A USPS money order costs $2.65 in 2026
The Post Office charges $2.65 for a money order up to $500, and $3.75 for $500.01 to $1,000. $1,000 is the most one money order can be for. If you need a copy of a cashed money order, the inquiry fee is $23.
Money order fees from USPS
| Money order, $0.01 to $500 | $2.65 |
|---|---|
| Money order, $500.01 to $1,000 | $3.75 |
| Largest amount per money order | $1,000 |
| Postal military money order | $0.85 |
| Inquiry fee (copy of a paid money order) | $23.00 |
| $500 money order, all in | $502.65 |
|---|---|
| $1,000 money order, all in | $1,003.75 |
The fee is on top of the amount of the money order. Source: USPS Notice 123, Price List, effective July 12, 2026 (Postal Explorer).
What changes your price
- The amount. Up to $500 the fee is $2.65. Over that it is $3.75.
- The limit. To send more than $1,000, you buy more than one money order and pay a fee on each.
Ways to pay less
- For $1,000, one money order ($3.75) is cheaper than two $500 ones ($5.30).
- Keep your receipt. Replacing a lost money order starts with it, and a copy costs $23.
How we got these numbers
USPS sets one national price for money order. 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 does a money order cost at the post office?
$2.65 up to $500 and $3.75 from $500.01 to $1,000.
What is the most a USPS money order can be?
$1,000.
How much to check on a money order?
The inquiry fee, which includes a copy of the paid money order, is $23.