How Much Does A Postage Stamp Cost 2024 Current

How Much Does A Postage Stamp Cost - 2024

On January 21st, 2024 the cost of sending a first class (1) ounce letter through USPS goes up two cents to $0.68 for letters mailed within the United States. Extra ounces remain unchanged at $.24/ounce.

Note: prior to this announcement, stamps were $0.66 as of July 9, 2023.

Stamp Price History:
January 22, 2023 - stamps went to $0.63
July 10, 2022 - increased to $0.60.
January 9th, 2022 - stayed at $0.58.
August 2021 - post office raised fee from $0.55 to $0.58
January 27, 2019 - the post office bumped $0.50 to $0.55 for letters.
January 21, 2018 - the fee rose from $0.49 to $0.50 for letters.

[ January 22, 2017 - the post office increased the fee from $0.47 to $0.49
This time, in essence reversing the $0.2 price drop from $0.49 to $0.47 effective April 10, 2016. Noting the $0.49 was the very amount that went into effect January 26, 2014 as the result of a $0.03 increase ]

International letter: cost is at $1.55 for single ounce per above (formerly $1.50)

USPS sendable letters: must have dimensions of no less than 3-1/2 inches tall and maximum of 6 1/8". The width shall be 5" to 11-1/2 inches. The thickness at least .007 inches which should be no more than 1/4" to be handled by the processing facilities.

As new increases reflect an effort by USPS to raise needed funds, the rate charges go higher is based on an inflationary rate which comes from the CPI.

~ Year 1853 is the first year stamps were put into use. ~

Tips

Some consumers buy extra forever stamps since they are claimed to send even when higher postage surpasses these rates in the years ahead. While postage continues to go up, there are still options like electronic mail, or a phone plan with generous or unlimited long distance/texting such as with some of the cell phone carriers. For mailing out bills, many companies have switched to the online payment option - that is, if you are comfortable with its measure of safety.