Want even more savings? Buy wholesale!
How to Buy Stamps: A Step-by-Step Guide (2026)
To buy stamps, work out how many you need, decide between Forever and denominated stamps, pick a design, then buy them from a Post Office, a retail store, or an online dealer. Buying from an online dealer is the cheapest route: 15¢ per Forever stamp instead of the $0.82 face value you pay at the counter.
Step 1: Work Out How Many You Need
Count the pieces of mail, not the stamps. A standard one-ounce letter needs one Forever stamp. Anything heavier, square, rigid or oversized costs more. We put together a full chart by mail type here: how many Forever stamps do I need?
If you are mailing invitations, start with wedding invitation postage. For December, Christmas card postage covers the awkward sizes.
Step 2: Choose Forever or Denominated
Forever stamps have no printed value and never expire. They always cover one ounce of first-class mail, no matter how many times rates go up. This is what you want in almost every case.
Denominated stamps carry a fixed amount, such as 10¢. They are useful as “make-up” postage when you combine them with a Forever stamp on a heavier letter.
Because Forever stamps rise in value with every rate increase, buying them at a discount today is effectively locking in a lower price on future postage. Here is the math: Forever stamps vs. rising USPS rates.
Step 3: Pick a Design
- American Flag stamps – safe for business mail and everyday letters
- Wedding stamps – invitations, save-the-dates, thank-yous
- Holiday stamps – Christmas, Hanukkah, Lunar New Year
- Floral stamps – tulips, orchids, botanicals
- Animal stamps – wildlife, birds, pets
- Commemorative stamps – limited issues and collectors
Design never changes the postage value. A 2017 flag stamp and a 2026 flag stamp both mail one letter.
Step 4: Decide Where to Buy
| Option | Price per stamp | Best for |
| Post Office counter | 82¢ | Need them today |
| Grocery or pharmacy | 82¢ | One booklet, right now |
| USPS.com | 82¢ + shipping | Official designs |
| Online stamp dealer | 15¢ – 25¢ | Saving money on volume |
We compared all seven options with real prices here: where to buy stamps.
Step 5: Check That They Are Genuine
Discounted does not mean fake, but cheap stamps from anonymous marketplace sellers sometimes are. Buy from a dealer that lists the year, design and format, and look at the perforation quality when your order arrives. Full guide: how to verify genuine USPS stamps.
Step 6: Store Them Properly
Keep stamps flat and dry, away from heat and direct sun. Humidity is what curls them; a drawer or a folder is fine. Stored that way, they last for decades.
How Much Does It Cost to Mail a Letter in 2026?
One Forever stamp covers a standard one-ounce letter, and its face value is $0.82. At the counter, mailing 500 letters costs $410. Bought as surplus postage, the same 500 stamps cost about $125. See the full breakdown by quantity: how much you can save on Forever stamps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy stamps with a credit card?
Yes. Online dealers accept debit and credit cards as well as PayPal. The Post Office also accepts cards at the counter.
How many stamps do I need for a wedding invitation?
Most invitations need more than one Forever stamp because of weight and size. Check the specific counts in our wedding invitation postage guide.
Do stamps expire?
Forever stamps do not. Denominated stamps keep their printed value and stay usable as make-up postage.
Is it legal to buy stamps below face value?
Yes. Reselling surplus postage is legal in the United States. The original buyer already paid full price; selling unused inventory below face value is a secondhand sale.
Related: how many Forever stamps you need · where to buy stamps · Global Forever stamps