You are about to send your first letter, but you aren’t sure the number of stamps on it equates to its weight. Perhaps you fear having your letter returned as many people often face or having it delayed because of its number of stamps; you should keep reading. This article will help you determine the number of stamps you need per ounce. Let’s begin!.
How Many Stamps Do I Need Per Oz in 2022?
For a letter weighing 1 oz, the USPS requires one Forever Stamp. But perhaps your letter weighs more than 1 oz, say 1.1 oz or 2 oz, you have to get an extra $0.20 stamp. Hence, a letter weighing more than 1 oz and less than 2 oz has a forever stamp and a $0.20 stamp. However, if your letter’s weight reaches 3 oz, you have to get a different “fractional postage” stamp ($0.40 stamp) alongside a Forever Stamp. Above 3.5 ounces, USPS view the mails as flats/ large envelopes; hence, another pricing system works for them.
How Many Stamps Does a 1-ounce Letter Need?
Typically, mailing a one-ounce letter requires one forever stamp, priced at $0.58. A forever stamp is non-denominational. Hence, it covers the postage of a one-ounce letter no matter the postage rate changes. While your letter’s weight is critical in postage, other factors also affect postage. To know the number of stamps for postage, you have to consider certain factors apart from the weight of the letter. These factors are:
- The dimensions and size of the envelope you are sending
- The nature of the envelope
USPS has guidelines for the size and nature of a standard letter. You are charged an extra $0.30 when your letter doesn’t follow the USPS guidelines because it is sorted manually rather than via a machine. If your letter defies all of the above guidelines and has to be sorted manually, you pay for a non-machinable stamp instead of a forever stamp. A non-machinable stamp costs $0.88 (the price of a forever stamp plus the $0.30 charge.) However, you can pay the charge by combining a domestic Forever stamp, an additional ounce stamp, and a $0.10 stamp.
How Much Postage Do I Need for a Letter That Weighs Between 1–2 oz?
The pricing is straightforward for a letter weighing an ounce. However, above 1 oz, the pricing becomes less direct. Whether your letter weighs 1.1 ounces or 2 ounces, you will have to pay for an extra ounce. Hence, you pay the same amount to send a 1.1 ounce letter as you would a 2-ounce letter. The USPS charges 20 cents/$0.20 for an extra ounce you add to 1 oz. As a result, a letter weighing 1.3 or 1.7 ounces is worth $0.78 in postage. You can pay for postage using any of these combinations:
- A forever stamp & one 10¢ stamp and two 5¢ stamps
- A forever stamp & two 10¢ stamps
- A forever stamp & an additional ounce stamp
How Much Postage Do I Need for a Letter That Weighs Between 2.1–3 oz?
If your letter enters the 2.1–3 oz range, you will have to pay for the extra ounce. 2.1-3 oz in postage costs $0.98—One forever stamp and two extra ounce stamps. You can use several combinations, as shown above, to pay your postage as long as it sums up to $0.98.
How Much Postage Do I Need for a Letter That Weighs More Than 3.5 oz?
First Mail letters are letters below 3.5 ounces and comply with the USPS letter guidelines. As a result, if your letter weighs more than 3.5 ounces, it doesn’t qualify for first mail rates. Rather, you have to check the pricing for flats and large envelopes. For instance, a letter of four ounces costs $1.76 in postage. The stamps required can be put in different combinations.
How to Weigh Your Letter to Find Out its Postage?
Most people assume the weight of their letter and put stamps accordingly. The act is not right. You have to know your letter’s exact weight instead of concluding that anything that fits in a standard letter weighs one ounce. Although some assumptions might be right, if you put more paper or other things (say jewellery) in your mail, you should put it through a scale. This helps you probably evaluate the probate cost before sending your mail.
You can weigh your letter using your kitchen scale (specifically the one used for baking.) You have to set the scale to measure in ounces and put your filled letter on it. A single forever stamp will do fine if it is less than an ounce. If it is more than an ounce, follow the instructions above.
The Best Way to Find Out the Number of Stamps Your Letter Needs
In the end, the best and most reliable way to know how many stamps your letter need is to go to a post office. When you get there, hand the letter to them and inform them how you want it sent. The post office officials will weigh it and sell you the exact amount of stamps you need. Plus, they even show you how to properly apply postage, so your letter is ensured safe delivery to its destination and gets there just in time. There is no better way than this!. However, if you can’t access a post office based on any reason, follow the steps above to calculate the weight of your letter and assign it the right postage.
Conclusion
A single forever stamp is enough for a letter weighing below one ounce to ensure your letter doesn’t get delayed or returned. However, if your letter weighs more, you know how to use the additional ounce stamps. Nevertheless, visiting a post office to ensure you have the right postage is the safest bet. That way you are sure of your letter’s safe delivery.
