Welcome to the U.S. Postal Service Household Diary Study website! We hope you find the information presented here helpful. If you have additional questions about the study after visiting this site, please call our toll-free hotline at 1-888-441-USPS (8777) between 11am – 9pm Central Time, or e-mail us at hotline-usps@nustats.com.

What is the Household Diary Study?

The Household Diary Study (HDS) examines the volume and types of mail that U.S. residents send and receive. The U.S. Postal Service collects data on mail classes, mail contents by class, mail flow between mailing sectors, mail flow by industry, as well as other types of data. These data provide a better understanding of mail usage by households and are an important element of USPS’ planning and market research activities

The study, conducted annually since 1987, examines not only the volume and types of mail sent to and from U.S. households, but also the adoption and use of electronic communications technologies such as e-mail, online shopping, and online bill payment. Given that many American households now routinely use these electronic technologies, the study focuses on how and the extent to which the adoption and use of technologies affect traditional mail volume.

Each year, about 5,000 randomly selected households participate in the study. Participants will be asked to first take a general survey about mail usage (online or over the phone). Then, they will be asked to record, either online or on paper diaries, all the mail they sent and received over one week. Technical support is also available by email or calling our toll-free survey hotline.

In appreciation of your time and effort for completing the study, you will receive as a gift of $50 after the completed diary is returned and processed. You should expect to receive your gift in about 10-12 weeks.

REMEMBER: All the information you provide will be kept strictly confidential, in accordance with the Code of Standards and Ethics for Survey Research Organizations established by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations. We will not provide your information to anyone not affiliated with the project. Furthermore, your individual household information will only be used in combination with the other 5,300 households so that no single household can be identified.

Selection of Households

Because it is not cost-effective to survey every single household in the United States, the Household Diary Study is only administered to a small sample of households. Each year, we generate a representative and random sample of households from the Master Address List maintained by U.S. Postal Service. These listings are then organized according to four regions and three county "types", resulting in 12 geographic categories. The regions correspond to census regions (Northeast, Midwest, South, and West), and the county "types" are based on each household's county. Counties in the 30 largest metropolitan areas are one type, counties in other metropolitan areas are another type, and the third type is rural counties.

Households are then selected at random within each of these twelve categories; the actual number of households selected from each category is based on the proportion of households within each category as the last decennial census (2020). Addresses of selected households are then matched with listed telephone numbers and are contacted for participation in the study. Those households for which no phone number can be found are mailed a letter informing them of their selection into the study along with two options for participation: 1) By contacting our data collection facility or 2) completing the recruitment interview via the Internet.

In all cases, the confidentiality of the respondent is imperative. All identifying information is removed from each sample record, and any data collected is presented as summary information only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the purpose of entering information regarding the mail we send or receive?

A1: If you chose to enter in your information in the paper dairies, your diary packet will include one diary for each day of the week Monday through Sunday. Use the diaries (Answer Booklets) to record ALL household mail that enters or leaves your household on each particular day.

For example, use the Answer Booklet for Monday to record all mail sent and received by any member of your household on Monday; use the Answer Booklet for Tuesday to record all mail sent and received by any member of your household on Tuesday; and so on.

If you chose to do it on the web or the app, you would follow the survey prompts to enter in your information for each day of the week.

The U.S. Postal Service will use this information to track mail volumes and mail types that households send and receive.

Q2. How long does it take to fill out the Answer Booklet each day?

A2: The amount of mail you receive on a given day will determine how long it takes to complete the daily information. The first day may take up to 30 minutes to complete, but for the days that follow will take less time (depending on the amount of mail you send and receive on those days). First familiarize yourself with the instructions, questions, and mail markings; this will make completing the days much easier and faster!

Q3. What are mail markings?

A3: Mail markings are the elements on each mail piece that indicate the postage paid and type of mail, e.g., First-Class, Nonprofit, Presorted Standard. Mail markings are typically located in a) the top right-hand corner of the mail piece, b) above or below the address, or c) inside the window of an envelope. Please refer to the Instruction Booklet for examples of mail markings for each mail type.

Q4: Do we include mail pieces with our completed Answer Booklets or web/app information? (In other words, do we send you our mail?)

A4: If the mail piece is something you are willing to send us and you will no longer need, then yes, please send us the entire mail piece in the daily envelopes with the completed diaries (the empty envelope, not the contents). If you choose the app to enter in your mail, you will be able to take a photo of your mail through the app. Be sure to label each mail piece with the mail piece number and mail type you assigned to it. PLEASE DO NOT CUT OUT THE INDIVIDUAL MAIL MARKINGS. Some households make copies of the outside of the mail piece and send that to us. We do not expect photocopies, though we greatly appreciate the effort.

Q5: What if there are mail markings inside a window envelope? Do I send it in?

A5: If the mail marking is on a mail piece that you don't need to keep, please send it in. If you need to keep it, please provide a description of the markings inside the window on the portion that you do send. Again, PLEASE DO NOT CUT OUT THE INDIVIDUAL MAIL MARKINGS. Alternately, you may choose to provide a photocopy, but this is not expected or required.

Q6: Is the postage paid to mail back the Answer Booklets and/or mail pieces?

A6: Yes, this postage is paid. We include a pre-paid Priority Mail envelope in your diary/web packet for returning all completed diaries and/or mail pieces. You do not need to return any of the instructional materials; please recycle according to your local rules.

Q7: Do we keep track of mail we send out?

A7: Yes, in addition to the Summary Page for each day, there are two places in the Answer Booklet/Web questions where you record mail that you (or anyone in your household) may send out:

1. First-Class Mail Sent (Purple sheet in Answer Booklet)
2. Packages and Expedited Materials Sent (Green sheet in Answer Booklet)

Q8. How do I get started?

A8: For the Daily Diaries-Start by reading the Instruction Booklet-this is an important step! The first several pages are instructions; the colored pages are simply examples of postage. We suggest you also look at the Instructional Video and Photo Quick Start for a visual overview of how to complete your diaries.

Next, sort and number each day's mail according to the type of postage (see Page 1 of the Instruction Booklet for how to sort and number your mail pieces). Then, record the number of pieces of each mail type on the Summary Page in the Answer Booklet for that day.

Third, open the Question Booklet and read the questions one by one. Write your answers in the Answer Booklet for that day. Essentially, you move back and forth between the Question and Answer booklets. For example, if you have First-Class Mail on Monday, use Monday's Answer Booklet under First-Class to record information about each piece of mail in that class.

If you choose to enter your information on the web or through the app, just follow the order of the questions.

If you need assistance , you can call our toll-free hotline at 1-888-441-USPS (8777) from 11am - 9 pm Central Standard Time, Monday through Friday. You can also email us at hotline-usps@nustats.com.

Q9: Do I record mail received from outside the United States or mail I send to other countries?

A9: Yes. Record all mail, domestic and international, sent and received by any member of your household in the Answer Booklet, the online diary, or by using the phone app.

Q10: How can I answer questions about other people's mail without opening it?

A10: Record as much information as you can without opening mail addressed to others. Ask other members of your household the questions you can't answer and record their answers. Leave anything you can't answer blank.

Q11: How do I know the mail classification (Mail Type) of my mail?

A11: Refer to the Instruction Booklet for examples of mail types under the colored sections of the (First-Class, Standard or Bulk, etc.). Please find the mail marking that is the closest match to your mail piece.

Q12: Are CATALOGS classified under Magazines, Newspapers, or Other Periodicals?

A12: Most catalogs are sent either Presorted Standard or First-Class; however, the type of postage determines the mail type, so check the mail markings to determine the correct mail type.

Q13: The return address is sometimes hard to find, particularly on magazines, newspapers, and some other types of mail. Where should I look?

A13: Return addresses on magazines are often located inside the front cover, on the title page with publishing information, or on the paper or plastic wrapper in which the magazine is shipped.

For newspapers, look for the return address information at the top of the front page, above the headline, or inside the paper near the publishing information or masthead on the editorial page.

Q14: I received notice that the postal carrier tried to deliver a package while I wasn't home and that I should pick the package up at the post office. Do I record the notice as mail received, and if so, where should I record it?

A14: Please, do NOT count the notice as mail received. Record the package as a package received on the day that you actually pick it up at the post office.

Q15: I have some personal mail sent to me at my office. Should I include that in the count of mail I receive?

A15: Yes. Please include household mail and packages received at work, but make sure NOT to include work-related mail or packages.

Q16: Some of my mail goes to a post office box, and other mail is sent to my home address. Should I count both?

A16: No. Please include ONLY the mail sent to your home address.

Need additional information?

For more information about the study, please call the Survey Hotline, or send an email to hotline-usps@nustats.com

• For information on how to complete the diary/web/app, call the toll-free survey hotline at 1-888-441-USPS (8777) 11am - 9 pm Central Time or email us at hotline-usps@nustats.com.

• For information about your thank-you gift, call the toll-free survey hotline at 1-888-441-USPS (8777) from 11am – 9pm Central time or email us at hotline-usps@nustats.com. Please allow a minimum of 10-12 weeks after mailing in your completed diaries for delivery of your gift.

• Leon Michos of the U.S. Postal Service at Leon.P.Michos@USPS.gov or call (202) 631-3066.

• To request a copy of the latest Household Diary Study report, send an e-mail to hdiary@usps.gov or go to https://www.usps.com/householddiary

• USPS Privacy Policy