The Shocking Truth About The Forever Stamp Price: 5 Things You Must Know About The New $0.78 Cost In 2025

The question of "how much is a Forever Stamp" is one of the most frequently asked questions at the post office, and for good reason—the price seems to change constantly. As of today, December 18, 2025, the current retail price for a single First-Class Mail Forever Stamp is $0.78 (78 cents). This rate took effect on July 13, 2025, following the latest round of price adjustments by the United States Postal Service (USPS), marking a significant five-cent increase from the previous price of $0.73.

Understanding the current Forever Stamp cost is crucial for anyone who regularly sends mail, from personal letters to business invoices. The "Forever" concept is designed to combat inflation, ensuring that any stamp purchased today, regardless of the price you paid, remains valid for mailing a one-ounce First-Class letter in the future, even if the rate climbs to $1.00 or more. This guide breaks down the latest rates, explores the history of the stamp, and shows you exactly how to calculate postage for different types of mail in 2025 and beyond.

The Complete 2025 USPS Postage Rate Card: Beyond the Forever Stamp

While the standard Forever Stamp is the most common postage item, it’s only one piece of the entire USPS rate structure. To achieve true topical authority and avoid under-stamping your mail, it is essential to know the current prices for other common mailing categories. These rates, which were last updated on July 13, 2025, cover everything from heavy letters to international postcards.

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Key First-Class Mail Rates (Effective July 13, 2025):

• Standard Forever Stamp (1 oz. Letter): $0.78
• Each Additional Ounce (for letters over 1 oz.): $0.29
• Metered Mail Letter (1 oz.): $0.74 (A four-cent discount compared to retail stamps)
• Domestic Postcard Stamp: $0.61
• Large Envelope/Flat (1 oz.): $1.63
• First-Class Mail International Letter (1 oz.): $1.70

The additional ounce rate is a critical entity to remember. If your letter weighs 1.5 ounces, you do not need two $0.78 stamps. Instead, you would use one Forever Stamp ($0.78) plus one $0.29 stamp (or two $0.15 stamps, if available) to cover the $1.07 total cost. Using two Forever Stamps would cost you $1.56, wasting $0.49. Knowing this price breakdown is the key to minimizing your postage costs.

The History of the Forever Stamp: A Financial Investment?

The concept of the Forever Stamp was introduced by the USPS in 2007 to simplify the process of rate changes and provide a hedge against inflation for consumers. Since its introduction, the stamp has proven to be a surprisingly sound, albeit small, financial investment for those who bought in early.

A Brief Timeline of the Forever Stamp Cost:

The price history of the First-Class Mail stamp reveals an accelerating pattern of increases, which underscores the value of the "Forever" concept.

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• May 2007: Introduced at $0.41 (41 cents)
• January 2017: $0.49
• January 2019: $0.55
• January 2023: $0.63
• January 2024: $0.68
• July 2024: $0.73
• July 2025: $0.78

If you purchased a sheet of 20 Forever Stamps in 2007 for $8.20, those same stamps are now worth $15.60 in postage value today. This 90% increase in value over 18 years, while modest, demonstrates the core benefit of the Forever Stamp value: it guarantees you will never have to add "make-up" postage to your letters, regardless of future USPS rate hikes.

3 Essential Facts About Forever Stamps and Usage

The function of the Forever Stamp is straightforward, but there are a few nuances that even frequent mailers often misunderstand. Knowing these can save you time and money, especially when dealing with non-standard mail sizes or international destinations.

1. Forever Stamps are Only for Domestic 1-Ounce Letters

The standard $0.78 Forever Stamp is specifically designed to cover the First-Class Mail 1-ounce letter rate within the United States. It is not automatically valid for other services. For instance, a domestic postcard has its own specific rate of $0.61, and while you *can* use a $0.78 Forever Stamp on a postcard, you are overpaying by $0.17. Similarly, you cannot use a single Forever Stamp for a large envelope (flat) or international mail, as their base rates are significantly higher.

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2. The "Forever" Concept Does Not Apply to International Mail

While the USPS does offer a specific Global Forever Stamp, it is important to understand its function. The Global Forever Stamp is currently priced at $1.70 and covers the 1-ounce First-Class Mail International rate to *all* countries. However, unlike the domestic stamp, the Global Forever Stamp does not cover any additional weight beyond the first ounce. If your international letter weighs 1.5 ounces, you will need to add extra postage, as the price for each additional ounce is separate and not covered by the Global Forever design.

3. How to Use Forever Stamps for Heavier Mail

If you have a letter that weighs more than one ounce (e.g., a wedding invitation with multiple inserts or a small stack of papers), you should not simply stick on two Forever Stamps. The most cost-effective method is to use one Forever Stamp ($0.78) and then add the required additional ounce stamp ($0.29) for each extra ounce. This ensures you pay the exact $1.07 rate for a two-ounce letter, rather than $1.56, which would be the cost of two Forever Stamps. Always use a small kitchen scale or visit the post office to verify the exact weight of non-standard letters.

Where to Buy Forever Stamps and How to Lock in the Current Rate

The best time to purchase Forever Stamps is immediately before a scheduled price increase. Since the USPS has a history of semi-annual price hikes, buying in bulk now is the only way to lock in the current $0.78 Forever Stamp cost.

You can purchase these stamps from a variety of authorized retailers and locations:

• USPS.com Postal Store: The official website offers the widest variety of designs and allows for bulk purchases.
• Local Post Offices: The most direct way to buy, available in sheets, booklets, and rolls.
• Major Retailers: Grocery stores (e.g., Kroger, Safeway), drugstores (e.g., Walgreens, CVS), and office supply stores (e.g., Staples, Office Depot) all carry First-Class Forever Stamps.
• ATMs: Some bank ATMs dispense booklets of Forever Stamps, often at a slight premium or with a service fee.

By keeping an eye on the latest USPS postage rates and stocking up on Forever Stamps at the current $0.78 price, you effectively future-proof your mail-sending budget against inevitable increases. The Forever stamp cost today is the lowest it will ever be.