Whether you’re mailing a few legal documents in a manila envelope or a dainty figure in a bubble envelope, one thing remains the same: You need to know how many stamps to put on your 3-ounce mail.
This may seem like an easy answer at first, but you should consider the size and shape of your item when estimating shipping costs.
so, in this article, we’re going to help you shed some light on how much you can expect to pay and how many stamps you’ll need, so read on!
how many stamps do i need for 3 oz packages in usps in 2022?
At current rates, a 3-ounce letter costs $0.98 and requires 1 forever stamp and 2 additional ounce stamps. larger envelopes weighing 3 ounces cost $1.56 to mail and require 1 forever stamp and 1 3-ounce stamp. shipping a small package that weighs 3 ounces costs $4.50 and requires 8 stamps forever.
if you still don’t know how many stamps to put on your 3 ounce mail, don’t worry, we have all the answers here!
how many stamps do i need for a 3 oz envelope?
If you are mailing a standard size* envelope that weighs between 2.1 and 3.0 ounces, you will need to provide $0.98 postage at current rates.
There are a couple of different ways to pay for this postage, so let’s look at them in more detail:
- one 3-ounce stamp (currently priced at $0.98)
- one national forever stamp, 2 additional ounce stamps (total = $0.98 )
*according to usps, standard size letters are those that are rectangular in shape and fall within these dimensions:
at least 3 ½ inches high x 5 inches long x 0.007 inches thick, but no more than 6 ⅛ inches high x 11 ½ inches long x ¼ inch thick.
How many forever stamps do I need for a 3 oz letter?
usps 3-ounce stamps are like standard permanent stamps, in that they will always cover postage on 3-ounce letters, regardless of any changes in postage rates in the future.
In other words, a 3-ounce stamp will always be enough to send a 3-ounce letter.
If you don’t have 3-ounce stamps, you’ll need one “standard” stamp forever, plus 2 additional ounce stamps to cover postage on a 3-ounce letter.
Alternatively, you can use 2 forever stamps to send a 3-ounce letter.
We do not recommend this option, because at current rates ($0.58), you would pay $1.16 to send a letter that only costs $0.98.
Put another way, you’d be paying $0.18 more than you need.
how much postage do i need for a 3oz flat?
USPS classifies and values large flat envelopes (also known as flat) differently than smaller envelopes.
here are the criteria the usps uses to define floors:
- a rectangular match no more than ¾ inch thick
- no larger than 15 inches x 12 inches x ¾ inch thick
- weighs less than 13 ounces
- must be flexible
- of uniform thickness (i.e. no bumps or bulges)
- have four square corners (or finished corners not to exceed a ⅛-inch radius in thickness)
For 3-ounce flats, the USPS currently charges $1.56.
You can pay this postage in different ways:
- 1 3-ounce stamp and 1 forever stamp (total = $1.56)
- 1 3-ounce stamp and 3 additional ounce stamps (total = $1.58, pay $0.02 too much)
- 3 forever stamps (total = $1.74, pay $0.18 too much)
how many stamps do i need for a 3 oz manila envelope?
The amount of postage you need for a manila envelope depends on its size and weight.
Standard size manila envelopes measure 9 x 12 inches. As a result, the USPS classifies and lists them as large envelopes/flats.
At current rates, 3-ounce manila envelopes ship for $1.56. we discussed different ways to pay this postage in the previous section.
That said, if you’re using a manila envelope for business or legal purposes, we don’t recommend using postage stamps unless you’re really in a pinch.
rather, take your envelope to the post office and have an associate print your postage (called metered postage).
Metered postage can not only help get your envelope delivered faster, it also ensures you don’t overpay or underpay for postage.
plus, it looks a lot more professional than sticking a hodgepodge of stamps on the envelope.
how many stamps do i need for a 3 oz bubble envelope?
usps bases shipping prices for bubble mailers on their size and weight.
If a bubble envelope is less than ¾ inch thick, then it is the same price as other envelopes or large flat envelopes. if it’s thicker than that, USPS classifies it as a package and it’s priced differently.
For 3-ounce bubble envelopes that meet the criteria to be considered flat, expect to pay $1.56 (see sections above).
For 3-ounce bubble envelopes that are thicker than ¾-inch, you’ll pay the First Class package rate, currently priced at $4.50.
Here are some ways to pay for your bubble mail package with stamps:
- one $5 definitive stamp (total = $5.00, you pay $0.50 in excess)
- two $2 definitive stamps and 1 forever stamp ( total = $4.58, pay $0.08 too much)
- 8 forever stamps (total= $4.64, pay $0.14 too much)
While it is possible to pay for a bubble mailer using stamps, it is not recommended. That’s because there’s a good chance you’ll underpay or overpay.
therefore, your best option is to take your bubble envelope to a usps employee and ask them to print the measured postage for you.
For more information, you can also read our posts on how many stamps per pound, how many stamps per ounce and types of usps stamps.
conclusion
The amount of postage you owe depends on the size of your envelope. for small 3-ounce packets, you’ll typically pay $0.98. for large envelopes/flats, your starting price is $1.56. if you have a thick bubble envelope, expect to pay $4.50.