​Did you know that in recent years the Postal Service has changed the way First Class Mail is priced?  First Class Mail consists of postcards, business-sized envelopes up to 3.5 ounces, large envelopes and small packages up to 13 ounces.

In the past, the price per ounce of mail was different for postcards, but the same for the other three categories.  The recently changed pricing structure reflects the different costs to the Postal Service for processing each category.  For example, a postcard costs 35¢ to mail, a one-ounce business-sized envelope costs 50¢ if metered and 55¢ if stamped, but a one-ounce large envelope costs $1.00, and a one-ounce small package costs up to $4.06.

So how do you save money on postage?  Sending information on a postcard instead of in an envelope will save 15¢ per postcard.  Sending up to five-folded sheets of paper in a business-sized envelope instead of a large envelope will save 50¢ per envelope.

If you are unsure about the amount of postage needed, it's recommended that you have the item weighed on a postage scale.  Using insufficient postage could cause the item to be delivered postage due, or for the item to be returned to you by the Postal Service if the recipient declines to pay the postage.

Visit USPS for Postal Service pricing for Domestic Retail First Class postage as well as other postage prices. 

More information on definitions of mailing categories and other subjects regarding mail can be found in our online Mail Services Guide.