Key finding: The USPS First-Class Mail 1-ounce letter rate is 82¢ as of July 12, 2026, up from 78¢ a year earlier. That 4¢ increase adds $4 in postage value per 100 eligible letters, $20 per 500 and $40 per 1,000.
Last updated: October 8, 2026.
2025 vs. 2026
| Volume | At 78¢ | At 82¢ | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 | $78 | $82 | +$4 |
| 500 | $390 | $410 | +$20 |
| 1,000 | $780 | $820 | +$40 |
| 5,000 | $3,900 | $4,100 | +$200 |
Three planning implications
Forecast by mailpiece, not by stamp package. A coil of 100 and five panes of 20 contain the same number of stamps, but the finished mailpiece determines the postage requirement.
Separate inventory cost from postage value. The table above describes USPS postage value at the current 1-ounce letter rate. It is not a retailer price comparison.
Recheck unusual mailpieces. Weight, dimensions and machinability can change the required postage. A one-stamp assumption should not be applied blindly to every envelope.
Longer-term context
The 1-ounce domestic letter rate was 55¢ in January 2019, 60¢ in July 2022, 66¢ in July 2023, 73¢ in July 2024, 78¢ in July 2025 and 82¢ in July 2026. From 2019 to 2026, the nominal rate increased 49.1%.
Primary sources
PostageGrid is an independent retailer and is not the U.S. Postal Service. Verify current postal prices and mailpiece eligibility with USPS.
Frequently asked questions
How much did the 2026 letter-rate increase add per 1,000 letters?
The move from 78¢ to 82¢ adds $40 in postage value per 1,000 eligible 1-ounce letters.
What is the percentage increase from 2025 to 2026?
The increase from 78¢ to 82¢ is approximately 5.1%.
Should a business budget postage by stamp package size?
No. Budget from expected mailpiece volume and postal eligibility first; packaging format such as coils, booklets or panes should be treated as an inventory and workflow decision.