How Much Is a Book of Stamps in 2026?
How much is a book of stamps in 2026? A standard book of 20 Forever stamps costs $15.60. This guide covers current stamp prices, where to buy, and what to know before the next rate increase.
A standard book of stamps from USPS costs $15.60 in 2026. That gets you 20 Forever stamps at 78 cents each, valid for mailing any standard one-ounce first-class letter anywhere in the United States. If you just needed that number, there it is. If you want to know how much is a forever stamp individually, what a book of stamps actually contains, and where to buy them at face value, keep reading.
How Much Is a Stamp Right Now?
As of 2026, each Forever stamp costs 78 cents. The last price increase took effect in July 2025, when USPS raised the rate from 73 cents to 78 cents per stamp. USPS announced in September 2025 that stamp prices would not increase in January 2026, but a mid-2026 increase is planned.
If you are stocking up before that next increase, now is a reasonable time to do it. Forever stamps lock in the current rate permanently, so stamps bought at 78 cents today will still be valid for a one-ounce letter even if the price goes up later.
How Many Stamps Are in a Book?
A standard book of stamps contains 20 stamps. This is the most common format sold at post offices, USPS.com, and retail stores. USPS also sells stamps in coils of 100 and sheets of varying quantities, but the per-stamp price remains identical across all formats. There are no volume discounts on postage.
So a roll of 100 stamps costs $78.00, which is exactly five books of 20 at $15.60 each. The format you choose depends on how often you mail, not on saving money per stamp.
How Much Is a Forever Stamp and Why Does It Matter?
A Forever stamp currently costs 78 cents and covers first-class postage on any one-ounce letter mailed within the US. The name “Forever” means exactly what it sounds like. Forever stamps never expire and are always valid for one ounce of first-class letter postage, regardless of future price increases.
This makes them a smart buy before any announced rate increase. If USPS raises the rate to 83 cents later in 2026, your 78-cent Forever stamps still cover full postage. You absorb no additional cost.
Where to Buy a Book of Stamps
You have several options, and the price should be the same at the official sources.
- USPS Post Office: Face value, $15.60 per book, no fees
- USPS.com: Same price as the post office, ships free to your door
- Walmart, Target, CVS, Walgreens, grocery stores: Generally the same price, though some retailers charge a small convenience fee
- Amazon: Available through third-party sellers, but prices vary and can run higher than face value
The safest bet for face-value pricing is USPS directly, either in person or online. Retail listings at non-USPS locations can show $22 to $25 or more depending on the design and the seller, so check the price before assuming it matches the post office rate.
Stamp Price History: How We Got to 78 Cents
Stamp prices have climbed steadily over the past decade. For context:
- 2019: 55 cents per stamp
- 2022: 60 cents per stamp
- 2023: 66 cents per stamp
- 2024: 68 cents per stamp
- July 2025: 78 cents per stamp (current rate)
The USPS operates under a 10-year restructuring strategy called the “Delivering for America” plan. Because the postal service does not rely on taxpayer dollars for daily operations, it must generate its own revenue. Declining letter volumes and rising fuel and labor costs have driven regular rate increases.
Tips for Buying Stamps
- Buy before a rate increase. If USPS announces a price hike, stocking up on Forever stamps beforehand saves money on every letter you send afterward.
- Buy from USPS directly. You pay face value and avoid any retail markup or third-party seller premium.
- Old stamps are still valid. If you have a drawer full of stamps from a few years ago, they still work. A Forever stamp bought at 55 cents covers full postage on a one-ounce letter today.
- Check the weight. A standard Forever stamp covers one ounce. Letters that weigh more need additional postage stamps. You can add “additional ounce” stamps (currently 24 cents each) rather than using two Forever stamps.
The Short Answer
A book of stamps costs $15.60 in 2026. It contains 20 Forever stamps at 78 cents each. One stamp covers a standard one-ounce first-class letter anywhere in the US. Forever stamps never expire, so buying before the next rate increase locks in the current price permanently. Buy from USPS directly to pay face value and avoid any retail markup.
