How to Address a Postcard the Right Way

Ever feel like you don't have the bandwidth to sit down and write a letter? A short and sweet postcard can work just as well. Traditionally used to send greetings from a trip, a postcard is a great way to say hello and show your friends and family you’re thinking of them. If it’s a picture postcard, maybe they’ll even post it on the fridge and think of you each time they see it! 

Follow our easy, step-by-step instructions for sending postcards:

How to write a postcard

1. Start by writing your message on the left side of the card. It's important to write legibly, as postal scanners work quickly; illegible handwriting or even overly decorative styles of writing can lead to misrouting or delays. Note that a return address is not required, but it is wise to include one in the top-left corner. (That way, if the recipient’s address is unreadable or undeliverable, the Postal Service can send the postcard back to you.)
2. Write the recipient’s address on the right side of the postcard. Their name, street address, city + state + ZIP Code™, and country (if needed for international mail) should be on separate lines. (There are often preprinted lines on the right side for this purpose!)
3. Place your stamp in the top-right corner, and that's it! You're ready to mail.

Send your postcard via your own mailbox, a blue collection box, or your local Post Office™.

What stamp should I use for sending a postcard?

The U.S. Postal Service makes mailing one easy with stamps designed and priced especially for the small but mighty postcard.

Like other Forever® stamps, postcard stamps will always be valid even if the price increases. The cost of a First-Class™ postcard stamp as of July 12, 2026, is 65 cents, which covers the cost of sending a single, regular-sized postcard anywhere in the United States, including U.S. territories and military bases overseas. (Postcards that do not measure between 3.5” and 4.25” long, 5” to 6” inches high, and 0.007” and 0.016” thick may need additional postage.)

That said, you can also use any stamps as long as their total value (either alone or with additional postage) meets or exceeds the current rate requirement for a postcard. There is no expiration date for USPS® stamps.

Current postcard stamps for sale at USPS

Each of the five Vibrant Leaves (2025) postcard stamps showcases a single leaf, ranging from yellow to dark red, from these tree species: aspen, sassafras, oak, maple, and sweetgum.

Past postcard stamps still available to use

Although not currently available for sale at USPS, these postcard stamps (and others like them) never expire and can still be used if you have them on hand or find them online. 

• Sailboats (2023): Celebrate a favorite American outdoor activity with two colorful postcard stamps that capture the magic of sailing through the water on a beautiful day.
• Coral Reefs (2019): These stamps depict the beauty and wonder of coral reefs with four designs that each show one type of stony coral, along with associated reef fish.
• Seashells (2017): The whimsical stamp art features four seashells — the alphabet cone, the zebra nerite, the Pacific calico scallop, and the Queen conch, often called the pink conch. 
• Coastal Birds (2015): Four littoral birds — the red knot, king eider, roseate spoonbill, and the magnificent frigatebird — grace these stylized postcard stamps.
• Hummingbird (2014): This blue-tinted stamp features a digital image of a hummingbird, a bird that uses its extra-long bill and tongue to sip nectar from tubular flowers.
• Apples (2013): Still-life compositions of Baldwin, Granny Smith, Golden Delicious, and Northern Spy apples are featured on these illustrated postcard stamps.

International Global Forever postcard stamps

Global stamps are a convenient, cost-effective way to send postcards (and one-ounce letters) to over 180 countries that accept First-Class Mail International® items — including Canada, Great Britain, Japan, and Australia. At just $1.75, this stamp will always retain its value, even if prices go up later. 

The following three Global Forever stamps are unique because of their eye-catching shapes: The triangular Postcrossing stamps depict the words “Postcrossing/Global Forever” at the bottom, while the round Global Forever stamps have the date of issue and the words “Global USA Forever” encircling the stamp’s image.

• The 2026 Postcrossing Global postcard/letter stamps are ideal for people who are interested in receiving real, personalized mail and promoting greater understanding across countries and cultures. Since 2005, the Postcrossing website has inspired people in more than 200 countries and territories to send more than 85 million postcards to recipients around the world. 
• The 2025 1794 Compass Rose Global Forever stamp features a colorful 32-point compass rose drawn in 1794 by Lucia Wadsworth — the aunt of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow — in her school geography notebook when she was 10 years old.
• The 2018 Poinsettia Global Forever stamp highlights the red poinsettia — native to Mexico and closely tied to holiday traditions in the U.S. A perfect choice for the winter holiday season!