Postcard vs. Email — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 9, 2024
A postcard is a physical card often sent by mail to convey greetings, while an email is an electronic message delivered quickly over the internet. Both serve communication purposes but differ in format and speed.
Difference Between Postcard and Email
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Postcards are physical cards sent through traditional mail, often used to share travel experiences or greetings. Emails, on the other hand, are electronic messages sent via the internet, providing instant communication.
Sending a postcard involves purchasing a card, writing a message by hand, and mailing it, usually requiring a postage fee. Email, by contrast, is typed on a computer or phone and is generally free to send.
Postcards have a tangible aspect, often featuring images and requiring physical handling. Emails, conversely, are digital, allowing text, attachments, and links to be sent electronically.
Postcards can take days or weeks to reach the recipient, adding a personal touch. Meanwhile, emails are instantaneous, enabling immediate exchanges.
Postcards are sometimes considered more sentimental due to their handwritten nature and the effort involved in sending them. Emails are more practical for quick, efficient communication.
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Comparison Chart
Delivery Method
Physical mail
Internet
Format
Physical card
Digital message
Speed
Days to weeks
Instant
Personalization
Handwritten, requires postage
Typed, can include attachments
Cost
Purchase and postage
Usually free
Compare with Definitions
Postcard
A card for sending messages without an envelope.
She sent a colorful postcard from Italy.
A digital message sent over the internet.
I received an important email from my boss.
Postcard
Often features a photograph or artwork.
The postcard displayed a scenic beach view.
Allows attachments like documents and images.
The email included an attached report.
Postcard
Typically has limited space for a short message.
The postcard only had room for a quick note.
Can be sent instantly to multiple recipients.
She sent a group email to her coworkers.
Postcard
Commonly used for travel or souvenir purposes.
Tourists purchased postcards from the gift shop.
Often organized into folders or categories.
His inbox had separate folders for work and personal emails.
Postcard
Requires a stamp and recipient's address.
He forgot to write the address on the postcard.
Requires an email address and a device with internet.
You need a valid email address to sign up.
Postcard
A postcard or post card is a piece of thick paper or thin cardboard, typically rectangular, intended for writing and mailing without an envelope. Non-rectangular shapes may also be used but are rare.
Electronic mail (email or e-mail) is a method of exchanging messages ("mail") between people using electronic devices. Email entered limited use in the 1960s, but users could only send to users of the same computer.
Postcard
A printed card with space on one side for an address and a postage stamp, used for sending a short message through the mail.
Messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network
Reading email has become the first task of the morning
Email messages
Postcard
See postal card.
Send an email to (someone)
You can email me at my normal address
Call, fax, or email for a free demo
Postcard
A rectangular piece of thick paper or thin cardboard intended to be written on and mailed without an envelope. In the case of a picture postcard one side carries a picture or photograph.
A system for sending and receiving messages electronically over a computer network.
Postcard
(transitive) To send a postcard to.
To postcard one's friends
A message or messages sent or received by such a system.
Postcard
(transitive) To send by means of a postcard.
To postcard one's news
To send (someone) an email
I'll email you when I know my schedule.
Postcard
A card for sending messages by post without an envelope
To send (a message) by email.
(uncountable) A system for transferring messages from one computer to another, usually through a network.
Snail mail
He sent me his details via email.
The advent of email has simultaneously brought our society closer together and farther apart.
(uncountable) A quantity of messages sent through an email system.
I am searching through my old email.
My inbox used to allow only 50 MB of email at a time until last year, when they upgraded it to 2 GBs!
(countable) A message sent through an email system.
He sent me an email last week to remind me about the meeting.
I archive my old emails using a cloud-based service.
An email address.
What’s your email?
Don’t send personal messages to my work email.
(transitive) To send an email or emails to.
She emailed me last week, asking about the status of the project.
To send (something) through email.
I’ll email you the link.
He emailed the file out to everyone.
(intransitive) To send, or compose and send, an email or emails.
Most teenagers seem to spend almost the whole day emailing and surfing the Web.
(computer science) a system of world-wide electronic communication in which a computer user can compose a message at one terminal that is generated at the recipient's terminal when he logs in
Communicate electronically on the computer;
She e-mailed me the good news
Common Curiosities
Can you send images with a postcard and an email?
Yes, postcards often feature printed images, whereas emails can attach digital photos.
Are postcards still popular today?
While less common than before, postcards remain popular for sharing travel experiences and as souvenirs.
Do postcards and emails offer the same level of personalization?
Not quite. Postcards tend to offer more personalization due to handwritten notes and unique stamps, while emails can be personalized with fonts, templates, and signatures.
Which one is more suitable for business communication?
Email is generally better for business communication due to its speed and ability to attach files.
Is sending an email free?
Yes, sending an email is generally free, while postcards require postage.
Do both postcards and emails require an address?
Yes, but in different forms. A postcard needs a physical mailing address, while an email requires an electronic email address.
Which one is more secure: a postcard or an email?
Emails can be encrypted and are generally more secure than postcards, which are visible to anyone who handles them during delivery.
Is an email always preferable to a postcard for time-sensitive messages?
Yes, an email's instant delivery makes it more suitable for urgent communication compared to a postcard's slower delivery.
Which is faster, a postcard or an email?
An email is much faster, typically delivered instantly compared to the days or weeks it can take for a postcard to arrive.
Do postcards and emails have tracking options?
Emails can confirm delivery via read receipts, while postcards generally don't have tracking unless sent via specialized services.
Can a postcard reach multiple recipients like an email?
No, a postcard is traditionally sent to one recipient at a time, whereas an email can reach multiple people simultaneously.
Do emails have character or size limits like postcards?
Not usually. While postcards have a limited writing space, emails generally have generous or unlimited character limits, allowing for more detailed messages.
Can postcards or emails be delivered internationally?
Yes, both can be sent internationally. Postcards will take longer, while emails can reach recipients across borders almost instantly.
Which is better for sharing memories: a postcard or an email?
It depends on preference. Postcards offer a tangible keepsake, while emails can easily store and share multiple images and messages.
Can both postcards and emails include artistic or creative designs?
Yes, postcards are often artistic in design, while emails can incorporate creative HTML layouts and embedded media.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
