How to Mail a Letter: Everything You Need to Know
To mail a letter, you need an envelope, a Forever stamp (currently 78 cents as of February 2026), and the recipient’s address. Write their address in the center of the envelope, your return address in the upper left corner, place the stamp in the upper right, and drop it in any USPS blue collection box, post office, or hand it to your mail carrier. First-Class mail typically delivers within 1–5 business days.
What You Need
Envelope: Standard #10 (4.125 x 9.5 inches) for letters, A2 or A7 for cards
Stamp: One Forever stamp for standard letters up to 1 ounce
Pen: Write clearly in dark ink
Your letter or card: Folded and inserted in the envelope
Note: Forever stamps remain valid even if postage rates increase after you purchase them.
How to Address the Envelope
Return Address (upper left corner):
Your Name
123 Your Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15213
Recipient Address (center of envelope):
Recipient Name
456 Their Street
Columbus, OH 43215
USPS preferences:
- Use all capital letters for machine readability (optional for personal mail)
- Write clearly and legibly
- Include the full 9-digit ZIP code if known
- Use standard abbreviations for street types (ST, AVE, BLVD)
Where not to write: Avoid the bottom 5/8 inch of the envelope — this is reserved for USPS barcodes.
For a deeper look at formatting, see our complete guide to how to address a letter.
Stamps and Postage
Current rates (verify at USPS.com before mailing):
Forever stamp: 78 cents (covers 1 ounce standard letter)
Additional ounce: 29 cents per extra ounce
Non-machinable surcharge: 49 cents extra for square envelopes, rigid items, or unusual shapes
When you need extra postage:
- Letters over 1 ounce
- Large envelopes (over 6.125 inches high or 11.5 inches long)
- Square or rigid envelopes
- Lumpy or uneven envelopes
Where to buy stamps:
- USPS.com (free shipping)
- Post office locations
- Grocery stores and pharmacies
- Amazon and other online retailers
- Some banks and ATMs
Where to Drop It Off
USPS blue collection boxes: Located throughout neighborhoods and business districts. Check the last collection time posted on the box — typically late afternoon or early evening on weekdays, earlier on Saturdays.
Post office: Drop at the counter or in the designated slot. Best option for time-sensitive mail or if you need a receipt.
Your mail carrier: Hand it directly to your carrier if you see them on their route.
Your own mailbox: Place outgoing mail in your mailbox and raise the red flag to alert your carrier.
How Long Does Mail Take?
First-Class Mail: 1–5 business days for domestic delivery
Priority Mail: 1–3 business days with tracking included (starting at $10.20)
Priority Mail Express: Next-day or 2-day delivery with money-back guarantee (starting at $33.25)
Track incoming mail: Sign up for USPS Informed Delivery to see images of your mail before it arrives.
For more on the art of letter writing, see our complete guide to how to write a letter. Curious whether physical mail is worth the effort? See the data on handwritten mail response rates and ROI. And if you’re curious why handwritten mail still resonates, see our guide to why handwritten letters still matter.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to mail a letter in 2026?
As of February 2026, a Forever stamp costs 78 cents and covers a standard letter up to 1 ounce mailed anywhere in the United States. Each additional ounce costs 29 cents. Square envelopes, rigid items, or unusual shapes incur a non-machinable surcharge of 49 cents. Always verify current rates at USPS.com as prices may change.
Do you need a stamp to mail a letter?
Yes, for personal mail you need a stamp or other valid postage. Businesses can use metered postage as an alternative. Letters without postage are returned to the sender if a return address is included. Without a return address, undeliverable mail goes to the USPS dead letter office.
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