account (if in same faction)
• Can drag a piece of mail to backpack to store (they do not stack)
• Can’t forward received mail to another user
• Doesn’t save copy of sent mail
• Have 30 days to read the mail, otherwise it’s returned to sender
• After reading, the mail is kept in your mailbox for 3 days
• Players on Ignore list will not be be able to send mail to those ignoring them.
• You cannot mail Soulbound, Quest or Conjured items.
• You cannot mail to players from the opposing faction.
• You cannot mail a bag containing any items.
• Can also buy gift wrapping paper from trade goods vendors and wrap up their items in a nice box before sending them to the recipient!