A letter is a written message from one party to another. Letters are usually intended to be received by someone far away. Before widespread availability of typewriters and computers, letters were always written by hand. Nowadays, that is still done, mainly for informal letters. The term letter is sometimes used for e-mail messages with a formal letter-like format.

Letters may be delivered by a postal service after a payment is made, e.g., a stamp has been bought and pasted on the envelope containing the letter.

Types of letters

• Chain letter
• Junk mail
• Open letter
• Letters patent
• Letter of marque
• Letter of Credence
• Letter of credit
• Epistle
• Business letter
• Love letter

See also

• Address
• Envelope
• How to write a good letter
• Lettrisme
• Letterbox
• Mail
• Manuscript
• Penpal
• Postmaster
• Postmaster General
• Post office
• Postage stamp
• Private Express Statutes
• Snail mail
• Stationery
• Typography
• Universal Postal Union