How Many Stamps Do I Need

How do I know how many stamps to use?

How many stamps do I need? – There’s no easy answer to how many stamps your mail item needs because it’s dependent on many different things such as weight, size, and the receiver’s location. In most cases, a single postage stamp will suffice to mail a letter.

Standard letters, If your letter is a standard-sized envelope and weighs 3.5 ounces or less, you will need one stamp. Large envelopes. This includes 9×12, legal, and manila envelopes, Two stamps are needed for the first ounce, and postage will be an additional $0.20 cents after. International mail, For mail going outside of the United States, you can use Forever Stamps or a Global Forever Stamp. If your letter is one ounce or below, you will need one Global Forever stamp or three Forever Stamps. Packages. The number of required stamps depends on the weight and size of the package. Usually, the first four ounces need a minimum of $3.80 in postage, with more postage as weight increases. Shipping costs vary depending on weight, or you can purchase a priority mail box, which ships at a flat rate if it fits inside the USPS-produced boxes.

It’s not just the weight that matters. All postcards and envelopes must be rectangular. If you’re sending square-shaped stationery or a specialty envelope, you should put an extra stamp on it. Still not sure? The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) has a postage price calculator here,

How do I know if I need 1 or 2 stamps?

How Do Forever Stamps Work? – Forever Stamps are ideal for mailing normal-sized, one-ounce letters within the United States. If you suspect that your letter may weigh more than one ounce, be sure to weigh it prior to affixing a Forever Stamp, as heavier letters will be returned due to lack of postage.

• For any domestic mail piece that weighs more than one ounce, you must include additional postage along with your Forever Stamp to ensure USPS delivery.
• Also, you may purchase higher denomination postage stamps for heavier postage at the Post Office™.
• Avoid placing two Forever Stamps on a mail piece for heavier mail.

Additional ounces are much cheaper costing only $0.24 per additional ounce rather than $0.63 for a one ounce letter. If you add two Forever Stamps to a 2 ounce letter, you would be paying for an item that should only cost $0.84.

How many stamps do I need to send a card to the Netherlands?

Postage to the Netherlands The easiest way to send letters from the USA to the Netherlands is with Global Forever Stamps for $1.45 each. You can also use regular, domestic forever stamps as long as they add up to $1.45. Extra postage is required over 1 ounce.

How many stamps should I put on a card?

Add a stamp for each ounce the card weighs. Be sure to round up. For example, a card that weighs 1.5 ounces would get two stamps. Additional charges may apply if the card is non-machinable, rigid, or oversized.

What happens if I use 2 stamps?

Never use “two stamps”! – LOZO.com Not all letters can be mailed for the regular 58 cent first class rate (rate as of August 2021, increasing to 60 cents in July 2022), however using two Forever stamps without knowing the actual rate is just wasting money.

1. What to do? Use the to easily calculate actual postage rates.
2. For example, a regular two-ounce letter costs 78 cents.
3. Using “two stamps” means you are paying $1.16 (2 x 58 cents).
4. That’s spending 49% too much! Pick up some different value postage stamps next time you are at the post office (they carry lots of different ones).

For a 78 cent letter, put on a 58 cent (or one “Forever” stamp) and a 20 cent stamp (or one “Additional Ounce” stamp), or any another combination that adds up to the same 78 cents. Did you know that you can use older stamps, even one from decades ago, to mail letters today? Each stamp is still worth its “face value” (the amount printed on the front of the stamp, such as “8 cents”) towards the total postage cost.

1. So you could mail a letter today with a mix of old stamps (try 4 x 8 cents, plus 6 x 4 cents, plus 2 x 1 cent = 58 cents, if you can find the room on the letter!).
2. Generally speaking, you can mail 4-5 pages of regular paper, plus an envelope, for the regular first class (“one stamp”) rate.
3. Heavier paper, rigid or oversized envelopes will cost more.

You can get about 10 pages of standard page weight, plus an envelope, for the two ounce rate. Every post office has a scale you can use. Next time you are there, try the different combinations of papers and envelopes that you typically use, so you can learn what weighs what.

Can you use 3 stamps?

The Amount of Stamps You Need for a Large Envelope Depends on How Many Ounces the Envelope Weighs – Like most rules in the shipping and mailing industry, the amount of stamps you need for a large envelope depends on how many ounces your envelope weighs with all the contents inside of it.

1. Most large envelopes containing documents that USPS delivers weigh one ounce or less.
2. Therefore, most manila and large envelopes only require one Forever stamp to send them,
3. That said, there are often cases where a large envelope weighs more than just one ounce.
4. A letter covered by First-Class stamps can be up to three ounces, and if your letter weighs more than one ounce, you’ll need to pay for the “Additional Ounce” postage to cover each additional ounce up to three ounces total.

These stamps don’t cost the full 58 cents, but only 20 cents per each additional ounce. If you’d like to see some examples of “Additional Ounce” postage, you can check out these stamps on the USPS website, You can also pick up Additional Postage stamps for 5 or 10 cents each, but in our experience, if you need to pay for an extra ounce, it makes the most sense to just spring for the Additional Ounce postage stamps.

Is 1 stamp enough for a letter?

How many stamps do I need? – There’s no easy answer to how many stamps your mail item needs, because it’s dependent on many different things such as weight, size, and receiver’s location. In most cases, a single postage stamp will suffice to mail a letter.

Standard letters. If your letter is a standard-sized envelope and weights 3.5 ounces or less, you will need one stamp Large envelopes, This includes 9×12, legal, and manila envelopes, Two stamps are needed for the first ounce, and postage will be an additional $0.20 cents after. International mail. For mail going outside of the United States, you can use Forever Stamps or a Global Forever Stamp, which currently cost $1.20 each. If your letter is one ounce or below, you will need one Global Forever stamp or three Forever Stamps. Packages, The number of required stamps depends on the weight and size of the package. Usually, the first four ounces need a minimum of $3.80 in postage, with more postage as weight increases. Shipping costs vary depending on weight, or you can purchase a priority mail box, which ships at a flat rate if it fits inside the USPS-produced boxes.

It’s not just the weight that matters. All postcards and envelopes must be rectangular. If you’re sending square-shaped stationery or a specialty envelope, you should put an extra stamp on it. Still not sure? USPS has a postage price calculator.

Should I put more than one stamp?

General – Q. Can the Forever Stamp be used on mailpieces that require extra postage? A. Yes. The postage value of a Forever Stamp is the cur­rent First-Class Mail single-piece 1-ounce letter rate — $0.41. Customers must affix additional postage when mailing letters weighing in ex­cess of 1 ounce and/or letters subject to the nonmachinable sur­charge or mailpieces subject to another rate of post­age (e.g., large envelopes or packages).Q. How may cus­tomers who have a number of dif­ferent stamps with no denomi­nation determine the value of those stamps? A. DMM Quick Ser ­vice Guide 604a details all nonde­nominated post­age issued since 1975. Go to http://pe.usps.com and click Quick Ser vice Guides.Q.

Where can customers find additional information regarding domestic and international rates and fees? A. Additional information on domestic and international rates and fees can be found at http://pe.usps.com, International delivery options can be found at www.usps.com/international,Q. Pickup on Demand service increased to $14.25.

What about Carrier Pickup service — did that change? A. Carrier Pickup service remains available at no charge. Customers may schedule Carrier Pickup service or Pickup on Demand service online at www.usps.com/pickup, Pickup on Demand service may be also be scheduled by calling 800-222-1811.

How many stamps do I need for Europe?

Step 4: Calculate & Apply Postage – For just 1 $1.50 First-Class Mail International Global Forever stamp, you can send a 1 oz letter or postcard to any other country in the world. Put stamps in the upper right corner of the envelope. (For postcards, put the stamp in the space provided near the delivery address.) If your letter is heavier or bigger, if your postcard is large or square, or if you want to add extra services, you’ll need to pay more.

Show More Postage for international letters depends on weight, size/shape, and the price group of the country that you’re sending to. (See the Country Price Groups listing.) You can weigh your letter with a kitchen scale, postal scale, at a self-service kiosk, or at the Post Office ™ counter. TIP: As a rule of thumb, you can send a 1 oz letter (4 sheets of regular printer paper and a business-sized envelope) or a postcard—to any country in the world—for 1 First-Class Mail ® Global Forever stamp (currently $1.50).

You can also use any other combination of stamps that adds up to $1.50. The postage for a large envelope (or flat) starts at $3.00 for 1 oz.

How many post stamps do I need for Europe?

You need a Global stamp to send a letter from the U.S. to Europe. Up to 2022，a global stamp costs $1.4 and is good for letters up to 1 ounce in weight. You need to calculate the cost based on the things you plan to send.

How much do stamps cost in the Netherlands?

Sending mail and parcels in the Netherlands – If you’ve got something important to mail in the Netherlands, your first port of call is likely your nearest post office. Here, you can buy postage, send mail or parcels, and access a range of delivery options.

1. Payments are made in-store using cash or card.
2. You can also arrange all the details for your delivery through the PostNL Online Portal,
3. An option to also available to add a Track & Trace code to your parcel or letter.
4. Once you send your item through PostNL, you can keep track of its current status until it arrives at its destination.

In addition to the recipient’s name and address, you must include the necessary postal code; Dutch postal codes ( postcode in Dutch) are four numbers followed by two capital letters. If you are unsure of the postcode, you can search for it by entering the address on the PostNL Postcode Finder,

Weight	Letters within the Netherlands	Letters outside the Netherlands
0–20g	€0.91	€1.50
20–50g	€1.82	€3.00
50–100g	€2.73	€4.50
100–350g	€3.64	€7.50
350g–2kg	€4.40	€9.00

There are plenty of places to pick up postage stamps in the Netherlands. In addition to post offices, you can also pick up stamps in many supermarkets, petrol stations, and some bookstores across the country. Domestic postal stamps cost €0.91 and are generally available in packages of 10. International postal stamps cost €1.50 and are available in packages of six.

Can you buy a single stamp?

Using Shipping Software – If you rarely mail envelopes or just tend to misplace your book of stamps, you may just want to buy a single postage stamp one at a time as you need it. This is pretty easy to do in person, just head to your local post office and either wait in line and ask for a single stamp, or head to the APC to buy a single stamp from the machine.

Stamps.com : Sign Up and Get a Special Postage Offer of $100 Value at Stamps.com! Use Code STAMPS100 ShippingEasy Easypost

These are provide you with an easy to use web interface where you can buy one stamp at a time. Below is a screenshot from Stamps.com. It is pretty straight forward, you just enter your “To:” and “From:” addresses into the software, and it will print all the necessary info, including a barcode and postage stamp onto your standard number 10 envelope. Stamps.com lets you print on other sized envelopes.

What size card can I send with one stamp?

To be eligible for mailing at the price for letters, a piece must be: –

• Rectangular
• At least 3-1/2 inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inch thick.
• No more than 6-1/8 inches high x 11-1/2 inches long x 1/4 inch thick.

First-Class Mail letters that have one or more nonmachinable characteristics will pay a nonmachinable surcharge. Customers can be unpleasantly surprised that they must pay extra postage when, for example, they mail a square greeting card. The Postal Service charges extra postage because mailpieces that are rigid, square, or unusually shaped, often jam postal equipment and are difficult to process.

• This costs the Postal Service time and money—and may also damage your mailpiece.
• Many mailers fold sheets of paper to form letter-size pieces or newsletters.
• Folded pieces, or folded self-mailers, can save time and money because you’re not paying for or stuffing envelopes.
• Folded self-mailers must be sealed or they will be subject to the nonmachinable surcharge.

We recommend that you use wafer seals or tabs to close the open sides of folded mailpieces. Here’s some good advice on tabbing: Put the fold on the bottom (the side below the address) and secure the opening at the top with a piece of tape, a tab or a wafer seal.

Can I mail a tiny envelope?

Answer: 3-1/2-x-5 (inches) is the smallest legal mailing size for an envelope in the US. The smallest “mailable” size offered on our site is 4-bar Envelopes / A-1 Envelopes, If you are browsing through our mini envelopes, please note they are not intended for mailing. Worldwide supplier of quality paper and envelopes. Creative Papers for Creative Minds!

What happens if you don’t use enough stamps?

Stamps – Stamps may be purchased on the USPS website, at any US Post Office, grocery stores, and some ATMs. If you are sending mail internationally it is usually easier to go to the Post Office and have them put a special stamp on the package indicating the exact amount of money it takes to send the package.

What happens if you use too few stamps?

What happens when I put too few stamps on an envelope? In the US, the Postal Service will stamp the envelope as ‘Postage Due’ and collect the postage deficient from the recipient/addressee.

How many stamps can I get for $2?

Domestic Letter Shipping — Price Per Ounce –

The Weight of Your Letter	The Number and Type of Stamp
1 oz or less	1 x Domestic Forever Stamp. This will cost you 55 cents.
2 oz	1 x Domestic Forever Stamp and 1 x 15 cent Additional Ounce stamps. This will cost you 70 cents in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 2 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Here, you will pay an extra 40 cents.
3 oz	1 x Domestic Forever Stamp and 2 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamps. This will cost you 85 cents in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 2 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Here, you’ll be overpaying by 25 cents.
3.5 oz	1 x Domestic Forever Stamp, 1 x Postcard stamp, and 1 x 10 cent stamp. This will cost you $1 in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 2 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Here, you’ll be overpaying by 10 cents.

If you read this and thought, “great, I only wanted to find out how many stamps for 5 oz” then please bear with us! Once your envelope goes over the 3.5-ounce weight limit, you need to start looking at the rates for flats. What are flats, we hear you ask? Well, they’re a big envelope which must be used for anything that weighs over 3.5 ounces.

• It must be at least 6.125 inches by 11.5 inches.
• It cannot be bigger than 12 inches by 15 inches.
• It cannot be thicker than 0.75 inches.
• You cannot use a bubble packet as they’re usually a lot thicker than the maximum allowance here.

Anyway, without further ado, shall we look at the price per ounce for these flats? We think so! Let’s get into the specifics.

The Weight of Your Flat	The Number and Type of Stamp
1 oz or less	1 x Domestic Forever Stamp, 1 x 10 cents stamp, and 1 x Postcard stamp. This will cost you $1 in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 2 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Here, you’ll be overpaying by 10 cents.
2 oz	2 x Domestic Forever Stamps plus 1 x 10 cents stamp. This will cost you $1.20 in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 3 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Here, you’ll be paying 45 cents more than necessary.
3 oz	2 x Domestic Forever Stamps plus 2 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamps. This will cost you $1.40 in total. Alternatively, you can overpay by using 3 x Domestic Forever Stamps. However, you’ll be paying 25 cents more than you need to.
4 oz	2 x Domestic Forever Stamps, 1 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamp, plus 1 x Postcard stamp. This will cost you $1.60 in total. If you’d rather use Domestic Forever Stamps instead, you need to use 3. Just bear in mind that you’ll be overpaying by 5 cents.
5 oz	3 x Domestic Forever Stamps and 1 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamp. This will cost you $1.80 in total. Alternatively, you can use 4 x Domestic Forever Stamps instead. Just bear in mind that you’ll be overpaying by 40 cents.
6 oz	3 x Domestic Forever Stamps plus 1 x Postcard stamp. This will cost you $2 in total. If you want to overpay, use 4 x Domestic Forever Stamps.
7 oz	4 x Domestic Forever Stamps. This will cost you $2.20 in total.
8 oz	4 x Domestic Forever Stamps, 1 x 5 cents stamp, plus 1 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamp. This will cost you $2.40 in total. You can also overpay by using 5 x Domestic Forever Stamps. However, you’ll be paying 35 cents more than necessary.
9 oz	4 x Domestic Forever Stamps, 1 x 5 cents stamp, and 1 x Postcard stamp. This will cost you $2.60 in total. For ease, you can just use 5 x Domestic Forever Stamps. However, you’ll be overpaying by 15 cents.
10 oz	5 x Domestic Forever Stamps plus 1 x 5 cents stamp. This will cost you $2.80 in total. To make your life easier, just use 6 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Remember though, you’ll be overpaying by 50 cents. This can add up to a fair amount if you’re doing this regularly.
11 oz	5 x Domestic Forever Stamps, 1 x 10 cents stamp, plus 1 x 15 cents Additional Ounce stamp. This will cost you $3 in total. Alternatively, you can use 6 x Domestic Forever Stamps. Just remember that you’ll be overpaying by 30 cents.
12 oz	5 x Domestic Forever Stamps, 1 x 10 cents stamp, plus 1 x Postcard stamp. This will cost you $3.20 in total. If you’ve only got Domestic Forever Stamps to hand, use 6. You will, however, be overpaying by 10 cents.
13 oz	6 x Domestic Forever Stamps plus 1 x 10 cents stamp. This will cost you $3.40 in total. You can use 7 x Domestic Forever Stamps instead, but you’ll be overpaying by 45 cents. This can quickly add up if you’re not careful.

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How much does one stamp cover?

Download Article Download Article You’ve got your letter or package all ready to go, but how many stamps do you need before it can go out in the mail? Not to worry—with the right resources, it’s super simple to calculate the postage for just about any parcel. To help you get started, we’ll teach you how to use a postage calculator for quick, accurate results.

1. 1 Use a Forever stamp for most standard mail items. A single Forever stamp will be enough to send off an item in a commercial envelope measuring 11.5 inches (29 cm) by 5 inches (13 cm) and weighing 1 ounce (28 g) or less. Anything larger will require extra postage, which you can add up using a postage calculator.
   • As of February 2022, the cost of a single Forever stamp is $0.58.
   • Forever stamps are useful for mailing letters, greeting cards, and paper items weighing less than 1 ounce (28 g).
   • To send a standard commercial envelope somewhere outside the United States, you’ll need to use a Global Forever stamp. At this time, Global Forever stamps cost $1.30 apiece.
2. 2 Measure envelopes or packages that are larger than standard size. Use a ruler or measuring tape to find the length and width of an envelope. For packages and bulkier envelopes, be sure to include the thickness along with the length and width. The overall size of the item will be used to determine the cost of postage.
   • Take exact measurements just to be on the safe side. You can always round them up or down depending on the directions you’re given by the postage calculator.
   • Stamps aren’t generally used for large packages, which will need to be shipped through the post office rather than being sent through the mail.

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3. 3 Weigh your envelope if you’ve included gifts, photos, or other extras. To do this, it will be necessary to use a scale sensitive enough to register the item’s weight in ounces or grams. Ordinary kitchen scales will work great for envelopes and small parcels. Heavier packages can be placed on a digital bathroom scale.
   • Most postage calculators will ask you to round up the weight of the item when calculating the price of postage.
   • If you don’t have access to a scale, take your item to the post office. They’ll be able to weigh and ship it for you.
4. 4 Specify the class of the item you’re mailing, There are 3 standard mail classes—Ground, Priority, and First Class. When deciding which class best suits your needs, consider both the weight of your item and how fast you need it to arrive at its destination.
   • Items sent Ground mail (sometimes referred to as “standard shipping”) typically arrive within 2-8 business days. Ground is most useful for sending large quantities of mail at once, handling oversized packages, and saving money on things that aren’t urgent.
   • With Priority Mail, delivery is guaranteed within 1-3 days. To make sending large items more affordable, you have the option of mailing them in a flat rate envelope or box, which costs a fixed rate regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds (32 kg)).
   • First Class mail also usually goes out in 1-3 days, but items are limited to 13 ounces (370 g) in weight. Heavier items will require additional postage.
5. 5 Plug the item’s information into a postage price calculator. In addition to the size, weight, and class of your envelope or package, you’ll be asked to enter its destination, the destination’s postal code, your postal code, and the time and date of shipment. After submitting your item’s info, you’ll be shown the mailing cost, which you can then use to figure out how many stamps you’ll need.
   • If you live in the US, use the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) online postage price calculator by visiting this link: https://postcalc.usps.com/,
   • Put in the item’s info as accurately as possible to make sure you’re paying the right postage,
6. 6 Divide the postage price by the price of a Forever stamp. The number you get is how many stamps you’ll need. If your postage cost comes to $2.32, for example, you would divide 2.32 by 0.58 to get 4. Therefore, you would need 4 stamps.
   • Don’t forget to round up if necessary to ensure that you have enough postage, since it’s not possible to use a fraction of a stamp.
   • Alternatively, you can purchase special stamps used to make up the difference of extra postage. Additional postage stamps are sold in smaller values, such as 1 cent, 2 cents, 3 cents, 5 cents, and 10 cents. You can find a variety of stamps online here,
7. 7 Apply your stamps, Peel the backing off the stamps and press them onto the envelope or package. If possible, position them in the upper righthand corner or somewhere else where they’ll be plainly visible to the mail handler.
   • Arrange multiple stamps in 1 or 2 rows, making sure they don’t overlap.
   • If you’re having trouble applying your stamps properly, take them to the post office and ask for assistance from one of the clerks there.
8. 8 Take items requiring more than 1 stamp to the post office. Overstuffed envelopes, large packages, and anything else that weighs more than 13 ounces (370 g) can’t be mailed through a residential mailbox. You’ll need to take these items to the post office for shipping. Once you’re there, hand off your item directly to one of the employees on duty for processing.
   • Postal clerks can also help you calculate the price of postage and sell you the required number of stamps right there at the post office.
   • In many areas, the postal service will permit you to print out a shipping label and schedule a pickup from home if you’d prefer not to make a trip to the post office.

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1. 1 Bring the sealed item to the post office. Make sure that the flap holding the envelope or package closed is secure. Your item should be neatly addressed and free of extraneous information that might confuse the postal employees, such as old shipping labels or unnecessary writing.
   • To save time, take care of stuffing, sealing, and addressing your item before you arrive.
   • If you’re running low on supplies, you can also purchase mail accessories like envelopes, mailers, and stamps online here,
2. 2 Have your item weighed. Tell one of the employees on duty that you need to know the weight of your item in order to calculate the correct postage. They’ll place it on the scale and give you a cost right there on the spot.
   • The mail clerk may also request a few other pieces of information, such as your postal code, where the item is headed, and whether you want to send it Priority Mail or First Class.
   • Priority mail typically arrives faster, but First Class mail is less expensive. Keep in mind, however, that you can only mail items First Class if they weigh 13 ounces (370 g) or less.
3. 3 Apply the required number of stamps to your item. After affixing the stamps to your envelope or package, hand it over to the postal clerk. Since you’re already at the post office, you also have the option of simply paying for postage, in which case the clerk will print out and stick on a mailing label noting the item’s shipping cost.
   • It will be cheaper to use your own stamps if you brought them along than to pay for postage separately.
   • If you’re not sure how to convert your item’s postage price to the corresponding number of stamps, or you’d just rather not bother, the postal employee on duty will be happy to help.

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Add New Question

• Question How much postage for 9″ x 12″ envelope weighing 8 oz? USPS classifies a 9″ x 12″ envelope as a “flat.” At this writing, the postage rate for flats is $1.00 for the first ounce, and $0.21 for each additional ounce. So the postage required for an 8-ounce flat is $2.47.
• Question Why do you recommend people round up using Forever stamps? You’re encouraging them to waste money. Shouldn’t one just keep a handful of lower denomination stamps around and pay the exact rate? Your suggestion is helpful. However, some people might find it more convenient to use Forever stamps (or the equivalent).
• Question Can I mail a box to another state using stamps if it fits in my mailbox? Yes. However, the Postal Service would prefer that you mail the parcel at a post office, because they are required to make general inquiries about the contents of the package (for safety reasons).

See more answers Ask a Question 200 characters left Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. Submit Advertisement

If you attempt to mail something heavy or oddly-shaped in a regular envelope, it may be necessary to weigh it and pay additional postage.

Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

• Envelope or flat rate mailer box
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Scale (capable of measuring in ounces or grams)
• Stamps
• Pen

Article Summary X To figure out how many stamps you should use to mail a letter or package, first measure the length and width of your letter or the length, width, and height of your package. Then use a scale to weigh your item. Next, decide whether you want to send your item by Standard, First Class, or Priority Mail.

When you have that information, go online and use the USPS postage price calculator. Finally, divide the price you get from the calculator by the price of a regular stamp to figure out how many stamps you need. For more details on using the right number of stamps to mail your letter or package, including what you can mail for just 1 stamp, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,250,709 times.

If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.

How many times can a stamp be used?

Do Forever Stamps Expire? – Forever stamps will always be able to mail a one-ounce letter no matter when you purchased it or how much the prices may change in the future. They’re always sold at the same price as the standard First-Class stamps. Interestingly, all of the main postage rates are increasing even for forever stamps and Priority Mail, so you might want to stock up! However, the prices of online postage services will remain the same outside of the raw postage rates themselves.

How do I know how many stamps to use without a scale?

Download Article Download Article You’ve got your letter or package all ready to go, but how many stamps do you need before it can go out in the mail? Not to worry—with the right resources, it’s super simple to calculate the postage for just about any parcel. To help you get started, we’ll teach you how to use a postage calculator for quick, accurate results.

1. 1 Use a Forever stamp for most standard mail items. A single Forever stamp will be enough to send off an item in a commercial envelope measuring 11.5 inches (29 cm) by 5 inches (13 cm) and weighing 1 ounce (28 g) or less. Anything larger will require extra postage, which you can add up using a postage calculator.
   • As of February 2022, the cost of a single Forever stamp is $0.58.
   • Forever stamps are useful for mailing letters, greeting cards, and paper items weighing less than 1 ounce (28 g).
   • To send a standard commercial envelope somewhere outside the United States, you’ll need to use a Global Forever stamp. At this time, Global Forever stamps cost $1.30 apiece.
2. 2 Measure envelopes or packages that are larger than standard size. Use a ruler or measuring tape to find the length and width of an envelope. For packages and bulkier envelopes, be sure to include the thickness along with the length and width. The overall size of the item will be used to determine the cost of postage.
   • Take exact measurements just to be on the safe side. You can always round them up or down depending on the directions you’re given by the postage calculator.
   • Stamps aren’t generally used for large packages, which will need to be shipped through the post office rather than being sent through the mail.

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3. 3 Weigh your envelope if you’ve included gifts, photos, or other extras. To do this, it will be necessary to use a scale sensitive enough to register the item’s weight in ounces or grams. Ordinary kitchen scales will work great for envelopes and small parcels. Heavier packages can be placed on a digital bathroom scale.
   • Most postage calculators will ask you to round up the weight of the item when calculating the price of postage.
   • If you don’t have access to a scale, take your item to the post office. They’ll be able to weigh and ship it for you.
4. 4 Specify the class of the item you’re mailing, There are 3 standard mail classes—Ground, Priority, and First Class. When deciding which class best suits your needs, consider both the weight of your item and how fast you need it to arrive at its destination.
   • Items sent Ground mail (sometimes referred to as “standard shipping”) typically arrive within 2-8 business days. Ground is most useful for sending large quantities of mail at once, handling oversized packages, and saving money on things that aren’t urgent.
   • With Priority Mail, delivery is guaranteed within 1-3 days. To make sending large items more affordable, you have the option of mailing them in a flat rate envelope or box, which costs a fixed rate regardless of weight (up to 70 pounds (32 kg)).
   • First Class mail also usually goes out in 1-3 days, but items are limited to 13 ounces (370 g) in weight. Heavier items will require additional postage.
5. 5 Plug the item’s information into a postage price calculator. In addition to the size, weight, and class of your envelope or package, you’ll be asked to enter its destination, the destination’s postal code, your postal code, and the time and date of shipment. After submitting your item’s info, you’ll be shown the mailing cost, which you can then use to figure out how many stamps you’ll need.
   • If you live in the US, use the United States Postal Service’s (USPS) online postage price calculator by visiting this link: https://postcalc.usps.com/,
   • Put in the item’s info as accurately as possible to make sure you’re paying the right postage,
6. 6 Divide the postage price by the price of a Forever stamp. The number you get is how many stamps you’ll need. If your postage cost comes to $2.32, for example, you would divide 2.32 by 0.58 to get 4. Therefore, you would need 4 stamps.
   • Don’t forget to round up if necessary to ensure that you have enough postage, since it’s not possible to use a fraction of a stamp.
   • Alternatively, you can purchase special stamps used to make up the difference of extra postage. Additional postage stamps are sold in smaller values, such as 1 cent, 2 cents, 3 cents, 5 cents, and 10 cents. You can find a variety of stamps online here,
7. 7 Apply your stamps, Peel the backing off the stamps and press them onto the envelope or package. If possible, position them in the upper righthand corner or somewhere else where they’ll be plainly visible to the mail handler.
   • Arrange multiple stamps in 1 or 2 rows, making sure they don’t overlap.
   • If you’re having trouble applying your stamps properly, take them to the post office and ask for assistance from one of the clerks there.
8. 8 Take items requiring more than 1 stamp to the post office. Overstuffed envelopes, large packages, and anything else that weighs more than 13 ounces (370 g) can’t be mailed through a residential mailbox. You’ll need to take these items to the post office for shipping. Once you’re there, hand off your item directly to one of the employees on duty for processing.
   • Postal clerks can also help you calculate the price of postage and sell you the required number of stamps right there at the post office.
   • In many areas, the postal service will permit you to print out a shipping label and schedule a pickup from home if you’d prefer not to make a trip to the post office.

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1. 1 Bring the sealed item to the post office. Make sure that the flap holding the envelope or package closed is secure. Your item should be neatly addressed and free of extraneous information that might confuse the postal employees, such as old shipping labels or unnecessary writing.
   • To save time, take care of stuffing, sealing, and addressing your item before you arrive.
   • If you’re running low on supplies, you can also purchase mail accessories like envelopes, mailers, and stamps online here,
2. 2 Have your item weighed. Tell one of the employees on duty that you need to know the weight of your item in order to calculate the correct postage. They’ll place it on the scale and give you a cost right there on the spot.
   • The mail clerk may also request a few other pieces of information, such as your postal code, where the item is headed, and whether you want to send it Priority Mail or First Class.
   • Priority mail typically arrives faster, but First Class mail is less expensive. Keep in mind, however, that you can only mail items First Class if they weigh 13 ounces (370 g) or less.
3. 3 Apply the required number of stamps to your item. After affixing the stamps to your envelope or package, hand it over to the postal clerk. Since you’re already at the post office, you also have the option of simply paying for postage, in which case the clerk will print out and stick on a mailing label noting the item’s shipping cost.
   • It will be cheaper to use your own stamps if you brought them along than to pay for postage separately.
   • If you’re not sure how to convert your item’s postage price to the corresponding number of stamps, or you’d just rather not bother, the postal employee on duty will be happy to help.

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Add New Question

• Question How much postage for 9″ x 12″ envelope weighing 8 oz? USPS classifies a 9″ x 12″ envelope as a “flat.” At this writing, the postage rate for flats is $1.00 for the first ounce, and $0.21 for each additional ounce. So the postage required for an 8-ounce flat is $2.47.
• Question Why do you recommend people round up using Forever stamps? You’re encouraging them to waste money. Shouldn’t one just keep a handful of lower denomination stamps around and pay the exact rate? Your suggestion is helpful. However, some people might find it more convenient to use Forever stamps (or the equivalent).
• Question Can I mail a box to another state using stamps if it fits in my mailbox? Yes. However, the Postal Service would prefer that you mail the parcel at a post office, because they are required to make general inquiries about the contents of the package (for safety reasons).

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If you attempt to mail something heavy or oddly-shaped in a regular envelope, it may be necessary to weigh it and pay additional postage.

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• Envelope or flat rate mailer box
• Ruler or measuring tape
• Scale (capable of measuring in ounces or grams)
• Stamps
• Pen

Article Summary X To figure out how many stamps you should use to mail a letter or package, first measure the length and width of your letter or the length, width, and height of your package. Then use a scale to weigh your item. Next, decide whether you want to send your item by Standard, First Class, or Priority Mail.

When you have that information, go online and use the USPS postage price calculator. Finally, divide the price you get from the calculator by the price of a regular stamp to figure out how many stamps you need. For more details on using the right number of stamps to mail your letter or package, including what you can mail for just 1 stamp, read on! Did this summary help you? Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 1,250,709 times.

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How many stamps do I need international?

Step 4: Calculate & Apply Postage – For just 1 $1.50 First-Class Mail International Global Forever stamp, you can send a 1 oz letter or postcard to any other country in the world. Put stamps in the upper right corner of the envelope. (For postcards, put the stamp in the space provided near the delivery address.) If your letter is heavier or bigger, if your postcard is large or square, or if you want to add extra services, you’ll need to pay more.

Show More Postage for international letters depends on weight, size/shape, and the price group of the country that you’re sending to. (See the Country Price Groups listing.) You can weigh your letter with a kitchen scale, postal scale, at a self-service kiosk, or at the Post Office ™ counter. TIP: As a rule of thumb, you can send a 1 oz letter (4 sheets of regular printer paper and a business-sized envelope) or a postcard—to any country in the world—for 1 First-Class Mail ® Global Forever stamp (currently $1.50).

You can also use any other combination of stamps that adds up to $1.50. The postage for a large envelope (or flat) starts at $3.00 for 1 oz.

Can you use 2 stamps for a large letter?

Yes, as long as the value of those two stamps is equal or greater than the cost of sending that Large Letter. Putting 2 x 5p stamps on it won’t work. At the moment, 1st and 2nd class Letter rates are 95p and 68p respectively, while Large Letters are £1.45 and £1.05.

How many stamps do you buy at once?

Postage Stamp Frequently Asked Questions –

Where Can You Purchase Stamps?

Stamps can be purchased at grocery stores, pharmacies, post offices, some banks and office stores, as well as through many vendors online.

How Much Do Stamps Cost?

Currently, a postage stamp for a standard one ounce letter costs $0.55. This means one First Class Mail Letter sent domestically requires either a forever stamp or $0.55 worth of postage stamps.

How Much Does it Cost to Add Weight to a Letter?

The cost of adding weight to First Class Mail letters is $0.15 per ounce. This means it only costs $0.70 to mail a two ounce letter. You can use a combination of stamps of lower values to equal the new amount, such as a $0.55, a $0.10 and a $0.05 stamp.

Do All of Today’s Stamps Cost $0.55?

No. Stamps can be purchased in a range of denominations from amounts as low as 1, 2, and 3 cents to larger amounts up to $25.50 (Priority Express Stamps).

How Much Do Standard Postcards Cost?

Regular postcards cost $0.35.

Does It Cost More To Send Letters Internationally?

Yes. Stamps for one ounce letters sent as First Class International Mail start at $1.20.

Can You Purchase Stamps in Bulk?

Yes. Stamps can be purchased as sheets/books of 20 as well as coils/rolls of 100. Stamps can often be purchased for discount prices online with older styles and forever stamps.

What Happens to Mail That Cannot Be Delivered?

Mail that cannot be delivered and does not have return address may sent to a Mail Recovery Center (formally referred to as the Dead Letter Office). There items are donated, recycled, destroyed, discarded, or auctioned off. Remembering to include a return address can help ensure that items that are undeliverable are returned to the sender.