You’re standing at the counter or staring at a self-service kiosk, and you just want to send a birthday card. Then you see the price. Honestly, it’s a bit of a shock lately. If you haven't checked the rates in the last few months, you're likely in for a surprise because the days of "cheap" postage are pretty much dead and buried.
So, how much is a 1st class stamp right now? As of the most recent rate adjustments in January 2026, a standard 1st Class stamp for a letter in the UK costs £1.75. If you’re in the US looking for the equivalent "1st Class" (now officially called First-Class Mail Forever stamps), you’re looking at 78 cents.
These numbers aren't static. They move. They move a lot more than they used to, and that’s mostly because the world doesn't send mail like it did in 1995.
The Price Reality of 1st Class Stamps Today
Let’s get into the weeds of the UK market first, because that’s where the price hikes have been the most aggressive. Royal Mail has been under immense pressure. They've hiked the price of a 1st Class stamp multiple times over the last couple of years. It wasn't that long ago we were talking about 1st Class stamps being under a pound. Now? We’ve blown past that.
The £1.75 price point for a standard letter (up to 100g) is a significant jump from where things stood even eighteen months ago. If you’re sending a Large Letter, the price climbs even higher, currently sitting at £2.60 for the basic 100g tier. It’s expensive. There’s no other way to put it. People are genuinely frustrated because the "next day" delivery promise that 1st Class is supposed to offer has become... let's say "aspirational" in many parts of the country.
Across the pond, the United States Postal Service (USPS) is following a similar trajectory under their "Delivering for America" 10-year plan. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy has been very clear: prices are going up to offset declining mail volume. The 78-cent price for a Forever stamp is part of a twice-yearly price hike cycle that has become the new normal.
Why does it keep getting more expensive?
It’s easy to blame corporate greed or government inefficiency, but the math is actually kind of depressing.
The volume of letters being sent has plummeted. Think about your own mailbox. It’s mostly junk, bills you forgot to switch to paperless, and the occasional wedding invitation. Because there are fewer letters to carry, the cost of maintaining the network—the vans, the sorting offices, the posties walking the streets—has to be spread across fewer stamps.
Inflation has also hit the logistics sector hard. Fuel isn't cheap. Labor costs have risen as workers rightfully demand wages that keep up with the cost of living. When you combine falling demand with rising operational costs, the "price per unit" (your stamp) has to go up.
Interestingly, Royal Mail has faced some pretty stiff criticism from Ofcom, the regulator. They’ve been called out for failing to meet delivery targets while simultaneously asking for more money. It’s a messy situation. Some experts, like those at the Citizens Advice Bureau, have pointed out that these price hikes hit the elderly and vulnerable the hardest—the people who still rely on physical mail for essential communication.
The "Forever" Loophole: A Smarter Way to Buy
If you’re annoyed by the price hikes, there is a way to beat the system, but you have to be proactive.
In the US, "Forever" stamps are exactly what they sound like. If you buy them today at 78 cents, they are valid for a 1-ounce letter forever. Even if the price jumps to a dollar next year, that stamp you bought today still covers the postage. It’s basically a micro-investment.
In the UK, the transition to barcoded stamps changed the game slightly. You can still buy 1st Class stamps that don't have a price printed on them (they just say "1st"). These function similarly to Forever stamps. If you buy a book of 1st Class stamps today, and the price goes up by 20p next month, your old stamps are still perfectly valid for 1st Class delivery without you needing to add "top-up" postage.
Pro Tip: Whenever a price increase is announced (usually a few weeks before it happens), go to the supermarket or post office and buy two or three books of stamps. You're effectively locking in the current price for the next year’s worth of Christmas cards and birthdays.
Letter vs. Large Letter: Don't Get Caught Out
One of the biggest mistakes people make—and the reason they end up with those annoying "postage underpaid" cards through their door—is misjudging the size.
A standard 1st Class stamp only covers:
- A maximum weight of 100g.
- A maximum thickness of 5mm.
- A maximum length of 240mm and width of 165mm.
If you're sending a thick greeting card (the ones with the wooden hearts or heavy glitter) or a small bunch of photos, it will likely exceed that 5mm thickness. The moment it clicks past 5mm, it’s a Large Letter. If you put a standard 1st Class stamp on a Large Letter, the recipient usually has to pay a fee plus the difference in postage to collect it. It’s an awkward way to say "Happy Birthday."
Is 1st Class actually worth it anymore?
This is the real question. 1st Class is aimed at next-day delivery, including Saturdays. 2nd Class aims for two to three working days.
Given that 2nd Class stamps in the UK are significantly cheaper—currently 85p—you have to ask if the "speed" of 1st Class is worth the premium. Honestly? Unless it’s an urgent legal document or a last-minute card, 2nd Class is usually fine. Most 2nd Class mail arrives within two days anyway.
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In the US, the distinction is less about "classes" in that way and more about "Ground Advantage" versus "Priority." But for a standard letter, you're basically locked into the First-Class rate unless you want to pay significantly more for tracking.
What's coming next for stamp prices?
The trend isn't reversing. Don't expect stamps to get cheaper.
The USPS has already signaled that they will likely continue their bi-annual price adjustments. In the UK, Royal Mail is currently lobbying the government to change the "Universal Service Obligation" (USO). They want to stop delivering letters on Saturdays and potentially move to an alternate-day delivery schedule for everything except 1st Class.
If they get their way, the 1st Class stamp might become even more of a "premium" product. You'll be paying for the privilege of the postie actually coming to your house that day.
Actionable Steps to Save Money on Postage
Stop paying full price at the last minute. It's the "convenience tax" that kills your budget.
- Audit your "Stamp Stock": Check your junk drawer. If you have old non-barcoded UK stamps, they are likely invalid now unless they are "Special Stamps" (commemoratives). You can swap them via the Royal Mail Swap Out scheme.
- Buy in Bulk Before April/October: These are the traditional windows for price hikes. If you see a news headline about a price rise, that is your signal to buy a "book of 8" or a "book of 4" immediately.
- Invest in a Small Postage Scale: If you sell on eBay or Etsy, guessing the weight is a recipe for disaster. A cheap digital scale costs less than three Large Letter stamps and will save you from overpaying or getting hit with "underpaid" fines.
- Check for "Large Letter" Dimensions: Keep a cardboard template at home with a 5mm slot. If the envelope doesn't slide through easily, don't risk a standard stamp.
- Use 2nd Class by Default: For 90% of personal mail, 1st Class is an unnecessary luxury. Switch to 2nd Class and save nearly 50% per envelope. Over a year of birthdays and holidays, that adds up to a nice dinner out.
The reality of how much a 1st class stamp costs is that it’s no longer just "pocket change." It’s a deliberate purchase. Treat it like one. If you're sending a lot of mail, look into "Franking" machines for business or using online postage providers like Click & Drop, which sometimes offer a slight discount over the physical counter price.