2026 USPS Postage Rates

Current rates for Marketing Mail, EDDM, First-Class presort, and Nonprofit mail — plus automation discounts, presort minimums, and permit requirements. Verified May 2026.

USPS postage rates change periodically — verify current rates before planning your budget. Cornerstone automatically applies the lowest qualifying rate to every campaign we process.

Last updated: · Source: USPS Notice 123 (eff. Apr 26, 2026)

Quick Answer — Top 2026 USPS Rates

Mail Type Rate
Forever stamp (1 oz letter) $0.78
First-Class postcard $0.61
Large envelope / flat (≤1 oz) $1.63
EDDM Retail (no permit) $0.247/pc
Marketing Mail letter (bulk) from $0.244/pc
Sean Griffin, Owner of Cornerstone Services

Compiled by Sean Griffin, Owner — Cornerstone Services, Inc.

Sean has processed bulk mail campaigns for Hudson Valley businesses since 1998. The rates on this page are applied to every campaign Cornerstone produces. We update this guide every time USPS announces a rate change.

Last reviewed: May 2026 · Source: USPS Notice 123 (eff. Apr 26, 2026)

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CRST Insider Tip

Postage rates shown include 2026 USPS increases. For mailings over 500 pieces, our presort services can save you 5-15% on postage costs. The larger your mailing, the more you save.

What Changed in 2026

USPS implemented a rate change effective April 26, 2026. EDDM rates were not changed. Key increases for direct mail:

  • ↑ Forever stamp (stamped letter): $0.73 → $0.78 (+$0.05, +7%)
  • ↑ First-Class letter (metered): $0.73 → $0.74 (+$0.01)
  • ↑ First-Class postcard: $0.56 → $0.61 (+$0.05, +9%)
  • ↑ First-Class large envelope (≤1 oz): $1.35 → $1.63 (+$0.28, +21%)
  • ↑ Marketing Mail letters (automation 5-digit): $0.308 → $0.372
  • ↑ Marketing Mail letters (automation AADC): $0.357 → $0.407
  • ✓ EDDM Retail: unchanged at $0.247/piece
  • ✓ EDDM BMEU (DDU entry): unchanged at $0.242/piece

Marketing Mail Rates 2026

Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) is the most common class for direct mail advertising. Requires a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 lbs per mailing. Delivery is typically 3–10 business days. Cornerstone's full-service mailing automatically qualifies your campaign for the lowest applicable rate.

Marketing Mail — Letters (≤3.5 oz)

Sort / Entry Level Rate per Piece Best For
Carrier Route Saturation $0.244 Neighborhood coverage, EDDM-adjacent campaigns
Carrier Route High Density Plus $0.275 Dense residential routes
Automation 5-Digit $0.372 Targeted lists, IMb required
Automation AADC $0.407 Broader geographic lists

Marketing Mail — Flats / Self-Mailers (≤4 oz)

Flats include catalogs, booklets, oversized postcards, and self-mailers that exceed letter dimensions. Carrier route rates apply to saturation mailings; automation-sorted targeted flat campaigns are significantly higher.

Sort / Entry Level Rate per Piece Notes
Carrier Route Saturation $0.290 Neighborhood saturation campaigns
EDDM (carrier route) $0.291 Every Door Direct Mail flats
Carrier Route High Density Plus $0.351 Dense residential routes
Carrier Route Basic $0.501 Lower-density carrier routes
Automation 5-Digit (sorted flat) $0.770 Targeted list + full automation sort

EDDM Postage Rates 2026

EDDM delivers to every address on selected carrier routes — no mailing list needed. Ideal for local businesses wanting blanket coverage. EDDM postage rates were not changed in the April 26, 2026 rate update. See our EDDM service page for the full breakdown, or estimate your EDDM campaign cost.

EDDM Type Rate per Piece Permit Required? Daily Limit
EDDM Retail $0.247 No 5,000/day per ZIP
EDDM BMEU — DDU entry $0.242 Yes No limit
EDDM BMEU — DSCF entry $0.253 Yes No limit
EDDM BMEU — Origin entry $0.291 Yes No limit

First-Class Mail Rates 2026

First-Class is faster (1–3 days) and includes forwarding and return service. Used for invoices, statements, and time-sensitive communications. Presort discounts are available for 500+ pieces with an Intelligent Mail barcode (IMb).

Single Piece — Retail

Piece Type Rate Notes
Letter, 1 oz — metered $0.74 Standard window envelope
Letter, 1 oz — stamped (Forever) $0.78 Forever stamp price
Letter, 2 oz $1.03 Metered
Letter, 3 oz $1.32 Metered
Postcard $0.61 Min 3.5″×5″, max 4.25″×6″

Presorted / Bulk (500+ pieces)

Sort Level Rate per Piece Min. Quantity
Letters — Automation 5-Digit $0.593 500 pieces
Letters — Automation AADC $0.641 500 pieces
Postcards — Automation 5-Digit $0.420 500 pieces
Postcards — Automation AADC $0.445 500 pieces

Postcard Postage 2026

USPS defines a postcard as a single-sheet, unfolded piece between 3.5″×5″ and 4.25″×6″ (min), made of cardstock at least 0.007″ thick. Oversized cards that exceed postcard dimensions mail at letter or flat rates.

Service / Volume Rate Requirements
First-Class single piece $0.61 3.5″×5″ – 4.25″×6″ (USPS postcard dimensions)
First-Class bulk (automation 5-digit) $0.420 500+ pieces, IMb, presorted
Marketing Mail bulk (letter rate) from $0.244 200+ pieces, carrier route saturation
EDDM (oversized postcard, ≥6.125″ long) $0.247 200+ pieces, no permit, every address

Large Envelope (Flat) Rates 2026

USPS classifies pieces larger than 6.125″ tall or 11.5″ long or 0.25″ thick as large envelopes (also called flats). Common formats include 9×12 envelopes, A10 envelopes, and catalog mailers. First-Class large envelope postage increased 21% on April 26, 2026.

Weight (not over) First-Class Retail Notes
1 oz$1.63Most 9×12 single-sheet mailings
2 oz$1.90
3 oz$2.17
4 oz$2.44
5 oz$2.72
6 oz$3.00
7 oz$3.28
8 oz$3.56
9 oz$3.84
10 oz$4.14
13 oz$5.04Max First-Class flat weight

Non-Profit Mail Rates 2026

Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations receive significantly reduced USPS rates — typically 40–50% less than commercial Marketing Mail. Requires USPS nonprofit authorization via PS Form 3624. See our nonprofit mailing services page and savings calculator.

Mail Piece / Sort Level Nonprofit Rate vs. Commercial Savings
Letters — Carrier Route Saturation $0.155 $0.244 ~37%
Letters — Automation 5-Digit $0.178 $0.372 ~52%
Letters — Automation AADC $0.213 $0.407 ~48%
Flats — Carrier Route Saturation $0.180 $0.290 ~38%
Flats — EDDM / Carrier Route $0.181 $0.291 ~38%

Rates shown at no entry discount (origin facility). DSCF/DDU entry discounts available. Nonprofit authorization is permanent once approved.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 2026 USPS postage rate for a standard letter?
The 2026 USPS First-Class rate for a 1 oz metered letter is $0.74. Using a Forever stamp (stamped letter) costs $0.78. USPS raised First-Class retail rates on April 26, 2026 — up from $0.73 (metered) and $0.73 (stamped). For bulk presorted First-Class mailings of 500+ pieces, automation rates start at $0.593 per piece at the 5-digit sort level.
How much does EDDM postage cost in 2026?
EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) postage in 2026 costs $0.247 per piece for EDDM Retail — no permit required, limit 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP. EDDM BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit) at DDU entry costs $0.242 per piece; it requires a permit but removes the daily volume cap. EDDM postage was not affected by the April 26, 2026 rate change and is unchanged from 2025.
What is the cheapest way to mail postcards in bulk?
The cheapest bulk postcard option is EDDM at $0.242–$0.247 per piece, which requires no mailing list. For targeted list mailings, Marketing Mail carrier route saturation rates start at $0.244 per piece (200-piece minimum). A single First-Class postcard costs $0.61 at retail in 2026. The right choice depends on whether you need targeted addressing or blanket neighborhood coverage.
What are the USPS Nonprofit postage rates for 2026?
Qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations can mail Marketing Mail at carrier route saturation rates starting at $0.155 per piece for letters and $0.180 per piece for flats — roughly 40–50% less than standard commercial Marketing Mail rates. Automation 5-digit rates for nonprofit letters are $0.178 per piece. Nonprofit mailing authorization requires USPS PS Form 3624. Cornerstone helps nonprofits apply for and maintain their authorization.
What is the difference between Marketing Mail and First-Class Mail?
Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) is designed for advertising and bulk mailings. It starts at $0.244 per piece for carrier route saturation letters but delivers in 3–10 business days with no forwarding or return service. First-Class Mail costs more — $0.593+ per piece in bulk or $0.74 at retail — but delivers in 1–3 days and includes address forwarding and return to sender. First-Class is best for invoices, statements, and time-sensitive mail. Marketing Mail is best for advertising campaigns, coupons, and newsletters.
What is the minimum quantity for bulk mail postage rates?
USPS Marketing Mail requires a minimum of 200 pieces or 50 lbs per mailing, whichever comes first. First-Class presort discounts require a minimum of 500 pieces. EDDM Retail has a minimum of 200 pieces per mailing per ZIP code. To access bulk rates you need a valid USPS mailing permit — Cornerstone can mail under our permit on your behalf, so most clients never need to obtain their own.
Did USPS raise postage rates in 2026?
Yes. USPS implemented a rate change effective April 26, 2026. Key increases for direct mail senders: First-Class metered letter rose from $0.73 to $0.74; the Forever stamp rose from $0.73 to $0.78; First-Class postcards rose from $0.56 to $0.61; First-Class large envelopes rose from $1.35 to $1.63 for the first ounce. Marketing Mail automation rates also increased. EDDM postage was not changed — it remains $0.247 (Retail) and $0.242 (BMEU DDU).
How much does a USPS mailing permit cost?
A USPS bulk mail Permit Imprint requires an annual fee that varies by mail class and post office of mailing. Many businesses mail under a direct mail company's existing permit rather than obtaining their own — this is the standard arrangement for periodic mailers. Cornerstone Services mails under our own permit on behalf of clients, so you get access to bulk rates with no permit application required. Contact us for details on permit costs if you need your own account.

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