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How Much Does A Postage Stamp Cost - 2023
On January 22, 2023 the cost of sending a the first class (1) ounce letter through
the
United States Post Office will increase to $0.63 for
letters mailed within the United States. Extra ounces are $.24/ounce.
Note: prior to 2023 announcement, stamps went to $0.60 (July 10th, 2022).
These fees will continue to apply for an indeterminate period of time.
Stamp Price History:
January 9th, 2022 - stamps stayed at $0.58.
August 2021 - post office raised fee from $0.55 to $0.58
January 27, 2019 - the post office bumped the fee from $0.50 to $0.55 for letters.
January 21, 2018 - the fee rose from $0.49 to $0.50 for letters.
January 22, 2017 - the post office increased the fee from $0.47 to $0.49 (reversing the $0.2 price drop from $0.49 to $0.47 effective April 10, 2016). That same $0.49 was the amount that went into effect January 26, 2014 as the result of a $0.03 increase.
International letters: cost $1.40 for (1) ounce first class mailed through same date of mention.
To be sendable by the USPS: a letter must have dimensions of no less than 3-1/2 inches tall and maximum of 6 1/8". The width shall be 5" to 11-1/2 inches. The thickness at least .007 inches which should be no more than 1/4" to be handled by the processing facilities.
As new increases reflect an effort by USPS to raise needed funds, the rate at which they can take charges higher is based on an inflationary rate that comes from the CPI.
~ How stamps have changed since 1853, the first year stamps were put into use. ~
Tips
Some consumers buy extra forever stamps since they are claimed to send even when higher postage surpasses these rates in
the years ahead. While postage continues to go up, there are still options like electronic mail, or a phone plan with generous
or unlimited long distance/texting such as with some of the cell phone carriers. For mailing out bills, many companies have switched
to the online payment option - that is, if you are comfortable with its measure of safety.