A Forever stamp costs $0.82 in 2026
USPS charges $0.82 to mail a 1 ounce letter with a stamp. That is the price of a Forever stamp. Each extra ounce adds $0.29, up to $1.69 for 3.5 ounces. Letters sent through a postage meter cost a little less, at $0.78.
First-Class Mail letter prices from USPS
| 1 ounce, stamped | $0.82 |
|---|---|
| 2 ounces, stamped | $1.11 |
| 3 ounces, stamped | $1.40 |
| 3.5 ounces, stamped | $1.69 |
| 1 ounce, metered | $0.78 |
| 2 ounces, metered | $1.07 |
| 3 ounces, metered | $1.36 |
| 3.5 ounces, metered | $1.65 |
| Nonmachinable surcharge (square, rigid or lumpy letters) | add $0.49 |
| Postcard | $0.65 |
Over 3.5 ounces, a letter pays large envelope prices. Source: USPS Notice 123, Price List, effective July 12, 2026 (Postal Explorer).
What changes your price
- Weight. Each ounce over the first adds $0.29.
- Shape. Square, stiff or lumpy letters that cannot go through machines pay $0.49 more.
- Stamp or meter. Metered letters are $0.04 cheaper per ounce step than stamped letters.
Ways to pay less
- Buy Forever stamps now. They are always worth the 1 ounce letter price, even after prices rise.
- Use a postcard ($0.65) for short notes.
- Keep letters flat and flexible to avoid the $0.49 surcharge.
How we got these numbers
USPS sets one national price for forever stamp. Every price on this page comes from USPS Notice 123, the official price list the Postal Service publishes. The prices we use took effect on July 12, 2026. Where we show a total, we simply add up the separate USPS fees, so you can see what one item costs all in. We do not add our own guesses or use a calculator, because USPS sets these fees and they are the same at every Post Office. USPS changes its prices from time to time, so check the price at the counter if your visit is far from September 26, 2026, the day we last checked.
Common questions
How much is a Forever stamp in 2026?
$0.82, the price of a 1 ounce First-Class letter since July 12, 2026.
How much to mail a 2 ounce letter?
$1.11 with stamps, or $1.07 metered.
Why was my square card more?
Square envelopes are nonmachinable and pay a $0.49 surcharge.