How Much Does It Cost to Mail a Postcard? 2026 Postage Rates

Current USPS Postcard Postage Rates (2026)

The standard cost to mail a single postcard via USPS First-Class Mail is $0.56 as of January 2026. This is the rate you'll pay at the post office or with a single stamp. But if you're mailing postcards for business - whether it's marketing campaigns, fundraising appeals, or event invitations - bulk postcard postage rates can save you 23% to 57% per piece.

Postcard Postage Rate Comparison

Here's how every USPS mail class compares for postcard mailing in 2026:

All rates reflect 2026 USPS pricing. Presort rates require mail house processing (like MPA). Get exact pricing for your campaign.

First-Class Postcard Postage

First-Class Mail is the simplest way to send postcards. At $0.56 per piece, it's ideal for personal correspondence, thank-you cards, or small batches where speed matters.

Size Requirements for First-Class Postcard Rate

To qualify for the $0.56 postcard rate (rather than the $0.73 letter rate), your piece must meet these USPS requirements:

• Minimum: 3.5" x 5" x 0.007" thick
• Maximum: 4.25" x 6" x 0.016" thick
• Must be rectangular (aspect ratio between 1.3 and 2.5)

Postcards larger than 4.25" x 6" still mail fine - they just get charged at the letter rate ($0.73) instead. For a detailed breakdown of all postcard size requirements, see our complete size guide.

When to Use First-Class

• Sending fewer than 200 postcards (below bulk mail minimums)
• Need delivery in 1-5 business days
• Personal or one-off mailings
• Presorted First-Class at $0.68/piece for 500+ pieces with faster delivery than Marketing Mail

Bulk Postcard Mailing Rates

If you're mailing 200+ postcards, Marketing Mail (formerly Standard Mail) drops your postage to just $0.43 per piece - a 23% savings over single-piece First-Class. This is the most popular choice for business postcard campaigns.

How Presort Discounts Work

Presort discounts reward mailers who do some of the postal service's sorting work. A mail house like MPA sorts your mail by ZIP code, applies barcodes, and delivers it bundled to USPS - saving them labor, which they pass on as lower rates.

Minimum Quantities

• Marketing Mail: 200 pieces minimum
• Presorted First-Class: 500 pieces minimum

How to Qualify

You don't need your own postal permit. Work with a bulk mailing services provider like MPA and we handle all the presorting, paperwork, and USPS entry. One invoice, no hidden fees.

EDDM Postcard Rates

EDDM (Every Door Direct Mail) is the cheapest way to mail postcards at just $0.26 per piece. That's 54% less than Marketing Mail and 54% less than First-Class.

Why EDDM Is the Cheapest Option

EDDM eliminates the cost of a mailing list entirely. Instead of buying addresses, you select postal routes and USPS delivers to every address on those routes. No names, no addresses, no list - just blanket coverage of the neighborhoods you choose.

EDDM Size Requirements

EDDM postcards must be larger than standard mail. Your piece must exceed at least one of these dimensions:

• Height greater than 6.125 inches, OR
• Length greater than 11.5 inches

The most popular EDDM size is 6.25" x 9" - it meets the minimum while keeping printing costs low. Use our EDDM route planning tool to select routes and see delivery counts.

EDDM Minimums

You must mail at least 200 pieces per carrier route, up to the total number of deliveries on that route. Most routes have 300-700 addresses.

Nonprofit Postcard Rates

Qualifying 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations get the lowest postcard rates available: just $0.24 per piece through Nonprofit Marketing Mail.

How to Qualify

• Must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization
• Apply for a nonprofit mailing authorization from USPS (Form 3624)
• Content must further the organization's stated mission

MPA works with dozens of nonprofits across Florida and can help you apply for authorization if you don't already have it. Learn more about our nonprofit direct mail services.

How to Save Money on Postcard Mailing

Here are the most effective ways to reduce your postcard mailing costs:

1. Use EDDM for local campaigns - $0.26/piece saves 54% versus Marketing Mail. Perfect for restaurants, retail, real estate, and home services targeting nearby neighborhoods.
2. Use Marketing Mail for targeted lists - $0.43/piece saves 23% versus First-Class. Best when you have a specific customer list or demographic criteria.
3. Qualify for nonprofit rates - $0.24/piece is available for 501(c)(3) organizations. The lowest postcard postage rate available.
4. Mail in larger quantities - Per-piece printing costs drop significantly at 1,000+, 2,500+, and 5,000+ quantities.
5. Work with a mail house - A full-service provider like MPA handles printing, presorting, and mailing in one step, eliminating middleman markups.

Frequently Asked Questions