A Forever stamp costs 82 cents as of July 2026. That single price covers the vast majority of what people actually mean when they ask how much are stamps.
Not every stamp costs the same, though. Postcards, extra weight, and international mail each carry their own separate rate.
Here is the full 2026 breakdown. It also covers why the price keeps climbing and how to avoid getting caught off guard by the next increase.
Current stamp prices in 2026
| Stamp type | Price |
|---|---|
| Forever stamp (First-Class Mail, 1 oz letter) | $0.82 |
| Metered mail, 1 oz letter | $0.78 |
| Domestic postcard | $0.65 |
| Additional ounce, First-Class letter | $0.29 |
| International letter or postcard, 1 oz | $1.75 |
These prices took effect July 12, 2026, after USPS raised the Forever stamp from 78 cents. A book of 20 Forever stamps runs $16.40 at that rate.
Why stamps are called “Forever” stamps
A Forever stamp always covers one ounce of First-Class Mail. That holds no matter when you bought it or when you use it.
That protection only applies to standard First-Class letter mail. Our full guide to Forever stamps covers what they do and do not cover, including postcards and extra weight.
Why stamp prices keep going up
USPS has raised the Forever stamp price repeatedly since 2021, climbing from 58 cents to 82 cents in five years. That is roughly a 41 percent increase over a period when general inflation ran well below that pace.
A 2020 change in postal regulation let USPS raise prices faster than inflation, tied to its ongoing financial losses. The agency now typically adjusts prices twice a year rather than once.
Our full timeline of stamp price increases breaks down when past hikes happened. It also covers when the next one is likely.
How much stamps cost for common mailing needs
A single sheet letter in a standard envelope needs one Forever stamp at 82 cents. Add a second sheet or a heavier envelope and the math changes. You need an additional ounce stamp at 29 cents on top of the base rate.
A postcard needs its own 65 cent postcard stamp, not a Forever stamp. The two are priced and sold separately. Mailing internationally needs the $1.75 international rate regardless of destination country.
Our guide to how many stamps you need covers weight thresholds and letters with several pages in more detail.
Where these prices actually apply
Face value is what you pay at the post office, USPS.com, and any authorized retailer selling stamps at cost. Our guide to where to buy stamps covers every legitimate option. A few sources occasionally beat face value.
Third party resellers sometimes charge more than face value for convenience. A stamp never actually gets cheaper than USPS pricing. A markup above face value is the only direction those prices move.
Forever stamp price history
| Effective date | Forever stamp price |
|---|---|
| August 2021 | $0.58 |
| July 2022 | $0.60 |
| January 2023 | $0.63 |
| July 2023 | $0.66 |
| January 2024 | $0.68 |
| July 2024 | $0.73 |
| July 2025 | $0.78 |
| July 2026 | $0.82 |
USPS settled into a twice yearly rhythm starting in 2023, usually a smaller January bump and a larger July one. A 2020 regulatory change gave the agency more room to raise prices above general inflation, and it has used that room consistently since.
Do commemorative and holiday stamps cost more?
No. A commemorative stamp featuring a special design, like a holiday theme or a famous person, costs exactly the same as a plain Forever stamp. The artwork changes, not the postage value.
Some collector sets sold for display purposes do carry a premium, since those are marketed as keepsakes rather than mailing stamps. A standard commemorative book sold for actual mailing use costs the same 82 cents per stamp as any other Forever stamp.
How to avoid overpaying when prices rise
Buy Forever stamps before an announced increase takes effect, since your existing stock keeps its value permanently. Watch for the twice yearly pattern USPS has settled into recently, typically around January and July.
Skip loose, non Forever denominated stamps for regular letters. Those older stamps carry a specific cent value instead of Forever coverage. Combining several of them to hit the current rate gets confusing fast once a few increases have passed.
Our stamp calculator can figure out exactly how much postage a specific letter needs, including combinations of older stamps. Our guide to whether stamps expire covers what to do with stamps that predate the Forever era.
Frequently asked questions
How much are stamps right now?
A Forever stamp costs 82 cents as of July 2026. That covers a standard 1 ounce First-Class letter.
How much is a book of stamps?
A standard book contains 20 Forever stamps, so at 82 cents each, a full book costs $16.40.
How much is a stamp for a postcard?
A domestic postcard stamp costs 65 cents. That is a separate rate from the 82 cent Forever stamp used for letters.
How much are stamps for mail leaving the country? An international letter or postcard costs $1.75 as of July 2026, regardless of the destination.
Does an old stamp still work at its printed price?
Only if it is a Forever stamp. Those keep their value at any future price. Older stamps with a specific cent value printed on them do not adjust and may need extra postage added.
Why do stamps keep getting more expensive?
USPS has raised prices six times since 2021 due to ongoing financial losses. A 2020 regulatory change lets the agency increase prices faster than general inflation.
The bottom line
How much are stamps in 2026? For most people, it comes down to one number: 82 cents for a Forever stamp. Postcards, extra weight, and international mail each carry their own separate rate on top of that base price.
Buy ahead of an announced increase if you mail often, since Forever stamps never lose value once purchased. For everything else about pricing and buying stamps, see our guide to where to buy stamps.
