How Much Does a Book of Stamps Cost? Current Prices and Buying Tips
A book of stamps costs the price of the stamps it contains. A standard USPS book has 20 Forever stamps, so at the current price of 78 cents per stamp, it costs $15.60 before any applicable sales tax or delivery charge. Prices can change when the Postal Service adjusts postage rates, and retailers may offer different purchasing options. Here’s how to calculate the cost, what a Forever stamp covers, and when a book may not be enough postage.
How Much Does a Book of Stamps Cost?
At the current USPS price of 78 cents for a First-Class Mail Forever stamp, a standard book of 20 stamps costs $15.60. The calculation is straightforward: 20 stamps multiplied by $0.78 equals $15.60.
That is the face value of the stamps. A purchase from USPS or an authorized retailer may have additional delivery charges if the order is shipped. Retailers can also sell stamps in different quantities, such as sheets or rolls, so the package price may differ even when each stamp has the same postage value.
Stamp prices are subject to change. The U.S. Postal Service sets postage rates, and a book’s cost changes when the price of a Forever stamp changes. Before buying, check the current rate on the USPS website or at a Post Office.
How Many Stamps Are in a Book?
A typical USPS stamp book contains 20 stamps. The stamps are usually printed in a booklet with a fold-over cover, making them easy to store and use individually. Some sellers offer stamps in different package sizes, so shoppers should check the quantity listed rather than assume every package is a 20-stamp book.
Stamp sheets and rolls are other common formats. A sheet or roll may contain more stamps than a book, but the price is based on the number and type of stamps included. For example, 100 Forever stamps at 78 cents each have a face value of $78.
What Does a Forever Stamp Cover?
A Forever stamp pays the current First-Class Mail postage for a standard letter weighing up to 1 ounce and meeting USPS size and shape requirements. Once purchased, it remains valid for that purpose even if the price of a stamp rises. The word “Forever” refers to its postage value for an eligible letter, not to unlimited postage for every mailing.
If the price goes up after a stamp is purchased, there is generally no need to add extra postage to a qualifying 1-ounce letter. A Forever stamp bought at an earlier, lower price still covers the current base postage for that letter.
However, a Forever stamp does not automatically cover heavier letters, oversized envelopes, packages, or every international mailing. Those items may require additional postage, and the required amount depends on factors such as weight, dimensions, destination, and mail class.
Quick Cost Reference
The table below uses a 78-cent Forever stamp price. It shows stamp face value before any shipping charge or other fees.
| Number of Forever Stamps | Estimated Face Value | Common Format |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $0.78 | Single stamp |
| 10 | $7.80 | Small quantity |
| 20 | $15.60 | Standard book |
| 40 | $31.20 | Two standard books |
| 100 | $78.00 | Sheet or roll, depending on availability |
These totals are calculated by multiplying the number of stamps by $0.78. If USPS changes the rate, the value of a new book changes accordingly. The stamps already in a customer’s possession do not lose their Forever value for eligible letters.
Why the Price of a Stamp Book Changes
The cost of a book is tied to USPS postage rates. The Postal Service periodically reviews and adjusts prices for mailing services, including First-Class Mail. Changes may reflect operating costs, inflation, transportation expenses, and other financial considerations.
USPS rate adjustments are not necessarily annual or identical in size. A price change can affect the cost of new stamps, but it does not require customers to replace unused Forever stamps. For current rates and effective dates, the USPS postage price page is the most reliable source.
Because online articles and retailer listings can remain visible after a rate change, shoppers should check the date and price at checkout. A page showing an older stamp price may not reflect the amount currently charged for a new book.
Where to Buy a Book of Stamps
Books of stamps are available from several sources. Availability, package size, and delivery options can vary.
- USPS Post Offices: A direct option for buying stamps and asking about current postage requirements.
- USPS.com: Offers postage products for online purchase; shipping and handling may apply to mailed orders.
- Authorized retailers: Many grocery stores, pharmacies, and office-supply stores sell stamps, often at the standard face value.
- Online marketplaces: These may offer stamps, but buyers should check the seller’s reputation and compare the total price with face value.
Be cautious of offers that advertise stamps at a steep discount. USPS warns consumers about counterfeit postage, and stamps from unofficial sellers may be invalid. A price far below the expected face value can be a warning sign.
Does a Book of Stamps Cost More at a Store?
At many authorized retailers, the stamps themselves are sold at face value, so a 20-stamp book costs the same as 20 stamps purchased from USPS. The total can still vary if the purchase includes shipping, service charges, or a different package quantity.
Retailers may also sell stamps as part of an online order with a minimum purchase or delivery fee. Comparing the total checkout price—not just the listed stamp price—helps determine whether an option is convenient and fairly priced.
When One Forever Stamp Is Not Enough
One Forever stamp covers the base postage for a qualifying letter of up to 1 ounce. Additional postage may be needed in several situations:
- The letter weighs more than 1 ounce: Additional-ounce postage applies to eligible letters, at the current rate.
- The envelope is oversized or unusually shaped: Large envelopes, rigid mail, and nonmachinable items may have different postage requirements.
- The mailing is a package: Package prices are generally based on weight, dimensions, destination, and service.
- The destination is outside the United States: International postage rates differ from domestic letter rates.
For an item that does not fit the standard-letter rules, it is safer to weigh and measure the mailpiece and use the USPS postage calculator or ask a postal clerk. Applying too little postage can delay delivery or result in postage due.
How to Calculate the Cost of Multiple Books
To estimate the cost, multiply the number of books by the price of one book. At $15.60 per 20-stamp book, two books cost $31.20 and five cost $78. The formula is:
Number of books × 20 stamps × current stamp price = total face value
For example, three books contain 60 stamps. At 78 cents each, their face value is 60 × $0.78, or $46.80. Any shipping charge or retailer fee would be added separately.
Is Buying a Book of Stamps a Good Value?
A book usually does not make each stamp cheaper; it is simply a convenient way to buy and store multiple stamps. Buying a book can help households that mail bills, invitations, greeting cards, or other letters regularly. It can also reduce the need to make frequent trips to purchase individual stamps.
For occasional mailers, a single stamp or smaller quantity may be more practical if available. For frequent mailers, larger quantities can save time, but customers should purchase only what they expect to use. Forever stamps do not expire for eligible postage, though they should be stored in a cool, dry place so they remain in good condition.
Common Questions About Stamp Book Prices
How much is a book of 20 stamps?
At 78 cents per Forever stamp, a standard 20-stamp book has a face value of $15.60. Check USPS for the current price because postage rates can change.
Do Forever stamps expire?
Forever stamps do not expire for the eligible First-Class Mail letter postage they represent. If the stamp price rises, a previously purchased Forever stamp still covers the current base postage for a qualifying letter of up to 1 ounce.
Can a book of stamps be used for packages?
Stamps can be used as postage in some circumstances, but a standard Forever stamp may not cover the cost of a package. Package rates depend on details such as weight, size, destination, and service. USPS can calculate the postage required.
Are stamps taxed?
Tax treatment can depend on the location and the type of purchase. The listed book price is its postage face value; any applicable tax, shipping, or fees are separate and should appear at checkout.
Key Takeaway
A standard book of 20 USPS Forever stamps costs $15.60 at 78 cents per stamp. The total is the stamp price multiplied by the number of stamps, while shipping or other charges may add to an online order. Forever stamps remain valid for the base postage on qualifying 1-ounce letters, but heavier, oversized, package, and international mail may require additional postage. Check USPS rates before buying to confirm the current price.