How Much Does It Cost to Mail a Postcard?

As of July 12, 2026, mailing a standard postcard in the US costs $0.65 — that's the current USPS postcard stamp rate, up from $0.61 after the mid-2026 postage increase.

That answer comes with two catches worth knowing: not every postcard qualifies for the postcard rate, and the stamp is only part of what a postcard actually costs to send.

Current rates at a glance

• Standard postcard (up to 4.25" × 6"): $0.65
• Oversized postcard (larger than 4.25" × 6", such as 6×9): letter rate, $0.82
• Forever stamp used on a postcard: works, but you're paying $0.82 for $0.65 of postage

USPS defines a postcard as at least 3.5" × 5" and no larger than 4.25" × 6". Anything bigger is charged as a letter — so a large-format 6×9 postcard needs an $0.82 Forever stamp, not a postcard stamp.

Can you use a Forever stamp on a postcard?

Yes. A Forever stamp always covers at least one ounce of First-Class postage, which is more than a postcard needs. It will get your card delivered — you're just overpaying by 17 cents. If you mail postcards regularly, buying actual postcard stamps saves the difference.

What a postcard really costs to send

The stamp is the visible cost. The full cost of sending one postcard the traditional way usually includes the card itself (typically $1–3 at a shop, or the cost of printing a photo card), the stamp, and the errand — finding stamps, and getting the card to a mailbox or post office.

That math is why online postcard services exist. With Ink Dove, you design a real printed postcard from your phone and we print, address, stamp, and mail it anywhere in the US for $1.79 (4×6) or $2.29 (6×9) — postage included, no stamps to buy. Here's how mailing a postcard online works.

Rates change — here's the pattern

USPS has adjusted postage most years recently, typically each July. The postcard rate has climbed from $0.44 (2021) to $0.65 (July 2026). If you're reading this after a newer rate change, check USPS's current prices — and note that Forever and postcard-rate stamps you already own remain valid at their class of service.