The Ultimate 2025 Guide: How Much Does A Stamp Cost Right Now? (7 Crucial Price Points)

The question of "how much the stamp" costs has become a moving target, especially with the United States Postal Service (USPS) implementing multiple price adjustments in recent years. As of the most recent update in July 2025, the cost of sending a standard one-ounce letter has officially changed, making any information you found before this date obsolete. This comprehensive, updated guide provides the seven most crucial postage rates you need to know today, ensuring your mail is correctly stamped and avoids the dreaded "Return to Sender" fate.

The latest increase, which took effect in July 2025, saw the price of the iconic Forever Stamp jump by five cents. This adjustment is part of the USPS's strategy to offset rising operating costs and stabilize its financial footing. Whether you are a business owner sending invoices, a student mailing a college application, or simply sending a birthday card, understanding these new rates is essential for accurate budgeting and efficient mailing.

The 7 Most Important USPS Postage Rates as of July 2025

The following rates are the official prices for First-Class Mail and other common mailing services, effective July 2025. These are the prices you will pay at the Post Office for a physical stamp.

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1. First-Class Mail Forever Stamp (1 oz. Letter)
• Current Price: $0.78 (78 cents)
• This is the most common stamp and covers a standard, one-ounce letter mailed anywhere within the United States. If you purchased Forever Stamps before the July 2025 rate change (when they were $0.73), they are still valid and will cover the full 78-cent rate, which is the key benefit of the Forever Stamp.
2. Domestic Postcard Stamp
• Current Price: $0.61 (61 cents)
• This stamp covers standard-sized, rectangular postcards mailed domestically. It is a separate, lower rate than a standard letter due to the smaller size and weight of the postcard.
3. Additional Ounce for First-Class Mail
• Current Price: $0.29 (29 cents)
• If your standard letter weighs more than one ounce, you must add this amount for each extra ounce. A two-ounce letter, for example, would require a 78-cent Forever Stamp plus a 29-cent additional ounce stamp, totaling $1.07.
4. First-Class Mail Flat/Large Envelope (1 oz.)
• Current Price: $1.63
• This rate applies to larger envelopes (flats) that are non-rigid, rectangular, and exceed the dimensions of a standard letter, but are no thicker than 3/4 inch.
5. Global Forever Stamp (International Letter/Postcard)
• Current Price: $1.70
• The Global Forever Stamp is used for sending a one-ounce letter or a postcard from the U.S. to any international destination. Like its domestic counterpart, the Global Forever Stamp retains its value regardless of future international postage rate increases.
6. First-Class Mail Metered Letter (1 oz.)
• Current Price: $0.74 (74 cents)
• This discounted rate is available to individuals and businesses who print postage directly onto their mailpiece using a postage meter or a commercial online postage service (often referred to as metered mail). This is a 4-cent saving per letter compared to a physical stamp.
7. Certified Mail Fee (in addition to postage)
• Current Price: Varies (Postage + $4.40 for the fee)
• While not a stamp price, this is a common service. Certified Mail provides the sender with a mailing receipt and electronic verification that the item was delivered or that a delivery attempt was made.

The Rising Cost of Postage: Why Did the Stamp Price Increase?

The price of the Forever Stamp has been on a steep upward trajectory, with multiple increases occurring in 2024 and 2025. Since the start of 2024, the stamp price has climbed from 68 cents to 78 cents—a significant jump in a short period.

The primary driver behind these frequent and substantial postal increases is the USPS’s 10-year plan for financial stability, often referred to as "Delivering for America." The organization faces significant financial challenges, including declining First-Class Mail volume, high labor costs, and the need to modernize its aging infrastructure and fleet. The USPS is aiming to generate billions of dollars in revenue through postage adjustments to cover these costs and ensure the continuation of its universal service mandate.

The power to raise rates rests with the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), which allows the USPS to increase prices above the rate of inflation (CPI) for certain mail classes. This new pricing authority has resulted in the more aggressive rate hikes seen in the mid-2020s, with experts predicting that this trend of rising postage rates is likely to continue, potentially through 2027.

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Smart Strategies to Save Money on Postage Stamps

With the cost of a single stamp now at $0.78, businesses and high-volume personal users are actively looking for ways to mitigate the impact of rising postage rates. Fortunately, several smart strategies can help you reduce your overall mailing expenses.

1. Buy Forever Stamps in Bulk Before the Next Increase

The most effective long-term strategy is to purchase Forever Stamps in bulk immediately after a rate increase is announced, but before it takes effect. Since the stamps never expire and are always valid for the current First-Class Mail rate, buying them at the lower price locks in significant savings. For example, if you bought 1,000 stamps at $0.73 before the July 2025 increase, you immediately saved $50 on your postage budget. This is the single greatest advantage of the Forever Stamp concept.

2. Utilize Discounted Metered Mail Rates

For businesses, the four-cent discount on metered mail is a powerful incentive to switch from physical stamps. By using a postage meter or an online postage service like Stamps.com or ShipStation, you pay only $0.74 per one-ounce letter instead of $0.78. This may seem small, but for a business mailing 5,000 letters per month, this saves $200 monthly, or $2,400 per year. These services also offer the convenience of printing postage from your office, along with other benefits like tracking and specialized shipping labels.

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3. Look for Wholesale and Club Discounts

While the USPS does not offer a bulk discount on Forever Stamps directly, you can often find slight savings at wholesale clubs. Stores like Costco and Sam's Club occasionally sell rolls of 100 Forever Stamps at a marginal discount compared to the face value. For instance, a roll of 100 stamps might be priced at $77.75, making the effective cost $0.7775 per stamp—a small but real saving on a large purchase.

4. Verify Weight and Dimensions to Avoid Overpaying

A common mistake is applying a standard Forever Stamp to a letter that is slightly overweight or too thick, only to have it returned or incur a postage due fee for the recipient. Always weigh your mail. If a letter is just over one ounce, you need the 29-cent additional ounce stamp. If it is non-machinable (square, rigid, or has clasps), it requires an extra non-machinable surcharge, which is currently $0.44. Investing in a small, affordable postal scale can prevent costly errors and unnecessary fees.

The Future of USPS Postage and Mail

The current postage rates are unlikely to be the final ones for 2025. The USPS has demonstrated a pattern of biannual increases, with one often occurring in January and another in July of the same year. This means consumers and businesses should be prepared for the possibility of another rate hike announcement later this year, which would take effect in early 2026.

The continued rise in the cost of the stamp highlights the increasing value of digital communication and electronic alternatives. However, for legal documents, formal correspondence, and personal mail, the physical stamp remains an essential tool. By staying informed about the *current USPS postage rates* and utilizing smart strategies like purchasing *Forever Stamps in bulk* and exploring *metered mail* options, you can effectively manage your mailing budget in a world of ever-increasing postal costs.