You’re standing at the kiosk, digging through your wallet for a couple of loose quarters, thinking you’ve got enough for a quick letter to your grandmother. Then you see the screen. It hits you. The price of US stamps isn't what it was last summer, and it certainly isn't what it was three years ago.
Prices are moving. Fast.
Honestly, the days of a slow, incremental penny-increase every few years are long gone. We are currently living through a period of aggressive "Price Yield Management" by the United States Postal Service (USPS). If you feel like you're paying more just to send a "Thank You" card, you aren't imagining things. As of January 2026, the cost of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp has settled at a rate that would have seemed unthinkable a decade ago. It's a fundamental shift in how the government views the value of physical mail delivery in a digital-first world.
Understanding the Current Price of US Stamps
So, let's get into the weeds. Right now, a standard First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs 73 cents.
Wait. Let's look back. It was only 68 cents in early 2024. Then it jumped to 73 cents in July 2024. The USPS, under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, has been incredibly vocal about the "Delivering for America" plan. This is a 10-year strategy designed to pull the agency out of a deep financial hole. Basically, they're trying to achieve self-sufficiency, but the cost of that transition is being passed directly to the consumer at the stamp counter.
What about the other mail?
It’s not just letters. If you're sending a postcard—maybe you’re one of the few people still doing that from vacation—you’re looking at 56 cents. International letters? That’s a whole different ballgame. A Global Forever stamp will now set you back $1.65.
- Standard Letters (1 oz): 73 cents
- Postcards: 56 cents
- International Letters: $1.65
- Additional Ounce: 24 cents
Interestingly, the price of an additional ounce has remained relatively stable compared to the base rate. If you have a heavy wedding invitation, that extra 24 cents feels like a bargain compared to the initial 73-cent jump.
Why the USPS Keeps Hiking Rates
The "why" is complicated. It's a mix of inflation, declining mail volume, and a massive 2006 mandate that required the USPS to pre-fund retiree health benefits decades in advance. While the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022 fixed some of those balance sheet nightmares, the agency still operates at a loss.
Fewer people send letters. Everyone sends emails. Or DMs. Or Slacks.
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Because the "density" of mail is dropping—meaning a mail carrier has to walk the same distance to deliver three letters instead of ten—the cost per letter skyrocketed. To combat this, the USPS now uses a "bi-annual" price adjustment schedule. They basically check the inflation numbers twice a year and adjust the price of US stamps accordingly.
It’s predictable, yet frustrating.
The DeJoy Strategy
Louis DeJoy has been a polarizing figure. His critics argue that higher prices and slower delivery standards are killing the service. His supporters, however, point to the fact that the USPS was on a "collision course with bankruptcy." By raising the price of US stamps, the agency is generating billions in additional revenue. They are also investing that money into new electric delivery vehicles and regional sorting hubs.
Is it working? It depends on who you ask. The "Delivering for America" plan assumes that people will keep paying for stamps because there is no real private-sector alternative for a 73-cent letter. FedEx and UPS won't touch a single envelope for less than ten bucks.
The "Forever" Loophole: Your Best Financial Move
If you want to beat the system, buy in bulk.
The "Forever" stamp was introduced in 2007, and it was the smartest thing the USPS ever did for consumers. When you buy a Forever stamp today at the current price of US stamps, it is valid for a one-ounce letter for... well, forever.
If the price goes up to 80 cents next year, your 73-cent stamp still works.
I’ve seen people buy "coils" of 100 stamps right before a scheduled price hike. It’s a small win, but if you run a small business or send out a lot of holiday cards, you're essentially getting a guaranteed 5-10% return on your money. That's better than most savings accounts. Just make sure you’re buying from a legitimate source.
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Warning: The Rise of Counterfeit Stamps
This is a weirdly specific crime that has exploded lately. Because the price of US stamps is rising, social media ads are everywhere promising "Cheap Stamps" or "50% Off Forever Stamps."
Don't do it.
The USPS does not discount stamps. If you see an ad for a roll of 100 stamps for $30, they are 100% counterfeit. These are usually high-quality prints coming from overseas. If the USPS sorting machines catch a counterfeit stamp on your envelope, they won't just return it; they might seize it or charge the recipient "postage due." Worse, using them is technically a federal offense. Stick to the post office, Costco, or reputable grocery stores.
Historical Context: How We Got Here
It’s easy to complain about 73 cents, but let’s look at history. In 1958, a stamp was 4 cents. By 1971, it was 8 cents. By the time we hit the mid-90s, it was 32 cents.
When you adjust for inflation, the price of US stamps today is actually fairly consistent with the costs in the 1970s. The problem is the speed of the recent increases. We went from 55 cents to 73 cents in a very short window. That's the "sticker shock" factor.
- 1975: 10 cents
- 1985: 22 cents
- 1995: 32 cents
- 2005: 37 cents
- 2015: 49 cents
- 2025: 73 cents
The curve is getting steeper.
Does the Price Impact Service?
There’s a common misconception that paying more for a stamp means your letter gets there faster. That’s not really the case. In fact, as part of the cost-saving measures, the USPS actually expanded the "delivery window" for First-Class mail. A letter that used to take two days might now take three or four.
You’re paying more for a service that is, by design, slightly slower than it used to be. The USPS argues this allows them to use more ground transportation (trucks) instead of expensive air cargo.
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How to Save on Postage and Shipping
If you’re frustrated by the price of US stamps, you have to change how you ship. For letters, there's no way around the stamp. But for packages, the "retail" price you pay at the post office counter is almost always a rip-off.
Use third-party platforms like Pirate Ship or Stamps.com. These sites give you access to "Commercial Pricing," which is significantly lower than what you see on the screen at the post office. Sometimes the difference is $2 or $3 per package.
Also, look into "Media Mail." If you're shipping books, printed music, or educational materials, the rates are incredibly low. You can ship a heavy box of books for a fraction of the cost of a standard box, provided you don't mind it taking a week to arrive.
The Future of Mailing Costs
Will the price of US stamps ever hit a dollar?
Almost certainly. At the current rate of increases, we could see a $1.00 Forever stamp by the end of the decade. The USPS is trying to find the "ceiling"—the point where people stop using the mail entirely. But for things like legal documents, birthday cards, and voting ballots, the mail remains an essential service.
It’s a monopoly, but a regulated one. The Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has to approve these hikes, but lately, they’ve been giving the USPS a lot of leeway to keep the lights on.
Real-World Strategy for Consumers
If you want to manage these rising costs effectively, stop buying stamps one by one. It’s a waste of time and gas.
- Audit your mailings: Do you really need to mail that bill? Most utilities offer a small credit for switching to paperless billing. You save 73 cents on the stamp and maybe a couple of bucks on the bill itself.
- Stock up now: If you hear a rumor of a price hike (usually announced in April and October), go to the store and buy three or four books of Forever stamps.
- Check your weights: Don't guess. If a letter feels heavy, weigh it. Using two stamps (Total: $1.46) on a letter that only needed one stamp plus an additional ounce (Total: $0.97) is a common way people lose money.
The price of US stamps is a reflection of a changing economy. It’s no longer a cheap government subsidy; it’s a premium service for physical delivery in a digital age. Treat it as such. Buy your stamps in bulk, understand the schedule of increases, and use technology to bypass the post office whenever it makes sense.
The next price adjustment is likely just around the corner, so checking the current rates at USPS.com before you head out is always a smart move. Or just buy the Forever stamps and stop worrying about the pennies.
Final Steps for Smart Mailing
- Check your current stamp stash for "Forever" markings; if they have them, they are valid regardless of the current 73-cent rate.
- If you have old "cent-denominated" stamps (like 32-cent stamps), you can still use them, but you must add "make-up" stamps to reach the current 73-cent total.
- Transition your outbound billing to digital to save an average of $8-$10 per year in postage alone.
- For any package over 13 ounces, avoid the retail counter and use a digital shipping labels service to save up to 40% on Priority Mail.
The USPS remains the only organization that can legally put something in your mailbox. That's a powerful position, and as long as they hold that right, the price of entry will continue to climb. Stay informed, buy ahead, and you'll navigate these price hikes without much stress.