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 July 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. Jul 12, 2026)

Quick Answer — Top 2026 USPS Rates

Mail Type Rate
Forever stamp (1 oz letter) $0.82
First-Class postcard $0.65
Large envelope / flat (≤1 oz) $1.63
EDDM Retail (no permit) $0.260/pc
Marketing Mail letter (bulk) from $0.395/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: July 2026 · Source: USPS Notice 123 (eff. Jul 12, 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 two rate changes in 2026. The most recent took effect July 12, 2026. Key increases for direct mail:

  • ↑ Forever stamp (stamped letter): $0.78 → $0.82 (+$0.04, +5%) — eff. Jul 12
  • ↑ First-Class letter (metered): $0.74 → $0.78 (+$0.04, +5%) — eff. Jul 12
  • ↑ First-Class postcard: $0.61 → $0.65 (+$0.04, +7%) — eff. Jul 12
  • ↑ First-Class large envelope (≤1 oz): $1.63 — unchanged from Apr 26 update
  • ↑ April 26 change (reference): stamp $0.73 → $0.78; metered $0.73 → $0.74; postcard $0.56 → $0.61
  • ↑ EDDM Retail: $0.247 → $0.260 (+$0.013) — eff. Jul 12
  • ↑ EDDM BMEU (DDU entry): $0.242 → $0.259 (+$0.017) — eff. Jul 12

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 Contact us for current rate Neighborhood coverage, EDDM-adjacent campaigns
Carrier Route High Density Plus Contact us for current rate Dense residential routes
Automation 5-Digit $0.395 Targeted lists, IMb required
Automation 3-Digit Contact us for current rate Broader geographic lists
Mixed $0.467 Broadest automation sort level

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 Contact us for current rate Neighborhood saturation campaigns
EDDM (carrier route) $0.260 Every Door Direct Mail flats
Carrier Route High Density Plus Contact us for current rate 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 Retail postage rose to $0.260/piece on July 12, 2026 — up from $0.247. EDDM BMEU DDU entry rose to $0.259/piece. 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 $0.260 No 5,000/day per ZIP
EDDM BMEU — DDU entry $0.259 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 $0.78 Standard window envelope
Letter, 1 oz — stamped (Forever) $0.82 Forever stamp price
Letter, 2 oz $1.03 Metered
Letter, 3 oz $1.32 Metered
Postcard $0.65 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 3-Digit Contact us for current rate 500 pieces
Letters — Mixed $0.707 500 pieces
Postcards — Automation 5-Digit $0.420 500 pieces
Postcards — Automation 3-Digit Contact us for current rate 500 pieces
Postcards — Mixed $0.495 500 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 $0.65 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 $0.395 200+ pieces, automation 5-digit and above
EDDM (oversized postcard, ≥6.125″ long) $0.260 200+ 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 Contact us Contact us —
Letters — Automation 5-Digit $0.185 $0.395 ~53%
Letters — Automation 3-Digit Contact us Contact us —
Letters — Mixed $0.257 $0.467 ~45%
Flats — Carrier Route Saturation Contact us Contact us —
Flats — EDDM / Carrier Route $0.181 $0.291 ~38%

Rates effective July 12, 2026 · Source: USPS Notice 123. Shown at no entry discount. Presort and carrier-route pricing varies — contact us for your exact per-piece rate. 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 $0.78. Using a Forever stamp (stamped letter) costs $0.82. USPS raised First-Class retail rates on July 12, 2026 — up from $0.74 (metered) and $0.78 (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) Retail postage in 2026 is $0.260 per piece — no permit required, limit 5,000 pieces per day per ZIP. EDDM Retail rose from $0.247 on July 12, 2026. EDDM BMEU (Business Mail Entry Unit) at DDU entry is $0.259 per piece; it requires a permit but removes the daily volume cap.
What is the cheapest way to mail postcards in bulk?
The cheapest bulk postcard option is EDDM at $0.259–$0.260 per piece, which requires no mailing list. For targeted list mailings, Marketing Mail carrier route saturation rates vary — contact us for current pricing. A single First-Class postcard costs $0.65 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 automation 5-digit rates of $0.185 per piece for letters as of July 12, 2026 — approximately 53% less than comparable commercial rates ($0.395). Carrier route saturation and 3-digit tier pricing varies; contact us for a per-piece quote. 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. Automation 5-digit rates start at $0.395 per piece; carrier route saturation tiers are lower — contact us for current carrier-route pricing. Marketing Mail delivers in 3–10 business days with no forwarding or return service. First-Class Mail costs more — $0.593+ per piece in bulk or $0.78 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 two rate changes in 2026. The first took effect April 26 (Forever stamp: $0.73 → $0.78; metered: $0.73 → $0.74; postcard: $0.56 → $0.61). The second took effect July 12, 2026: Forever stamp rose from $0.78 to $0.82; metered letter rose from $0.74 to $0.78; First-Class postcards rose from $0.61 to $0.65. EDDM Retail rose from $0.247 to $0.260 on July 12; EDDM BMEU DDU entry rose from $0.242 to $0.259.
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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