How to Send a Postcard
1. Write your message
On the left side (or the blank side if there is no divider), write a short message to the recipient. Keep it brief—postcards don’t have much space.
2. Address the postcard
On the right side:
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Top line: Recipient’s full name
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Next lines: Street address or P.O. Box
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Bottom line: City, State/Province, ZIP/Postal code, Country (if international)
Make sure the address is neat and easy to read.
3. Add a postage stamp
Place the stamp in the top-right corner of the postcard.
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Domestic postcards usually need a postcard stamp.
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International postcards need international postage.
Check your local postal service for rates if unsure.
4. Drop it in the mail
You can:
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Put it in any public mailbox
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Drop it off at a post office counter
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Hand it to a mail carrier (in some places)
What Stamp Do I Use?
A. I am sending my postcard within the US.
To send a postcard within the United States, you need a USPS postcard stamp, which covers the current domestic postcard rate of 61 cents (as of December 2025). You can use either:
A dedicated “Postcard” stamp — these are sold specifically for postcards and have the correct value already printed.
Or you can use regular postage stamps totaling up to at least 61¢ — for example, two stamps whose combined value adds up to 61 cents.
B. I am sending my postcard outside of the US.
If you’re mailing a standard-size postcard from the U.S. to another country, you need a stamp that covers the international postcard rate. The rate for an international postcard or 1-oz international letter is US $1.70 (as of December)
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Use a single “global” or international-rate stamp (sometimes called a “Global Forever” or International Forever stamp) that’s worth $1.70.
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Or use multiple regular U.S. stamps — as long as their total face value adds up to at least $1.70.
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