You’re standing at the kitchen counter with a stack of bills or a belated birthday card, and you realize you have no idea if that "Forever" stamp from three years ago is actually enough. Or maybe you're out and about, wondering if you need to dig for extra change because you heard prices went up.
Honestly, the way the United States Postal Service (USPS) moves prices around lately feels like a full-time job to track. One minute it's 60 cents, then suddenly it’s 73, and then—poof—another nickel is tacked on.
So, let's get straight to the point: how much is US postage stamp today?
As of January 2026, a standard First-Class Mail Forever stamp costs 78 cents.
If you bought a Forever stamp last summer or even five years ago, it's still good. That is the whole "Forever" promise. But if you’re standing at the kiosk right now or looking to buy a fresh book of 20, you’re looking at a $15.60 investment.
Why the Price Stayed Put (For Once)
Usually, January is the month when we all collectively sigh and pay more for stamps. It’s become a bit of a New Year’s tradition, hasn’t it? However, Postmaster General David Steiner made a somewhat surprising call for early 2026.
The USPS decided to forgo a price hike for "Market Dominant" products—which is just fancy government-speak for stamps and letters—until at least mid-year 2026.
Don't get too comfortable, though. While your letters are safe for the moment, the shipping side of the house is a different story. If you’re sending a package via Priority Mail or Ground Advantage, those rates actually did jump on January 18, 2026. Basically, the Post Office is trying to balance its books by charging more for boxes while giving our wallets a tiny break on envelopes.
The Cost of Everything Else in Your Mailbox
Letters aren't the only thing we send, and the pricing grid is kinda like a puzzle if you don't look at it often. Here is the breakdown of what you'll pay at the counter right now:
- Standard Letters (1 oz): 78 cents.
- Metered Letters: 74 cents (a little cheaper for businesses).
- Postcards: 61 cents.
- Additional Ounces: 29 cents each.
- International Letters (Global Forever): $1.70.
- Non-Machinable Surcharge: $0.49 (This is for those square wedding invitations or anything that can't go through the sorting machine).
It's interesting to look at the trajectory. Back in 2017, a stamp was only 49 cents. We’ve seen nearly a 60% increase in less than a decade. The "Delivering for America" plan is the engine behind this, aiming to pull the USPS out of the red, but it definitely makes mailing a simple "thank you" note feel like a luxury compared to a few years ago.
The "Forever" Hack
I still see people asking if they need "top-off" stamps for their old Forever stamps. You don't.
If you have a drawer full of stamps from 2012 that you bought for 45 cents, they are worth 78 cents today. They will be worth whatever the rate is in 2030, too. Honestly, if you have the cash, buying a few coils of stamps before the next rumored hike in July 2026 isn't a bad "inflation hedge," even if it only saves you a few bucks over a year.
Shipping vs. Mailing: The Big Split
What most people get wrong is grouping "stamps" and "shipping" together.
If you are a small business owner or an eBay flipper, January 2026 was actually a pretty rough month. Priority Mail went up about 6.6%, and Ground Advantage—which replaced the old First-Class Package Service—jumped by nearly 8%.
So, while how much is US postage stamp today has a "no change" answer, sending that package to your cousin across the country definitely got more expensive. A Small Flat Rate Box is now hovering around $12.65 at the retail counter.
Navigating the Post Office in 2026
If you’re trying to save a few cents, here is the move: use metered mail or online shipping platforms if you can. For letters, there isn't much wiggle room for individuals, but for anything heavier than a standard envelope, the "retail" price you pay at the actual Post Office window is almost always the highest possible price.
Using services like Pirateship or Stamps.com can often get you "Commercial Pricing," which is significantly lower than the "Retail" price. For example, a metered letter is 4 cents cheaper than a stamped letter. It doesn't sound like much, but for a business sending 1,000 invoices, that’s 40 bucks.
Quick Summary of Current Rates
Just to make sure you have the hard numbers for your records, here is the current landscape for early 2026:
First-Class Mail (Letters)
A 1-ounce letter remains 78 cents. Each additional ounce is 29 cents. If your letter is "flat" (like a large manila envelope), you're starting at $1.63.
Postcards
Still the best deal in the house at 61 cents. Just make sure it’s rectangular; the USPS machines hate square cards.
International
The Global Forever stamp is $1.70. This covers a 1-ounce letter to basically any country in the world. It’s remarkably simple compared to domestic package zones.
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Actionable Next Steps
Check your current stash. If you see the word "Forever" on your stamps, you are good to go. No extra postage is needed, regardless of when you bought them.
If you are planning a large mailing—like wedding invites or graduation announcements—calculate your weight carefully. Anything over 1 ounce or in a square envelope will require extra postage. It’s always safer to take one "prototype" envelope to the counter and have them weigh it before you stick 100 stamps on and hope for the best.
Lastly, keep an eye on May or June 2026. The USPS typically announces mid-year changes a few months in advance. Given the current trend, we can probably expect that 78-cent price to nudge upward again before the year is out.