Standard Letter (1 oz – 3.5 oz)
Postcard
Large Envelope / Flat (1 oz – 13 oz)
USPS Ground Advantage (Package under 15.99 oz)
Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope
Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box
Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box
Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box
Standard letters must be under 3.5 oz.
Zone 1 & 2 (Local / Close)
Zone 3
Zone 4
Zone 5 (Mid-Distance)
Zone 6
Zone 7
Zone 8 (Far)
Zone 9 (US Territories)
Zones determine price based on distance from origin.
Mail Class:First-Class Mail
Billable Weight:1 oz
Zone:1
Total Estimated Cost:$0.73
function toggleInputs() {
var type = document.getElementById('mailType').value;
var weightGroup = document.getElementById('weightContainer');
var zoneGroup = document.getElementById('zoneContainer');
var weightHelper = document.getElementById('weightHelper');
// Reset visibility
weightGroup.style.display = 'block';
zoneGroup.style.display = 'none';
if (type === 'postcard') {
weightGroup.style.display = 'none';
} else if (type === 'ground') {
zoneGroup.style.display = 'block';
weightHelper.innerHTML = "Max weight for retail Ground Advantage is 15.99 oz.";
} else if (type.startsWith('priority')) {
weightGroup.style.display = 'none';
zoneGroup.style.display = 'none'; // Flat rate is zone agnostic for retail usually, or simplified here
} else if (type === 'letter') {
weightHelper.innerHTML = "Letters over 3.5 oz become Large Envelopes.";
} else if (type === 'flat') {
weightHelper.innerHTML = "Max weight for Flats is 13 oz.";
}
}
function calculatePostage() {
var type = document.getElementById('mailType').value;
var weightInput = document.getElementById('weight').value;
var weight = parseFloat(weightInput);
var zone = parseInt(document.getElementById('zone').value);
var cost = 0;
var className = "";
var displayWeight = "";
var displayZone = "";
// Validate Weight if required
if (!type.startsWith('priority') && type !== 'postcard') {
if (isNaN(weight) || weight 3.5) {
alert("Standard letters cannot exceed 3.5 oz. Please switch to 'Large Envelope' or 'Ground Advantage'.");
return;
}
// Base $0.73 for first oz, $0.24 for each additional oz
cost = 0.73;
if (weight > 1) {
var additionalOz = Math.ceil(weight) – 1;
cost += (additionalOz * 0.24);
}
} else if (type === 'postcard') {
className = "First-Class Postcard";
displayWeight = "N/A";
displayZone = "N/A";
cost = 0.56;
} else if (type === 'flat') {
className = "First-Class Large Envelope (Flat)";
displayWeight = weight + " oz";
displayZone = "N/A";
if (weight > 13) {
alert("Large Envelopes cannot exceed 13 oz. Please switch to 'Ground Advantage'.");
return;
}
// Base $1.50 for first oz, $0.24 for each additional oz
cost = 1.50;
if (weight > 1) {
var additionalOz = Math.ceil(weight) – 1;
cost += (additionalOz * 0.24);
}
} else if (type === 'ground') {
className = "USPS Ground Advantage (Retail)";
displayWeight = weight + " oz";
displayZone = "Zone " + zone;
if (weight >= 16) {
alert("Retail Ground Advantage is limited to 15.99 oz in this calculator (1 lb+ rates differ).");
return;
}
// Simplified Retail Ground Advantage Matrix (Approx July 2024)
// Weight Steps: 4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 15.99oz
var wStep = 0;
if (weight <= 4) wStep = 0;
else if (weight <= 8) wStep = 1;
else if (weight <= 12) wStep = 2;
else wStep = 3;
// Price Matrix [4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 16oz] based on Zone
// Note: These are approximated retail rates for 2024
var rates = {
1: [5.40, 6.15, 6.95, 8.25], // Zone 1&2
3: [5.45, 6.20, 7.00, 8.35],
4: [5.55, 6.30, 7.15, 8.50],
5: [5.65, 6.45, 7.30, 8.70],
6: [5.80, 6.60, 7.55, 8.95],
7: [5.95, 6.80, 7.80, 9.25],
8: [6.15, 7.05, 8.15, 9.60],
9: [6.15, 7.05, 8.15, 9.60]
};
// Fallback if zone not found (shouldn't happen)
var zoneRates = rates[zone] || rates[8];
cost = zoneRates[wStep];
} else if (type === 'priority_flat') {
className = "Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope";
displayWeight = "N/A";
displayZone = "National";
cost = 9.85;
} else if (type === 'priority_small') {
className = "Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box";
displayWeight = "N/A";
displayZone = "National";
cost = 10.40;
} else if (type === 'priority_medium') {
className = "Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box";
displayWeight = "N/A";
displayZone = "National";
cost = 18.40;
} else if (type === 'priority_large') {
className = "Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box";
displayWeight = "N/A";
displayZone = "National";
cost = 24.75;
}
// Display Logic
document.getElementById('resClass').innerText = className;
document.getElementById('resWeight').innerText = displayWeight;
document.getElementById('resZone').innerText = displayZone;
document.getElementById('resCost').innerText = "$" + cost.toFixed(2);
// Hide/Show Rows based on type
document.getElementById('resWeightRow').style.display = (displayWeight === "N/A") ? "none" : "flex";
document.getElementById('resZoneRow').style.display = (displayZone === "N/A" || displayZone === "National") ? "none" : "flex";
document.getElementById('result').style.display = 'block';
}
Postage Rates in 2024: What You Need to Know
Navigating the United States Postal Service (USPS) rate changes can be complex. In 2024, the USPS implemented significant price adjustments, most notably in July 2024. This Postage Rates 2024 Calculator helps you determine exactly how much postage you need for letters, large envelopes (flats), and packages using the most current pricing data.
Major Price Changes (July 2024)
The cost of mailing a standard one-ounce First-Class Letter increased from $0.68 to $0.73. This "Forever Stamp" price hike reflects rising operational costs due to inflation. Other services saw similar adjustments:
Domestic Postcards: Increased from $0.53 to $0.56.
International Letters: Increased from $1.55 to $1.65.
Metered Mail (1 oz): Increased to $0.69.
Understanding Mail Classes
Choosing the right mail class is critical for saving money and ensuring delivery.
1. First-Class Mail (Letters & Flats)
Best for standard envelopes and lightweight large envelopes up to 13 oz. Pricing is determined by weight (rounded up to the nearest ounce).
Limit: Letters must be 3.5 oz or less. Flats must be 13 oz or less.
2. USPS Ground Advantage
Replaces the old "First-Class Package Service." This is the most economical way to ship packages under 15.99 oz via retail channels. Pricing is based on weight tiers (4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 15.99 oz) and the distance (Zone) the package travels.
3. Priority Mail Flat Rate
If your item is heavy (over 1 lb) or fits into specific USPS packaging, Flat Rate is often the best deal. "If it fits, it ships" for one low price to any state.
2024 Retail Rate Reference Table
Service Type
Starting Price (2024)
Additional Weight Cost
First-Class Letter (1 oz)
$0.73
$0.24 per extra oz
Large Envelope / Flat (1 oz)
$1.50
$0.24 per extra oz
Postcard
$0.56
N/A
Priority Mail Flat Rate Env.
$9.85
Flat Fee
How to Calculate Postage Accurately
Weigh your item: Use a kitchen scale or postage scale. Always round up to the next ounce (e.g., 1.1 oz counts as 2 oz).
Measure dimensions: Ensure your letter isn't too thick (over 1/4 inch) or it may be classified as a "Flat" or "Package," which costs significantly more.
Determine the Zone: For packages, the farther the destination, the higher the cost. Zones range from 1 (local) to 9 (freely associated states).
{
"@context": "https://schema.org",
"@type": "FAQPage",
"mainEntity": [{
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How much is a First-Class stamp in 2024?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "As of July 2024, the price of a First-Class Mail Forever stamp is $0.73."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "How much does it cost to mail a 2 oz letter?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "A 2 oz letter costs the base rate of $0.73 plus $0.24 for the additional ounce, totaling $0.97."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "What is the weight limit for a standard letter?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Standard letters generally cannot exceed 3.5 ounces. If a letter weighs more than 3.5 ounces, it is classified as a Large Envelope (Flat), starting at $1.50."
}
}, {
"@type": "Question",
"name": "Did postcard stamps increase in 2024?",
"acceptedAnswer": {
"@type": "Answer",
"text": "Yes, the price for a domestic postcard stamp increased from $0.53 to $0.56 in July 2024."
}
}]
}