If you’ve been digging through a kitchen junk drawer looking for a stray stamp to mail a birthday card, you’ve probably realized something annoying. The price of mailing a letter isn't what it used to be. Not even close.
Honestly, it feels like every time we turn around, the U.S. Postal Service is bumping the price up by a few cents. It’s enough to make you wonder if you should just start hand-delivering your mail.
As of January 2026, a standard book of 20 Forever stamps costs $15.60.
That breaks down to 78 cents per individual stamp. It’s a bit of a jump from where we were just a year or two ago. If you remember paying $12 or $13 for a book, you aren't imagining things; the prices have been on a steady climb thanks to a long-term plan the USPS has been following to fix its budget.
The Current Price Breakdown
Most people don't just buy one stamp. We buy the "book." In the postal world, that’s almost always a sheet or booklet of 20.
- Single Forever Stamp: $0.78
- Book of 20 Stamps: $15.60
- Coil of 100 Stamps: $78.00
There’s a bit of good news, though. While shipping rates for big packages (like Priority Mail and Ground Advantage) just went up again on January 18, 2026, the price for a standard first-class letter stayed flat for the start of the year. Postmaster General David Steiner actually announced back in late 2025 that they’d forgo a price hike on stamps for the January cycle.
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But don't get too comfortable. Word on the street—and by that, I mean the official USPS "Delivering for America" plan—is that another increase is likely coming in mid-2026.
Wait, What Is a Forever Stamp Exactly?
You've probably seen the word "Forever" printed on the corner of your stamps instead of a number. This was basically the smartest thing the post office ever did for consumers.
Basically, a Forever stamp is always worth whatever the current 1-ounce letter rate is.
If you bought a book of stamps five years ago when they were 55 cents, you can still use those same stamps today to mail a letter that now costs 78 cents. You don't have to add those tiny, annoying 1-cent or 2-cent stamps to make up the difference.
If you’re worried about prices going up again this summer, buying a few extra books right now is actually a decent way to save a few bucks. It’s like a tiny, paper-based investment.
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Why Do Prices Keep Going Up?
It’s easy to get frustrated when things get more expensive, but the USPS is in a tough spot. They’ve been losing billions of dollars for years. Part of the reason is that we just don't mail as many letters as we used to. Why send a bill through the mail when you can pay it on your phone in three seconds?
To keep the lights on, they’ve moved to a "twice-a-year" price adjustment schedule. Usually, they look at the numbers in January and July.
The goal of the current administration is to reach "financial stability." Whether that actually happens remains to be seen, but for now, it means we should probably expect the cost of a book of stamps to flirt with the $16 or $17 mark by this time next year.
Where to Buy Stamps (Without the Line)
You don't actually have to go to the post office and stand behind someone trying to mail a car tire to Germany. There are way easier ways to get your hands on a book.
1. The Grocery Store
Most major chains like Kroger, Publix, Safeway, or Wegmans sell books of stamps at the checkout or the customer service desk. They charge the exact same price as the post office.
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2. Pharmacies
CVS and Walgreens are usually stocked up. Just ask the cashier.
3. Online
You can buy them directly from the USPS website. They have way cooler designs online than you’ll usually find in person—think Star Wars, National Parks, or those cool "Love" birds they just released for 2026. Just keep in mind they usually charge a small shipping fee.
4. Big Box Stores
Costco and Sam’s Club often sell stamps, but they usually sell them in larger quantities, like coils of 100. Sometimes you might save a few pennies or just get the convenience of not having to buy them again for three years.
Watch Out for Stamp Scams
This is a weird one, but it's becoming a huge problem. If you see an ad on social media or a random website offering "Discount Forever Stamps" at 50% off, do not buy them. The USPS does not discount its stamps. Those "deals" are almost always counterfeit stamps printed overseas. If you use them, there’s a good chance the post office’s sorting machines will flag them, and your letter will either be returned to you or delivered to your recipient with a "Postage Due" bill. Not a great look for a wedding invite or a thank-you note.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check your stash: Look through your desk drawers for any older Forever stamps. They are still valid and worth 78 cents each today.
- Buy now, save later: Since another rate hike is expected in mid-2026, grab a book or two now to lock in the 78-cent rate.
- Verify your mail: If your envelope is heavy (over 1 ounce) or feels rigid/lumpy, one stamp won't cut it. You'll need "additional ounce" postage, which currently costs 29 cents per extra ounce.
- Use the Kiosks: If you do end up at the post office, use the Self-Service Kiosks. They are open 24/7 in most lobbies and let you buy exactly what you need without waiting for a clerk.