Scale to GramsHow Much Is a Stamp in 2026? USPS First-Class Letter Rates
Quick Answer
A USPS Forever stamp costs $0.78 in 2026 and covers any 1 oz First-Class letter. Postcards are $0.61. Each additional ounce adds $0.29. USPS adjusts rates twice a year, in January and July.
Weigh Your Letter From a PhotoForever stamp
$0.78
1 oz letter
Postcard stamp
$0.61
standard postcard
Additional ounce
+$0.29
after first oz
Current USPS Rates (2026)
These are the published USPS retail rates for the most common mail types. Forever stamps remain valid for First-Class 1-oz letters even after future price increases.
| Mail type | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Forever stamp (1 oz letter) ⭐ | $0.78 | Most common |
| Postcard stamp | $0.61 | Standard 4.25"x6" postcard |
| Additional ounce | +$0.29 | Letters over 1 oz |
| 2 oz letter | $1.07 | $0.78 + $0.29 |
| 3 oz letter | $1.36 | $0.78 + $0.58 |
| Large envelope (flat) 1 oz | $1.65 | 8.5"x11" or bigger |
| First-Class International (1 oz) | $1.65 | Global Forever stamp |
| Domestic Metered Mail (1 oz) | $0.74 | Slight discount |
How USPS Stamp Prices Are Set
USPS proposes new rates twice a year (January and July). Each new Forever stamp matches whatever the current First-Class 1 oz rate is, but unused Forever stamps stay valid forever — buy at $0.78 today and they still mail a 1 oz letter even if the rate climbs to $1.00 later.
Forever Stamp Price History
Forever stamps debuted in 2007 at $0.41. Prices have nearly doubled since then.
| Year | Price | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | $0.41 | Forever stamp introduced |
| 2010 | $0.44 | +$0.03 |
| 2014 | $0.49 | +$0.05 |
| 2019 | $0.55 | +$0.06 |
| 2022 | $0.60 | +$0.05 |
| 2023 Jan | $0.63 | +$0.03 |
| 2023 Jul | $0.66 | +$0.03 |
| 2024 Jan | $0.68 | +$0.02 |
| 2024 Jul | $0.73 | +$0.05 |
| 2025 Jul | $0.78 | +$0.05 |
| 2026 | $0.78 | No change yet |
Where to Buy Stamps
Stamps are widely available at the same retail price almost everywhere — there is no real "cheapest" option, but some places are more convenient than others.
| Source | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| USPS post office | $0.78 | Cash, card, books of 20 ($15.60) |
| USPS.com online | $0.78 | Free shipping over $50 |
| Costco / Sam's Club | $0.78 | Members only, books of 100 |
| Amazon | $0.78-0.85 | Books of 20 or 100, sometimes upcharged |
| Walgreens / CVS | $0.78 | Single books, convenient |
| Grocery store self-checkout | $0.78 | Some accept stamp purchases |
| Bulk mail (1000+ stamps) | ~$0.74 | Through Stamps.com or postage meter |
When You Need More Than One Stamp
A standard letter (5-7 sheets of regular paper in a #10 envelope) weighs about 1 oz and needs 1 Forever stamp. If you add more pages, photos, a card, or anything beyond regular paper, weigh it. Each additional ounce after the first costs $0.29 more.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a stamp cost in 2026?+
A USPS Forever stamp costs $0.78 in 2026. This is the rate set in July 2025 and still in effect at the start of 2026.
Will my old Forever stamps still work?+
Yes. Forever stamps purchased at any past price remain valid for one 1 oz First-Class letter forever. A 41-cent Forever stamp from 2007 still mails a letter today.
How much is a postcard stamp?+
A USPS Postcard stamp costs $0.61 in 2026 for a standard 4.25" x 6" postcard. Larger postcards may need First-Class letter postage.
How much postage do I need for a 2 oz letter?+
$1.07 total — one Forever stamp ($0.78) plus a $0.29 additional-ounce stamp. Or two Forever stamps if you do not have an additional-ounce stamp on hand ($1.56, with about $0.49 wasted).
Where can I buy stamps cheaper than USPS?+
You generally cannot. Retail stamp prices are fixed by USPS. The exceptions are small bulk discounts at Stamps.com or through commercial mailers, and very rare promotional pricing at some retailers.
How much does it cost to mail a letter internationally?+
A USPS Global Forever stamp costs $1.65 in 2026 and covers a 1 oz letter to almost any country. Heavier or oversized international letters cost more, depending on destination zone.
Do stamp prices ever go down?+
Almost never. The last time USPS lowered the First-Class rate was 2016 (a 2-cent rollback that lasted about a year). Otherwise, stamp prices have only gone up since 1971.
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