How many cents.....?

It depends on many things (i.e. postcard/letter/weight/location sending from/location sending to/etc... etc...).

"First-Class Mail Rates

First ounce $0.39
Each additional ounce $0.24

First-Class Mail Rates Weight not over (ounces) Rate
1*
$0.39

2
0.63

3
0.87

4
1.11

5
1.35

6
1.59

7
1.83

8
2.07

9
2.31

10
2.55

11
2.79

12
3.03

13
3.27

*Over 13 ounces (see Priority Mail).

Postcard and Stamped Card Rates:
Postcard (commercially sold) $0.24
Stamped card (sold by USPS) 0.26

Postcard Rate Dimensions:

Minimum: 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick.
Maximum: 4-1/4 inches high by 6 inches long by 0.016 inch thick.
Postcards over the maximum height or length for the card rate are charged the First-Class Mail letter rates; the nonmachinable surcharge may apply.

Nonmachinable Surcharge:
An additional $0.13 is required for items weighing 1 ounce or less with any of the following criteria:

A. Square letters.
B. The height exceeds 6-1/8 inches, or length exceeds 11-1/2 inches, or thickness
exceeds 1/4 inch.
C. The length divided by height is less than 1.3 or more than 2.5 (length is the dimension
parallel to the address).
D. It has clasps, strings, buttons, or similar closure devices.
E. It is too rigid or contains items such as pens that cause the thickness of the mailpiece
to be uneven.
F. It has an address parallel to the shorter dimension of the mailpiece.

Priority Mail®

Priority Mail® is used for documents, gifts, and merchandise. Any mailable item may be sent as Priority Mail. The maximum weight is 70 pounds. The maximum size is 108 inches or less in combined length and distance around the thickest part. Mark each package "Priority Mail" in the postage area or use a USPS-provided Priority Mail envelope or box.

Features

Priority Mail service offers 2-3 day service to most domestic destinations. Priority Mail envelopes and boxes are available at many Post Offices and can be ordered (online). With Click-N-Ship® you can print your own Priority Mail labels and postage.

Free Carrier Pickup™ is available when your carrier delivers your regular mail. You can schedule Pickup on Demand® service for $13.25 per stop for a specific date and timeframe.

Priority Mail Rates Weight
not over
(pounds)
Local
Zones
1, 2, and 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8

1
$4.05
$4.05
$4.05
$4.05
$4.05
$4.05

2
4.20
4.80
5.15
5.30
5.70
6.05

3
5.00
6.40
7.20
7.55
8.25
9.00

4
5.60
7.45
8.50
8.95
9.95
10.90

5
6.15
8.45
9.80
10.40
11.60
12.80

For weights over 5 pounds, see the Domestic Rate Calculator. For complete Priority Mail rates see Ratefold (Notice 123) (PDF) or Domestic Mail Manual Rates and Fees (HTML). The Zone Chart Program provides a 1-page zone chart for your origin ZIP Code.

Priority Mail "Balloon Rate"

Items that weighs less than 15 pounds but measures more than 84 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part must pay the 15-pound Priority Mail zoned rate.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope

$4.05, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.

Priority Mail Flat Rate Box

$8.10, regardless of weight (up to a 70 lb. maximum) or destination, for matter sent in a Priority Mail Flat Rate box provided by the Postal Service.

Express Mail®

This money-back guaranteed overnight to 2 day service includes tracking, proof of delivery, and insurance up to $100. Additional insurance up to $5,000 may be purchased for merchandise. Delivery to many destinations is available 365 days a year with no extra charge for Saturday, Sunday, and holiday delivery. Express Mail® envelopes and boxes are available at many Post Offices at no charge and may be ordered from www.usps.com. All packages must use an Express Mail label. The maximum weight is 70 pounds.

Features

Express Mail envelopes, labels, and boxes may be ordered online and are available at Post Offices. Features include delivery to Post Office boxes and rural addresses, and domestic rates for APO and FPO addresses.

Express Mail labels and postage may be printed from Click-N-Ship®. Free Carrier Pickup™ is available when your carrier delivers your regular mail. You can schedule Pickup-on-Demand® service for $13.25 per stop for a specific date and timeframe.

Express Mail delivery status is available on the usps.com Track and Confirm website or by calling 800-222-1811.

Express Mail Rates for Post Office to Addressee Service Weight
Rate

Up to 8 ounces $14.40
Over 8 ounces up to 2 pounds 18.80
Up to 3 pounds 22.20
Up to 4 pounds 25.50
Up to 5 pounds 28.75
Up to 6 pounds 32.05
Up to 7 pounds 35.25
Up to 8 pounds 36.65
Up to 9 pounds 38.15
Up to 10 pounds 39.50

For complete Express Mail rates, see Domestic Rate Calculator Ratefold (Notice 123) (PDF) or Domestic Mail Manual Rates and Fees (HTML).

Express Mail Flat Rate Envelope

$14.40, regardless of weight or destination, for matter sent in a Flat Rate envelope provided by the Postal Service.

Parcel Post®

Used for gifts and general merchandise, may also contain books and other printed matter. Maximum weight is 70 pounds. The maximum size is 130 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part.

Parcel Post "Balloon Rate"

Items that weigh less than 15 pounds but measure more than 84 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part must pay the 15-pound Parcel Post® zoned rate.

Parcel Post Nonmachinable Surcharge

A nonmachinable surcharge applies to certain items, including packages weighing less than 6 ounces or over 35 pounds (25 pounds for books and printed matter), and certain shapes (e.g., tubes, rolls, and small and large packages).

Mark each package "Parcel Post" in the postage area.

For rates, see the Domestic Rate Calculator.

For complete Parcel Post rate tables, see Ratefold (Notice 123) (PDF) or Domestic Mail Manual Rates and Fees (HTML). The Zone Chart Program provides a 1-page zone chart for your origin ZIP Code.

Bound Printed Matter

Description

The maximum weight for Bound Printed Matter is 15 pounds. Rates are based on weight, shape, and distance. The maximum size is 108 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part.

Bound Printed Matter is material that consists of advertising, promotional, directory, or editorial material that is securely bound (not loose-leaf binders), consists of sheets of which at least 90% are imprinted by a process other than handwriting or typewriting, contains no personal correspondence and is not stationery (such as pads of blank printed forms).

Bound Printed Matter Rates - Parcels

Weight
not over
(pounds)
Local
Zones 1 & 2
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8

1
$1.97
$2.02
$2.07
$2.15
$2.22
$2.32
$2.50

1.5
1.97
2.02
2.07
2.15
2.22
2.32
2.50

2
2.04
2.11
2.17
2.28
2.38
2.51
2.74

2.5
2.12
2.20
2.28
2.41
2.54
2.70
2.99

3
2.19
2.29
2.38
2.54
2.70
2.89
3.24

3.5
2.27
2.38
2.49
2.68
2.86
2.08
3.49

4
2.34
2.47
2.59
2.80
3.01
3.27
3.73

4.5
2.41
2.56
2.70
2.94
3.17
3.46
3.98

5
2.49
2.65
2.80
3.07
3.33
3.65
4.23

6
2.64
2.82
3.01
3.33
3.65
4.03
4.72

7
2.78
3.00
3.23
3.59
3.96
4.41
5.22

8
2.93
3.18
3.44
3.86
4.28
4.79
5.71

9
3.08
3.36
3.65
4.12
4.60
4.16
6.21

10
3.23
3.54
3.86
4.38
4.91
5.54
6.70

11
3.37
3.72
4.07
4.65
5.23
5.92
7.20

12
3.52
3.90
4.28
4.91
5.54
6.30
7.69

13
3.67
4.08
4.49
5.18
5.86
6.68
8.19

14
3.82
4.26
4.70
5.44
6.18
7.06
8.68

15
3.96
4.44
4.91
5.70
6.49
7.44
9.18

For Bound Printed Matter flats deduct $0.08. The Domestic Rate Calculator calculates rates for all Bound Printed Matter.

Media Mail® (Book Rate)

Description

Used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, loose-leaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, videotapes, and computer-recorded media such as CD-ROMs and diskettes. Media Mail cannot contain advertising.

The maximum size is 108 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest part.

Mark each package "Media Mail" in the postage area.

Media Mail Rates

Weight
not over
(pounds)
Rate
1
$1.59
2
2.07
3
2.55
4
3.03
5
3.51
6
3.99
7
4.47
8
4.81
9
5.15
10
5.49

For complete Media Mail rate tables, see Ratefold (Notice 123)(PDF) or Domestic Mail Manual Rates and Fees(HTML).

Extra Services

Certificate of Mailing

Provides evidence of mailing. Must be purchased at time of mailing. Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail. For an additional fee, a certificate of mailing may be combined with parcel airlift service (PAL) or special handling. Items with a certificate of mailing must be presented to a retail employee at a Post Office or to a rural carrier.

Fee in addition to postage—$0.95

Certified Mail

Provides proof of mailing at the time of mailing and date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS. Available with First-Class Mail and Priority Mail. For an additional fee, Certified Mail may be combined with restricted delivery or return receipt.

Fee in addition to postage—$2.40

Collect on Delivery (COD)

Allows mailers to collect the postage and the price of an item from the recipient. The goods must be ordered by the addressee. COD service can be used for merchandise sent by First-Class Mail, Express Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail. The amount to be collected from the recipient may not exceed $1,000. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS.

COD service may be combined with Delivery Confirmation™, Registered Mail™, restricted delivery, return receipt, Signature Confirmation™, or special handling for an additional fee. This service is not available for international mail or for mail addressed to APO and FPO addresses. COD mail must be presented to a retail employee at a Post Office or to a rural carrier.

Fees include insurance. Maximum amount is $1,000.

Collect on Delivery Fees

Amount to be collected or
insurance desired
Fee in addition
to postage
$0.01 to $ 50.00
$4.75

50.01 to 100.00
5.80

100.01 to 200.00
6.85

200.01 to 300.00
7.90

300.01 to 400.00
8.95

400.01 to 500.00
10.00

500.01 to 600.00
11.05

600.01 to 700.00
12.10

700.01 to 800.00
13.15

800.01 to 900.00
14.20

900.01 to 1,000.00
15.25

For Express Mail COD shipments, the COD fee is based on the amount to be collected. Express Mail automatically provides up to $100 merchandise insurance.

Restricted delivery—$3.70 (not available with Express Mail COD)

Notice of nondelivery—$3.15

Alteration of COD charges or designation of new addressee—$3.15

Registered COD—$4.20 (fee for registered COD, regardless of amount to be collected or insurance value)

Delivery ConfirmationTM

Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery. May be purchased at the time of mailing only. Mailers may retrieve Delivery Confirmation information at the usps.com Track and Confirm website or by calling 800-222-1811. Available for Priority Mail and parcels sent as First-Class Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, or Media Mail.

Not available for: APO/FPO destinations and U.S. territories, possessions, and freely-associated states in Domestic Mail Manual 608 (except for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, to which service is available).

For an additional fee, Delivery Confirmation may be combined with: COD, insured mail, Registered Mail, return receipt for merchandise (Form 3804), or special handling. Restricted delivery is available if purchased with insurance for over $50, COD, or Registered Mail. Return receipt is available if purchased with insurance for over $50, COD, or Registered Mail.

Fee in addition to postage:
Priority Mail—$0.50
First-Class Mail—$0.60
Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail—$0.60

Insured Mail — Purchased at a Post Office

Provides coverage against loss or damage up to $5,000 for Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail matter as well as merchandise mailed at Priority Mail or First-Class Mail rates. Items must not be insured for more than their value. Insured mail must be presented to a retail employee at a Post Office or to a rural carrier.

For an additional fee, insured mail may be combined with Delivery Confirmation, parcel airlift service (PAL), Signature Confirmation, or special handling. For items insured for more than $50, restricted delivery and return receipt service are also available. The amount of insurance coverage for loss is the actual value, less depreciation. No claim payments are made for sentimental losses or for any expenses incurred as a result of the loss.

Insurance — Purchased Online

Provides up to $500 indemnity coverage.

Available for domestic and Global Express Guaranteed® online labels printed with postage.
Has the same fees as insurance purchased at a Post Office and is based on the amount of coverage needed up to $500.
May not be combined with insurance purchased at a Post Office.

Amount of Insurance and Fees Amount of insurance desired
Fee in addition to postage

$0.01 to $50.00
$1.35

50.01 to 100.00
2.30

100.01 to 200.00
3.35

200.01 to 300.00
4.40

300.01 to 400.00
5.45

400.01 to 500.00
6.50

Money Order

Provides safe transmission of money.

Amount
Fees

$0.01 to $500.00 $0.95
$500.01 to $1,000.00 1.30

Return Receipt for Merchandise
Provides the sender with a mailing receipt and a return receipt. The return receipt supplies the recipient's actual address if different from the address used by the sender. A delivery record is maintained by the USPS.

Available for merchandise sent as Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail. May be combined with Delivery Confirmation, insurance (for up to $50), parcel airlift, or special handling.

Fee at time of mailing—$3.15

Registered Mail

Provides maximum protection and security for valuables. Provides sender with mailing receipt and a delivery record is maintained by the USPS. A record of mailing is maintained at the mailing post office.

Available for items paid at Priority Mail and First-Class Mail rates. May be combined with COD, Delivery Confirmation, restricted delivery, return receipt, or Signature Confirmation. Postal insurance is provided for articles with a declared value up to a maximum of $25,000. Only items with no declared value may use registry service without insurance. Handling charges apply for articles valued over $25,000.

Registered Mail must be presented to a retail employee at a Post Office or a rural route.

Registered Mail Fees Without Insurance

Declared value without postal insurance Fee in addition to postage
$0.00
$7.90

Registered Mail Fee With Insurance

Declared value with postal insurance Fee in addition to postage
$0.01 to $100.00
$8.45

100.01 to 500.00
9.35

500.01 to 1,000.00
10.25

1,000.01 to 2,000.00
11.15

2,000.01 to 3,000.00
12.05

3,000.01 to 4,000.00
12.95

4,000.01 to 5,000.00
13.85

5000.01 to 6,000.00
14.75

6,000.01 to 7,000.00
15.65

7,000.01 to 8,000.00
16.55

8,000.01 to 9,000.00
17.45

9,000.01 to 10,000.00
18.35

10,000.01 to 11,000.00
19.25

11,000.01 to 12,000.00
20.15

12,000.01 to 13,000.00
21.05

13,000.01 to 14,000.00
21.95

For higher values see the Domestic Rate Calculator or Domestic Mail Manual Rates and Fees.

Restricted Delivery

Permits a mailer to direct delivery only to the addressee or addressee’s authorized agent. The addressee must be an individual specified by name. May be combined with Delivery Confirmation, parcel airlift (PAL), return receipt, Signature Confirmation, or special handling. Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail that is sent Certified Mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, or Registered Mail.

Fee in addition to postage—$3.70

Return Receipt

A Return Receipt provides the sender a postcard or electronic notification, via fax or email, with the date of delivery and recipient's signature.

A Return Receipt may be requested at the time of mailing or after mailing. When requested at the time of mailing, it also provides the recipient's actual delivery address if different from the address used by the sender. Customers purchasing a Return Receipt at the time of mailing may choose to receive it by mail or electronically. An electronic Return Receipt is available at most Post Offices and are not available when a mailpiece is sent to APO or FPO addresses or U.S. territories, possessions, and freely associated states.

Return Receipts are available for Express Mail (by mail only), First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, or Media Mail when purchased with one of the following: Certified Mail, COD, mail insured for more than $50, and Registered Mail.

When purchased with one of the items above, Return Receipt may be combined with: Delivery Confirmation, parcel airlift (PAL), restricted delivery, Signature Confirmation, or special handling.

Fee in addition to postage:
Requested at time of mailing (Form 3811, by mail)—$1.85
Requested at time of mailing (receive electronically)—$1.35
Requested after mailing (Form 3811-A)—$3.45

Signature ConfirmationTM

Provides the date and time of delivery or attempted delivery and the name of the person who signed for the item. May be purchased at the time of mailing only. Mailers may retrieve Signature Confirmation information at the usps.com Track and Confirm website or by calling 800-222-1811. A delivery record, including the recipient’s signature, is maintained by the USPS and is available, via fax or mail, upon request. No acceptance record is kept at the office of mailing.

Available for: Priority Mail and parcels mailed at First-Class Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, or Media Mail rates.

Not available for: APO/FPO destinations and U.S. territories, possessions, and freely-associated states in Domestic Mail Manual 608 (except for Puerto Rico and U.S. Virgin Islands, to which service is available).

For an additional fee, Signature Confirmation may be combined with: COD, insured mail, Registered Mail, or special handling. Restricted delivery is available if purchased with insurance for over $50, COD, or Registered Mail.

Fee in addition to postage—$1.90

Special Handling

Provides preferential handling for items such as perishables, insects, or poultry. The service does not insure the article against loss or damage.

Available for First-Class Mail, Priority Mail, Parcel Post, Bound Printed Matter, and Media Mail.

For an additional fee, special handling may be combined with COD, Delivery Confirmation, insured mail, parcel airlift (PAL) (Package Services only), return receipt for merchandise, or Signature Confirmation.

Fee in addition to postage:
Pieces weighing not more than 10 pounds—$6.25
Pieces weighing more than 10 pounds—$8.70

Zone Charts

The Zone Charts identify the appropriate distance code assigned to each originating and destinating ZIP Code pairing for every ZIP Code in the nation. These distance codes, referred to as "zones," are designated as "Local" and "1 through 8." Zone charts create a matrix of originating and destinating ZIP Codes and identify the correct zone for the distance. Zone information is used to compute rates for Priority Mail, Parcel Post, and Bound Printed Matter.

The Zone Chart Program provides a 1- page zone chart for your origin ZIP Code.

Sizes for Domestic Mail

Postcard Rate Dimensions:
- Minimum: 3-1/2 inches high by 5 inches long by 0.007 inch thick.
- Maximum: 4-1/4 inches high by 6 inches long by 0.016 inch thick.

All mail must meet these standards:
- Thickness—Not less than 0.007 inch thick. Pieces that are 1/4 inch thick or less must be at least 3-1/2 inches high, 5 inches long, and rectangular in shape.
- Combined length and girth—Not more than 108 inches, except Parcel Post may not exceed 130 inches. Girth is the longest side plus the distance around its thickest part. For letters, length is the dimension parallel to the address as read. For parcels, length is the longest side.
- Weight—Not more than 70 pounds.

Keys and identification devices are exempted from these requirements.

Additional standards apply to bulk mail and mail addressed to APOs and FPOs.

Basic Bulk Mail Information

Business Mail 101 provides basic information for preparing bulk mail, including information about:

Is bulk mail right for your business?
The minimum volume required for a bulk mailing.
The difference between First-Class Mail and Standard Mail.
How to sort bulk mail.
How to obtain address lists.
How to apply for Nonprofit rates.
How size and weight affects rates.
How to pay for postage.
How to apply for a bulk mailing permit.
And much more.
Business Mail 101 contains a Decision Tree that will assist you in determining the type of bulk mail that is right for you. After answering several basic questions, the Decision Tree links you to Quick Service Guides. These Guides provide a 2-page summary of the standards for each type of bulk mail. A complete list of Quick Service Guides is available on Postal Explorer.

Business Mail 101 also contains a section called "Helping You Mail" that includes companies that are in business to help you mail. They include presort bureaus, lettershops, and software vendors."