You're standing at the kitchen counter with a birthday card, an RSVP for a wedding, or maybe a bill that—for some reason—still can't be paid online. You need to know how much is a stamp to send a letter before you hunt for one in that junk drawer. It used to be simple. You’d buy a sheet of stamps, they’d last five years, and the price barely budged.
Now? It feels like the United States Postal Service (USPS) raises rates every time you turn around.
As of early 2026, the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is 73 cents.
Wait. Let's pause. If you are reading this and still have "Forever" stamps you bought back when they were 58 cents or 66 cents, you are in luck. They still work. That is the whole point of the "Forever" branding. But if you are heading to the post office window today to buy a single stamp for a standard one-ounce envelope, you are dropping 73 cents.
The "Delivering for America" Plan and Your Wallet
Why is this happening so fast? It’s not just "inflation" in a general sense. Postmaster General Louis DeJoy implemented a 10-year plan called "Delivering for America" back in 2021. The goal was to keep the USPS from collapsing under billions in debt. Part of that plan involves frequent, predictable price hikes. Basically, they decided to stop being shy about asking for more money to cover the skyrocketing costs of gas, labor, and maintenance for those Grumman LLV trucks that look like they belong in a 1980s sitcom.
It's a weird time for mail.
People send fewer letters, so the USPS raises prices to make up for the lost volume. But then the higher prices make people want to send even fewer letters. It’s a bit of a cycle. Honestly, for the average person sending three letters a month, an extra nickel per stamp isn't going to break the bank. But for small businesses mailing thousands of invoices or marketing flyers, these tiny increments are a massive headache.
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Breaking Down the Specific Costs
Not every piece of mail is a standard letter. If you’re sending something slightly "off," the 73-cent price tag might not apply.
First, consider the Postcard. People forget these exist. If you’re mailing a standard rectangular postcard, you don’t need a full 73-cent stamp. The current rate for a postcard stamp is 56 cents. You save 17 cents. It adds up if you're sending out "Save the Date" cards for a 200-person wedding.
Then there is the "extra ounce" rule. A standard Forever stamp covers one ounce. That is roughly four sheets of standard printer paper in a legal-sized envelope. If you add a fifth sheet or a heavy cardstock insert, you’ve probably crossed into the two-ounce territory. You don’t need two Forever stamps for that. That would be overkill. Instead, you pay the "additional ounce" rate, which is currently 24 cents.
So, a two-ounce letter costs $0.97.
What if your envelope is square? Or really thick? Or has a rigid clasp? The USPS calls this "non-machinable." If it can't go through their automated sorting machines without ripping or jamming, they charge a surcharge. That surcharge is usually around 46 cents on top of the base postage. If you try to sneak a square wedding invitation through with a single stamp, it might show up at your friend's house with a "Postage Due" stamp on it. That is embarrassing. Don't do that.
International Mail: Sending a Letter Across the Ocean
If you are mailing a letter to a friend in London, Tokyo, or Mexico City, the 73-cent stamp won't get it past the border. For international mail, you need a Global Forever Stamp.
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Currently, a Global Forever stamp costs $1.65.
The cool thing is that this price is uniform. It doesn't matter if the letter is going to Canada or Australia; it’s $1.65 for a one-ounce letter. Just like the domestic version, if you bought these a year ago for $1.55, they are still valid. They "value up" to whatever the current rate is.
Where to Actually Buy Stamps Without a Line
Most people hate going to the post office. The fluorescent lighting is depressing and the lines are always longest when you’re in a rush.
You have better options.
- Grocery Stores: Most major chains like Kroger, Publix, or Safeway sell books of stamps at the customer service desk or right at the register.
- Pharmacies: CVS and Walgreens almost always have them.
- Online: You can buy them directly from the USPS website, but you’ll pay a small shipping fee.
- ATMs: Some banks, like Wells Fargo, actually sell stamps through their ATMs. It's incredibly convenient.
One word of caution: Avoid "discount" stamp websites. If you see an ad on social media offering "Forever Stamps at 50% Off," it is a scam. Period. There is no such thing as a wholesale discount on postage for the general public. These sites sell high-quality counterfeits. While they might look real to you, the USPS uses UV scanners and sophisticated sorting technology. If they catch a counterfeit stamp, they can seize the mail, and in some cases, federal investigators actually track the source. Saving 30 dollars on a coil of stamps isn't worth a visit from a postal inspector.
How to Save Money on Postage
If you’re wondering how much is a stamp to send a letter because you’re looking to cut costs, there are a few legitimate ways to optimize.
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First, check the weight. Buy a cheap digital kitchen scale. If you are right on the edge of one ounce, you might be able to trim the margins of your paper or use a lighter envelope to stay under the limit.
Second, use the right "class." If it isn't urgent, some businesses use Marketing Mail (formerly "bulk mail"), though that requires a permit and a minimum of 200 pieces. For the average person, the best "hack" is simply buying Forever stamps before the scheduled price increases. The USPS usually announces rate hikes months in advance. If you buy five coils of 100 stamps the week before a price jump, you've essentially locked in a 5% to 8% return on your money.
Third, consider the postcard. If you’re just sending a quick "thank you" or a holiday greeting, a postcard is significantly cheaper and doesn't require an envelope.
The Future of the Stamp
We are moving toward a world where the physical stamp might become a niche item, like a vinyl record. But for now, it remains the most reliable way to send a legal document or a heartfelt note. The USPS is legally obligated to deliver to every address in the United States, from the bottom of the Grand Canyon (carried by mules) to the highest floors of Manhattan skyscrapers. That 73 cents buys you access to a massive, complex network of humans and machines that works 24/7.
When you think about it that way, 73 cents is actually a bit of a bargain.
Actionable Next Steps for You
Check your current stash. If you have any stamps without a monetary value printed on them that say "Forever," you are good to go regardless of when you bought them. If you have old stamps with 44 cents or 50 cents printed on them, you'll need to buy "cent stamps" (1-cent, 2-cent, or 10-cent denominations) to make up the difference to reach the current 73-cent requirement.
If you have a big mailing project coming up—like graduation announcements or holiday cards—buy your stamps now. The USPS has indicated they will likely continue to review and potentially raise rates twice a year, usually in January and July. Staying ahead of that calendar is the easiest way to keep your mailing costs down. Lastly, always verify the weight of anything thicker than a standard letter to avoid the dreaded "Return to Sender" yellow sticker.