Current Forever Stamp price
A Forever Stamp sold in 2025 costs $0.66 for a 1 oz First-Class Mail letter mailed in the United States. This price has been in place since January 2023, when the USPS set the rate at $0.66 and announced it would remain valid for all first-class letters regardless of future price increases. You can still use older Forever Stamps issued in prior years for 1 oz letters; the value of a Forever Stamp always matches the current First-Class Mail postcard price.
Note: If you’re mailing a postcard, the required postage is typically the same as for a letter. International and heavier packages require different rates.
What a Forever Stamp actually is
A Forever Stamp is a First-Class Mail postage stamp sold at the current 1 oz letter price that remains valid for mailing 1 oz First-Class letters indefinitely, even if postal rates rise. The USPS introduced Forever Stamps in 2007 to protect senders from inflation-driven price changes. For letters up to 1 oz, a single Forever Stamp is always sufficient; for heavier letters, additional postage is required.
Key points about Forever Stamp value
- Always covers mailing a 1 oz letter in First-Class Mail, even after price changes.
- Accepted for any standard letter regardless of when it was purchased.
- Does not include taxes or fees that may appear at the register; those vary by location.
Where to buy and add postage
You can purchase Forever Stamps at post offices, retail locations that sell stamps, or via the USPS website using a Credit/Debit card through Informed Delivery or Select Mail Online. You may also add postage digitally with apps such as USPS Mobile, PayPost, or through bank and retail partners that support USPS postage. Rates and availability can vary by location; check with your local post office or retailer for specifics.
How USPS pricing works: letters vs postcards vs flats
First-Class Mail prices for 1 oz letters are set by USPS and reflected in the Forever Stamp price. Postcards have a separate lower rate; flats (envelopes larger than letters) are priced by weight and size. International mail uses different rules and usually requires additional fees. Understanding these categories helps you choose the right stamp or metered postage.
Categories and price distinctions
| Item | Current price (2025) | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail letter (1 oz) | $0.66 | Standard domestic letter |
| First-Class Mail postcard | $0.66 | Postcard mailed domestically |
| Additional ounce (each) | $0.24 | Heavier letters beyond 1 oz |
| International letter (1 oz) | Varies by country | Requires Customs forms |
How to use Forever Stamps for different weights
For a 1 oz letter, one Forever Stamp is enough. For each additional ounce, you must add $0.24 in postage, which can be another Forever Stamp or other accepted postage. Letters over 3.5 oz or larger may fall into different classes such as Priority Mail, depending on size and shape.
Practical examples of stamping by weight
- 1 oz letter: 1 Forever Stamp ($0.66)
- 2 oz letter: 1 Forever Stamp + 1 Additional Ounce stamp ($0.24)
- 3 oz letter: 1 Forever Stamp + 2 Additional Ounce stamps ($0.48)
Reliable sources for verification
For the most current price and rules, consult official USPS channels such as the USPS website or a post office. The pricing below is based on the USPS January 2023 announcement and the subsequent continuation of the $0.66 rate for 1 oz letters in 2025.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Forever Stamp introduced | Insulates 1 oz First-Class letters from future rate hikes |
| January 2023 | Postal Regulatory Commission approved $0.66 | Set the rate that remains in effect for 1 oz letters in 2025 |
| 2025 | Continued use of $0.66 rate | nOfficial USPS price for a 1 oz First-Class letter using a Forever Stamp |
Bottom line
A Forever Stamp in 2025 costs $0.66 and covers mailing a 1 oz First-Class letter in the United States. It does not expire and can be used regardless of when it was purchased. Additional ounces, postcards, international mail, and larger parcels are priced differently and may require more than one Forever Stamp or alternate services.
Tags: stamps, forever stamp, postage, mailing, usps
FAQ
Reader questions
Common questions answered
Do Forever Stamps expire? No. Once issued, a Forever Stamp can be used for First-Class Mail indefinitely. Are older Forever Stamps still valid? Yes. Any Forever Stamp, regardless of issue date, covers 1 oz of First-Class Mail at today’s published rate. Can I use multiple Forever Stamps to avoid adding extra ounces? Yes, but only the needed postage is required; excess postage is not refunded. Do Forever Stamps work for international mail? No. International letters require different postage, customs forms, and often tracking. Will the price change in the future? The USPS can change rates annually by October; when it does, the price of a new Forever Stamp will reflect the new 1 oz First-Class Mail rate.