If you’ve walked into a post office lately, you probably noticed the vibe is a little different—and your wallet definitely felt it. Honestly, keeping track of stamp prices has become a part-time job. It feels like every time we turn around, the USPS is nudging those rates up just a few more cents.
Right now, in early 2026, the standard First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs 78 cents.
That’s where we’re at. It’s a jump from the 73-cent rate we saw in early 2025, following a series of aggressive hikes that started back in 2021. But here’s the kicker: while shipping costs for packages went up again on January 18, 2026, the price of a regular letter stamp actually stayed flat for the start of the year.
Basically, the Postmaster General, David Steiner—who took the reins from Louis DeJoy in 2025—decided to hit the pause button on letter rate hikes until at least mid-2026. It's a small mercy.
What Are the Cost of Postage Stamps Right Now?
It’s not just about the Forever stamp. Mail is weirdly specific. If you’re sending a postcard or a bulky wedding invitation, the math changes.
For most of us, the 78-cent Forever stamp is the bread and butter. You buy it today, and even if the price hits a dollar in three years, that stamp still gets your letter across the country. It’s essentially an inflation-proof tiny piece of paper.
But check out these other rates currently in effect:
- Standard Postcards: You’re looking at 61 cents.
- International Letters: Sending a note to a friend in London or Tokyo? That’ll be $1.70.
- Additional Ounces: If your letter is heavy (over 1 ounce), each extra ounce adds 29 cents.
- Non-Machineable Mail: If your envelope is square, rigid, or has a string/button (looking at you, fancy invitations), it costs $1.27 because it can’t go through the automated sorters.
It’s easy to forget that "First-Class" isn't just for letters. It’s for anything that fits the weight and size limits. If you're using a meter at an office, you actually save a tiny bit, paying 74 cents instead of the full retail price.
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The Shipping Side of the Coin
If you’re mailing a package, things got pricier this week. On January 18, 2026, the USPS implemented a new round of increases for "Competitive Products." This is the stuff that competes with UPS and FedEx.
Priority Mail went up by about 6.6% on average. Priority Mail Express—the "I need it there tomorrow" option—bumped up by 5.1%. Even the budget-friendly Ground Advantage saw a 7.8% hike.
Why the split? Well, the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC) has been getting a lot of heat from consumer groups. They recently passed a rule saying the USPS can only hike "Market Dominant" prices (like stamps) once a year starting later in 2026. So, the USPS is getting their package revenue while they can.
Why Do Stamp Prices Keep Climbing?
It’s easy to get frustrated. You’re paying more for what feels like slower service. But the reality is a bit more nuanced. The USPS is currently navigating the tail end of the "Delivering for America" plan, a massive 10-year overhaul.
Inflation is the obvious villain here. Fuel for the trucks, heating for the sorting centers, and wages for thousands of employees all cost more than they did five years ago.
There's also the "death spiral" theory. As prices go up, people send less mail. As mail volume drops, the USPS loses money. To fix the loss, they raise prices again. It’s a tough cycle to break. Experts like those at the American Forest & Paper Association have warned that these frequent hikes are actually pushing commercial mailers—the ones who send millions of bills and ads—to go entirely digital.
The Role of "Forever" Stamps
When the USPS introduced Forever stamps in 2007, it was a genius move. It saved everyone the hassle of buying 1-cent and 2-cent stamps every time the rates changed.
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If you have a drawer full of "Flag" stamps from 2023 when they were 66 cents, you’re winning. You can still use them today to mail a letter that "costs" 78 cents. You don't owe the post office anything extra. This is why people tend to hoard them right before a scheduled increase.
Breaking Down the Extra Services
Sometimes a stamp isn't enough. If you’re sending something legal or high-value, you need the bells and whistles.
Certified Mail currently costs $5.30. If you want that Return Receipt (the green card that comes back to you signed), add another $4.40.
Honestly, it adds up fast. Sending a single certified letter with a return receipt now costs over ten dollars. If you’re a small business owner, these "micro-costs" aren't so micro anymore.
How to Save Money on Postage
You don't have to just take these price hikes lying down. There are a few ways to keep your mailing costs from spiraling.
First, buy in bulk before July. Since the USPS has hinted at a potential mid-year hike for 2026, stocking up on Forever stamps now is a guaranteed return on investment. It’s better than any savings account rate you’ll find.
Second, weigh your mail. Don't just guess. A letter that’s 1.1 ounces requires that extra 29-cent stamp. If you just slap two Forever stamps on it, you’re overpaying by 49 cents. Over a hundred letters, that's nearly fifty bucks.
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Third, use commercial rates. If you ship packages, never pay the "Retail" price at the counter. Services like Pirate Ship or Stamps.com give you access to commercial pricing, which can be 20% to 50% cheaper than the post office lobby price. For example, a Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope is $11.95 at the window, but only $10.30 if you print the label at home.
What to Expect Next
The current 78-cent rate is likely safe until July 2026. The Postal Regulatory Commission is keeping a closer eye on Steiner than they did on his predecessor. They want to see actual cost-cutting measures, not just more price hikes.
There’s also the "Boston 2026 World Stamp Show" coming up in May. It’s a massive event for collectors, and the USPS usually releases special high-value stamps then. While those are for collectors, they still follow the same price rules.
Check your mail pile. If you have older stamps that aren't "Forever" stamps (they’ll have a cent value printed on them like 32c or 44c), you can still use them. You just have to add "make-up" stamps to reach the current 78-cent total.
To stay ahead of the next increase, keep an eye on the USPS Postal Explorer website. They usually post official notices about 90 days before a price change takes effect. If you see a notice in April or May, you’ll know the 78-cent era is coming to an end.
Moving forward, your best bet is to audit how you send mail. Switch to digital for what you can, but for those thank-you notes and birthday cards that require a physical touch, keep a book of Forever stamps in the kitchen drawer. They are literally worth more today than they were yesterday.