Christmas card postage in 2026
A standard rectangular card in an envelope needs $0.82 in postage within the U.S. A square envelope costs $1.31, because it pays a $0.49 surcharge on top. A card going abroad needs $1.75, and $2.24 if it is square. Below are the prices from the USPS pages, which card falls into which group, and what 25, 50 and 100 cards cost.
The prices (USPS, read October 17, 2026)
All figures come from official USPS pages: the Notice 123 price list (its header reads "Effective October 04, 2026"), the USPS prices page and the Domestic Mail Manual, section 101. I did not find a page that says what changed in the last revision, so I cannot tell you which of these prices rose most recently. USPS changes prices from time to time, so check Notice 123 if you read this much later.
| Card | Postage | How it adds up |
|---|---|---|
| U.S., standard envelope, up to 1 oz | $0.82 | 1 oz stamped letter |
| U.S., up to 2 oz | $1.11 | $0.82 + $0.29 for the second ounce |
| U.S., up to 3 oz | $1.40 | another $0.29 |
| U.S., square or other nonmachinable, up to 1 oz | $1.31 | $0.82 + $0.49 surcharge |
| U.S., square, up to 2 oz | $1.60 | $1.11 + $0.49 |
| International, standard envelope, up to 1 oz | $1.75 | Global Forever, all countries |
| International, square, up to 1 oz | $2.24 | $1.75 + $0.49 surcharge |
The $0.82, $1.11, $1.40 and $0.49 figures are from Notice 123. The $1.75 international price is on both Notice 123 and the prices page, which also lists square envelopes "from $1.31". The $1.60 and $2.24 rows are my addition of the listed prices. Canada and Mexico pay more once a card passes 1 oz (Notice 123 lists $2.35 and $2.60 for up to 2 oz, and $3.50 for other countries), so weigh heavy cards that go there.
Which of your cards pays what
The surcharge decides most of it. The Domestic Mail Manual (section 101, 1.2) calls a letter nonmachinable for several reasons. These matter for cards:
- Shape. Length divided by height under 1.3 or over 2.5. A square envelope has a ratio of 1.0. A common 5 1/4 by 7 1/4 inch envelope for a 5 x 7 card works out to 1.38 and passes. Measure your own envelope, since a chunkier one can drop under 1.3.
- Lumps. A piece with items that make the thickness uneven, such as pens, keys or coins. A bow, a button or a gift card slid in unevenly can do this.
- Too stiff. A letter that does not bend easily on a belt, which is a risk for thick board or wood cards.
- Too thin. Under 0.009 inch thick, for a piece over 6 inches long or 4 1/4 inches high.
Section 101, 1.1 gives the letter size limits: 5 to 11 1/2 inches long, 3 1/2 to 6 1/8 inches high, and up to 1/4 inch thick. A large square envelope (a 6 1/2 inch one, say) is taller than 6 1/8 inches. It then counts as a large envelope and pays a higher price, which I did not look up for this page. Ask at the counter before you buy 50 of those stamps.
Weight is the other lever. A plain card in an envelope is usually under 1 oz, but a thick photo card, glitter or a few inserts can tip it over. That is my guess, not a USPS figure, so weigh one finished card on a kitchen scale.
What 25, 50 and 100 cards cost
Postage only, if every card in the batch is the same type.
| Card type | Each | 25 cards | 50 cards | 100 cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. standard | $0.82 | $20.50 | $41.00 | $82.00 |
| U.S. heavy, 2 oz | $1.11 | $27.75 | $55.50 | $111.00 |
| U.S. square | $1.31 | $32.75 | $65.50 | $131.00 |
| U.S. square and heavy, 2 oz | $1.60 | $40.00 | $80.00 | $160.00 |
| International standard | $1.75 | $43.75 | $87.50 | $175.00 |
| International square | $2.24 | $56.00 | $112.00 | $224.00 |
The surcharge adds about 60% to a U.S. stamp ($0.49 on $0.82). On 100 cards, choosing a square design over a rectangular one costs $49 more in postage, before the card itself.
A mixed list, worked out
A real list is rarely one type. Take 50 households: 40 in the U.S. with standard cards, 6 in the U.S. who get a square card, and 4 abroad with standard cards. That is 40 × $0.82 = $32.80, plus 6 × $1.31 = $7.86, plus 4 × $1.75 = $7.00. The total is $47.66, which is about $0.95 a card. If you sort the list into those three groups before you shop, you buy the right stamps once.
Not sure about your household count? How many cards to order shows how to count it. Cards abroad also have to leave earlier, see when to mail Christmas cards in 2026.
Keep the postage group on your list
The card list on this site holds each household's address, and people type in their own. Count the rows with a country other than yours for the international group, and mark any square-card recipients in your own notes. Free, no account.
More: tracking sent and received cards and printing the labels.