19+ Valuable Points About How many stamps do I need?

I’m writing this post because I have noticed that a lot of people are asking for the answer to the question “How many stamps do I need?” and there is no definitive answer. Each person’s situation is different, so you need to consider what your needs are before making your decision.

1. How many stamps do I need for a letter?

Assuming you have a letter that is 1 page, has standard-sized writing paper (8.5 x 11 inches) and you want to use first-class mail:

Envelope Size Standard Envelopes* Thick Envelopes Extra-Thick Envelopes Up To 1/4″ 3.3 4 4.5 Up To 1/2″ 3.3 4 6 Up To 1″ 4 4 6 Up To 2″ 5 5 7

When you write your letter, most people leave about a half-inch gap between the edge of the paper and where they sign their name. So if you don’t take this into account with your calculations, then you may be going over the weight limit for a first-class letter. An easy way to do this is to find a book with a similar thickness and put it in the envelope so you can write your name around it. This way you can mark how far from the edge your paper needs to be.

*Based on 20# bond paper

2. How many stamps do I need for a package?

To find out how many stamps you’ll need for your package, take the length, width, and height of your package in inches (use the ruler on the side to help you measure), and take those numbers into this online calculator to get an idea of how much postage you’ll need. It will be a combination of stamps and shipping labels, but you can use clear shipping labels without glue on them if you already have a way to get the address on there.

3. How many stamps do I need for an international package?

To send a package internationally, you’ll need to put a customs declaration label on there. As of January 2016, they don’t have a postage requirement listed with them, but if you want to play it safe I’d personally use the same amount you would for a first-class letter that weighs about 1 ounce to cover yourself just in case. You can find more information in this post.

4. The cost of postage?

The cost of postage depends on how much your envelope or package weighs, and also sometimes what service you want to use too. There are dozens of different services available with different prices, delivery speeds, and tracking abilities. Here is a list.

Since all stamps go up in price every year by at least the rate of inflation (there was about a 4% increase in the cost of postage from 2015-2016), it’s also a good idea to keep an eye on prices as well. For example, since January 2016, the price of a Forever stamp has increased by 1 cent to 49 cents.

5. What is the post office’s mailing address?

Whether you are mailing your letter, package, or international shipment, you can look up the United States Post Office’s complete mailing address to print out either on an envelope or in a shipping label.

6. When should I mail my package so it arrives on time?

Here is a website that will give you an estimated delivery date (for letters at least) based on what your departure city and destination city are. If you want to mail something ASAP, it also tells you the best time of day to send your package out either via first-class or priority mail.

7. What services does the United States Post Office offer?

These are just some of the services that the United States post office offers:

Domestic First-class Mail – 3 to 4 business days from when it’s shipped.

Priority Mail Express – 1 to 2 business days from when it’s shipped.

Domestic Parcel Post – 3 to 8 business days from when it’s shipped.

International Mail – Items that weigh up to 20 ounces can be shipped by first-class international mail. USPS offers economical services to select countries or economies plus services for countries that are farther away.

Priority Mail Express International – 6 to 10 business days from when it’s shipped. Priority Mail International – 6 to 10 business days from when it’s shipped.

First-Class Mail International – 6 to 10 business days from when it’s shipped.

8. How should I store my stamps?

Make sure that you keep your unused stamps in a cool dry place, and not in direct sunlight or other moist environments. Although, don’t seal the envelope too tightly either because then they might become creased and unusable.

9. How long do stamps last?

Stamps can last for quite a long time, the USPS says that they will “remain many years if they are kept in normal conditions.”  So as long as you keep them somewhere dark and dry (not directly exposed to high heat), and out of direct sunlight, you can store them indefinitely.

10. How do I cancel my stamps?

If you want to cancel an unused postage stamp, then it’s not that hard at all! Simply take your envelope with the stamp on it to your local post office, and tell them that you would like to “cancel” it. They will do so for you, and usually, they won’t even charge a fee to do so.

11. The USPS has a hand stamp I can use?

Yes! If you want to reuse postage from an envelope that already has a stamp on it, then all their branches have at the very least a blue ink rubber hand stamp that will let you re-use the stamp and cancel it out.

12. Can I reuse a postage stamp?

Yes! The USPS says that you can re-use stamps as long as they aren’t “defaced or mutilated”  which would make them no longer valid for postal use. These stamps can easily be reused (and most post offices will have a blue ink rubber stamp you can use to re-cancel stamps that have already been used). You can read more about it here.

13. How long does it take for a USPS package to arrive?

This is a difficult question because, as we’ve mentioned before, there are so many different kinds of postal services and delivery speeds, and they vary from country to country.

14. The difference between first-class and standard mail.

First-class mail, as defined by the USPS, is any letter weighing up to an ounce. For one first-class postage stamp, you can send it domestically or internationally, and delivery usually takes 3 to 4 business days.

15. The difference between priority and express mail.

The difference between these two types of shipping is that Priority mail will get there within 2 to 3 business days, while express mail gets there the next day. Although, express is usually more expensive than a priority.

16. How much does first-class international postage cost?

For letters weighing up to an ounce, first-class international postage costs $1.15 for delivery within Canada and Mexico but it’s $1.20 for delivery to the rest of the world ($.92 and $.98 if there is a meter strip along with it).

17. How much do international stamps cost?

International postage costs vary depending on what country you plan on sending them to, and how you will be shipping them (priority, first-class, etc.). The USPS publishes the postage overview, which you can find here.

18. How much does priority mail postage cost?

For priority mail international, it costs $24.95 for up to 4 lbs., but it’s free if you are shipping anything weighing over 4 lbs. Priority mail also comes with a tracking number included in the price, and it gets there in 6 to 10 business days.

19. How much does Priority Express Mail cost?

For priority express mail, it costs $39.95 for up to 4 lbs., but it’s free if you are shipping anything weighing over 4 lbs. Priority express also comes with a tracking number included in the price, and it gets there in 2 to 3 business days.

20. How much does first-class postage cost?

For first-class letters weighing less than an ounce, first-class postage costs $0.49 for delivery within Canada and Mexico but it’s $0.55 for delivery to the rest of the world ($0.31 and $0.34 if there is a meter strip along with it).

Conclusion:

The number of stamps you need depends on the size and weight of your mail piece. For example, if it weighs more than one ounce, but less than two ounces, then you will use a 9-cent stamp. If it is heavier than 2 oz., then you will need to purchase an 11-cent stamp instead. Regardless of what type of postage needs to be used for your mailing job or how many pieces are being mailed at once, we’ll have just the right amount when they arrive in our store; guaranteed!