Current postcard stamp price in 2025
A single First-Class Mail postcard stamp in the United States costs $0.66 as of 2025. This rate, unchanged since July 2023, covers delivery of a standard-sized postcard (up to 4.25 x 6 inches and 1 oz) through the U.S. Postal Service First-Class Mail network. The price reflects the USPS Retail Ground realignment that established a lower base rate for postcards, recognizing their smaller size and lower handling costs compared with letters. If your postcard exceeds weight or size limits, or requires faster delivery, additional postage will apply.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Postcard stamp price (2025) | $0.66 | USPS official rate sheet |
| Postcard size limits | Up to 4.25 x 6 inches | USPS mailing standards |
| Weight limit for base rate | 1 oz or less | USPS First-Class Mail rules |
| Rate effective date | July 2023 (unchanged through 2025) | USPS Retail Ground alignment |
| Delivery timeframe | Typically 2–3 business days locally, 3–5 days regionally | USPS delivery standards |
What is and is not a postcard under USPS rules
The definition of a postcard for postage purposes is strict. To qualify for the postcard rate, the item must be rectangular, rigid, and composed of paper, plastic, or similar material. It must have a height between 3.5 and 4.25 inches, a length between 5 and 6 inches, and a thickness within prescribed limits. If the item is flexible, has an envelope flap, or is oversized, it must be mailed as a letter and requires a letter stamp, which costs more. Meeting the specifications ensures you pay the correct, lower postcard rate.
Key size and format requirements
- Rigid material: Paper, plastic, or similar
- Aspect range: Minimum 3.5 x 5 inches; maximum 4.25 x 6 inches
- No window, no envelope flap, no fold that creates a nonflat envelope
- Weight cap: 1 oz or less for the base rate
How to properly stamp a postcard
Place the $0.66 stamp in the top-right corner of the postcard’s address side, following the same placement rules as a standard letter. If your postcard is unusually shaped or has a textured surface that prevents clean cancellation, consider using a small address label with the stamp on the label to ensure the Postal Service can process the item without damage. Stamps purchased in coils or booklets are valid; verify the denomination matches the current postcard rate rather than assuming older stamps are always acceptable.
Common scenarios and how they affect postage
Several factors can require more than one stamp or a different mailing method. If your postcard is larger than allowed, contains thick stock, or weighs more than 1 oz, you will need additional postage—typically at least another $0.24 per extra ounce under First-Class Mail rules. Postcards sent via mailpiece options like Retail Ground or with added services such as tracking or insurance are also priced differently and usually do not use a simple postcard stamp. In these cases, you would use a printed indicia or a different stamp configuration rather than the standard postcard stamp.
| Metric | Estimate or Range | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Base postcard stamp price (2025) | $0.66 | USPS First-Class Mail postcard |
| Additional ounce (First-Class) | $0.24 | Each extra ounce beyond 1 oz |
| Typical delivery time (local) | 2–3 business days | Within the same general area |
| Typical delivery time (regional) | 3–5 business days | Across regions within the USPS network |
| Price change history | Last change July 2023 | USPS Retail Ground realignment |
Postcard vs. letter postage: what differs
Postcard stamps cost less than First-Class Letter stamps because postcards use less processing automation and fewer resources. A letter stamp currently costs $0.66 as well after recent adjustments, but this parity is recent; traditionally, postcards were cheaper. If you mail a flexible item that folds or includes an envelope, it must be treated as a letter and requires a letter stamp, even if it could fit a postcard’s size. Understanding these distinctions helps you choose the correct stamp and avoid returned mail or extra trips to the post office.
International postcards and extra considerations
For postcards mailed outside the United States, the rules and prices differ. An International Postcard stamp currently costs $1.50 and is subject to specific size and content restrictions, including prohibited items such as alcohol and certain medicines. Customs declarations may be required depending on the destination and contents. If you are mailing a physical item rather than a notification or trade card, you might instead use International First-Class or Priority Mail, which provide tracking and higher weight limits at increased prices.
- Use a $1.50 International postcard stamp for standard flat notifications sent abroad.
- For thicker items, consider International First-Class Package Service for tracking and higher weight limits.
- Always check current Customs restrictions for the destination country before mailing.
Postage options and formats beyond the single stamp
While a single postcard stamp is the simplest method, you have alternatives. Metered indicia or permit imprints can reduce per-piece costs for high-volume senders, but these are typically unnecessary for occasional use. Coiled or bookleted postcard stamps are valid as long as they are the correct denomination. For frequent postcard campaigns, a permit account with preapproved pricing can streamline postage and reporting. If you prefer not to calculate weights and sizes manually, the USPS Click-N-Ship tool can create and print the correct mailing label or indicia based on your item’s measurements.
Frequently asked questions about postcard stamps
Can I use a Forever stamp on a postcard? Yes, a Forever stamp covers the First-Class postcard rate at the time of mailing, even if the postcard rate rises later, but you overpay if the rate is lower than the stamp’s value. Are old postcard stamps still valid? Stamps in the correct denomination remain valid even after a rate change, but stamps in the wrong amount must make up the difference. Can I stamp both sides of a double postcard? No; each mailed piece needs its own postage, and double postcards must be treated as two separate items or packaged as one thicker piece subject to letter rates.