A postcard receives the postcard rate only when it meets applicable size, thickness, shape, and preparation standards.
Current postcard values
| Domestic postcard | 65¢ |
|---|---|
| International postcard base | $1.75 |
When a card is not priced as a postcard
An oversized, square, too-thick, rigid, or unusually prepared card may be treated as a letter or another mailpiece. Decorative attachments can also change machinability.
Using other stamps
You may use valid stamps whose combined value meets the required amount, but a regular 82¢ Forever Stamp would overpay a qualifying 65¢ domestic postcard.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a postcard stamp?
65¢ for an eligible domestic postcard.
Are postcard stamps Forever Stamps?
Postcard-category stamps are nondenominated and track the applicable postcard rate, but they are not equal to the one-ounce letter Forever value.
Can I use a postcard stamp on a letter?
It contributes its current postcard value, so additional postage is needed to meet the letter rate.
Sources and update note
- USPS Notice 123 — current price list
- USPS DMM 101 — physical standards
- USPS DMM 604 — postage payment methods
Rates and mailing standards can change. This page was reviewed in August 2026; verify the completed mailpiece when its weight, dimensions, shape, destination, or services are uncertain.
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