Q&A for How to Know How Many Stamps to Use

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  • Question
    How much postage for 9" x 12" envelope weighing 8 oz?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    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).
  • Question
    How many stamps should I use for something that weighs 170 grams?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    170 grams equal almost exactly six ounces, so you would need $1.55 in postage, which means four first-class stamps (or three stamps plus a 5-cent stamp).
  • Question
    Do I have to use a shipping label to mail something overseas?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you will have to get a customs label, which requires naming the contents of the letter/package, etc.
  • Question
    How many forever stamp do I put on an envelope weighing 2 pounds?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Too many to apply to one envelope. Take it to a post office, have them weigh it, and pay for the appropriate postage.
  • Question
    How much postage for a 6" x 9" envelope? One oz. and over.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    That would require two forever stamps (or the equivalent) because of the weight.
  • Question
    Should I take this literally— ”May Require Extra postage” if it's on a greeting card envelope?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    That may mean that the combined weight of the card and the envelope is so close to one ounce that you should have them weighed before deciding how much postage to apply.
  • Question
    What is the current rate of postage for a 6" x 9" envelope that weighs just under 2 ounces?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    In early 2023 the cost was 87 cents. (That's for any letter measuring less than 11½" by 6 1/8" and weighing less than two ounces.)
  • Question
    My envelope is 8.5 x 5.5. Do I need extra postage?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No, not if the mailpiece weighs less than one ounce. A letter does not require extra postage if it weighs less than an ounce and is not longer than 11½ inches and not taller than 6 1/8 inches.
  • Question
    How many forever stamps do I need for international mail?
    Community Answer
    Two, plus a ten cent stamp (as of December 2020). However, if you can't get a 10 cent stamp, you can use 3. Note it'll be overpaying, but it'll still work.
  • Question
    How do I know how my forever stamps my envelope needs? How many forever stamps do I need per gram?
    Community Answer
    It's actually 1 Forever stamp per ounce, so if your envelope weighs one ounce or less, it'll need 1 stamp, if it weighs 2 ounces or less (but more than one ounce), it'll be 2 stamps, and so on.
  • Question
    Can I get a tracking number from the post office on my ready self stamped package?
    Community Answer
    Yes. They will calculate the postage required and subtract the total value of stamps already on the package (which will bring the postage owed to zero if you calculated it correctly). They will then apply 'live' tracking to your package and will mail it for you. (You cannot get the package back at this point, because the their system will consider the package as 'accepted' as soon as it creates that tracking label.)
  • Question
    Can I use forever stamps for media mail?
    Community Answer
    Forever stamps are always worth the current 1st class 1 oz letter rate. Postage for any package can be paid with stamps as long as the total value of stamps applied is enough to cover the postage needed. However, packages of over 10 oz or 1/2 inch thick must be either brought to the post office retail counter, have online postage, or postage from an imprint machine (ie: Pitney Bowes). This is an aviation security policy that essentially creates a 'paper trail'.
  • Question
    What would the postage cost be on a padded 8.5" by 11" envelope that weighs 3 oz.?
    Community Answer
    In the USA, if it contains nothing rigid and is fairly uniformly flat, as of Januart 2020, $1.40.
  • Question
    How much postage is required on a greeting card sent from the USA to another country?
    Community Answer
    You can go to postcalc.usps.com/Calculator/Index?country=10440 , enter your shipping info, and select the appropriate package/letter type for pricing options. Note: If you sending overseas to a military address like a base, ship, or embassy (city, state are something like "APO AE" or "FPO AP", for example), it is treated like stateside mail with a few restrictions. Visit postcalc.usps.com/MilitaryRestrictions and enter the destination zip code to find out the specifics for that area.
  • Question
    How do I tell if one stamp will work for my envelope?
    Community Answer
    Typically, size and weight determine price. All envelopes must be flat. Envelopes that can’t fit through automated processing equipment costs more to send; this includes lumpy or rigid envelopes, and those that have clasps, string or buttons. Unusually-shaped square or vertical envelopes will also cost more to send.
  • Question
    How much postage do I put on a regular envelope weighing 1.2 oz?
    Community Answer
    As of December 2019, $0.70. I've found the USPS website calculator at postcalc.usps.com to be the most help if you are adamant about avoiding the post office in person.
  • Question
    If I am sending a 6-page letter with 10 photos in it, how many Forever stamps should I use?
    Community Answer
    There are a few variables that will determine the postage price, like its origin and destination, which level of service you use (Ground, Priority, First Class, etc.) and the size of your envelope. Visit the Postage Price Calculator at postcalc.usps.com to get the best estimate.
  • Question
    Can I get labels at the post office?
    Community Answer
    Yes the post office sells stamps, money orders, etc. They also provide USPS logo labels for free.
  • Question
    If I'm mailing a 6 x 9 envelope that weighs 4 ounces and it's going from zip code area 80109 to area 93888. How many stamps should I use?
    Community Answer
    Use about 4 Forever stamps. However, you may want to take it to the post office to be mailed instead; although this is not required, you can be absolutely certain the stamps added are accurate.
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