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How much is a stamp? USPS letter postage.
Enter the weight of your letter to see exactly how much postage it needs, stamped or metered, straight from the Notice 123 price list.
A stamp for a standard 1 oz letter is $0.82. Each extra ounce adds $0.29 up to 3 oz ($1.40), and 3.5 oz is $1.69. A postcard is $0.65.
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Postage
Enter the details to see the postage.
USPS first-class letter postage by ounce
| Weight | Stamped | Metered / online |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 oz | $0.82 | $0.78 |
| Up to 2 oz | $1.11 | $1.07 |
| Up to 3 oz | $1.40 | $1.36 |
| Up to 3.5 oz | $1.69 | $1.65 |
Postcards are $0.65. Letters that weigh more than 3.5 oz are charged large envelope (flat) prices, which start at $1.69 for 1 oz; see large envelope postage rates.
What makes a letter nonmachinable?
Notice 123 charges a $0.49 surcharge on a letter-size piece that has one or more nonmachinable characteristics. DMM 101.1.2 lists them, including: an aspect ratio (length divided by height) below 1.3 or above 2.5; being polybagged, wrapped in plastic or having a non-paper exterior; clasps, strings or buttons; items such as keys or coins that make the thickness uneven; being too rigid; being under 0.009 inch thick when more than 6 inches long or 4-1/4 inches high; and an address parallel to the shorter side. The surcharge is on top of the weight price.
Where to buy stamps
Buy stamps from USPS directly at usps.com or at a Post Office. Make sure the stamps on your envelope add up to at least the postage shown above.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a stamp right now?
A stamp for a standard letter up to 1 oz costs $0.82 under Notice 123 effective October 4, 2026. Metered or online postage for the same letter is $0.78.
How much postage do I need for a 2 oz or 3 oz letter?
Up to 2 oz is $1.11 and up to 3 oz is $1.40. Each extra ounce adds $0.29 through 3.5 oz ($1.69). Above 3.5 oz the large envelope prices apply.
How much is a postcard stamp?
A domestic postcard is $0.65. See the postcard stamp price page for international postcards and the card size and thickness rules.
What is the nonmachinable surcharge?
A $0.49 surcharge added to the letter price when the piece has a nonmachinable characteristic listed in DMM 101.1.2, such as an aspect ratio outside 1.3 to 2.5, a plastic or non-paper exterior, clasps or strings, uneven thickness from keys or coins, or being too rigid (Notice 123, First-Class Mail retail, note 1).
When do USPS prices change?
USPS usually updates its prices in January and July and can also change them at other times. This page is built from Notice 123 effective October 4, 2026. Check the effective date at the top of the official Notice 123; if a newer one is in force, use its figures.
Sources
Checked
- USPS Notice 123, Price List (HTML), effective October 4, 2026
- USPS Notice 123, Price List (PDF)
- DMM 101: retail letter, flat and card physical standards (1.2 nonmachinable criteria)
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Prices change: check the date
These figures are USPS list prices from Notice 123 (Price List), effective October 4, 2026, read on 18 October 2026. USPS usually updates prices in January and July and can change them at other times, so if today is after a newer Notice 123 took effect, the official notice wins. Extra services (insurance, tracking add-ons, signature, pickup) and taxes are not included.