Direct answer: No. Forever stamps are one type of U.S. postage stamp, but USPS also issues fixed-denomination stamps and stamps tied to other postage categories, including Postcard, Additional Ounce, Two-Ounce, Three-Ounce, and Global Forever stamps. Read the wording on the stamp before deciding what value or service it represents.
Which Stamps Are Forever Stamps?
An ordinary domestic Forever stamp is marked FOREVER instead of showing a dollar amount. Its postage value follows the current price of a stamped one-ounce First-Class Mail letter. A rate increase does not require extra postage when that stamp is used for the mail category it represents.
Which Stamps Are Not Ordinary Forever Stamps?
| Stamp marking | What it represents | Does its value change? |
|---|---|---|
| FOREVER | Ordinary one-ounce domestic First-Class Mail letter value | Yes, with that rate |
| GLOBAL | Applicable one-ounce First-Class Mail International letter or postcard value | Yes, with the Global Forever rate |
| POSTCARD | Domestic postcard value | Yes, with that category |
| ADDITIONAL OUNCE | One additional ounce for an eligible domestic letter | Yes, with that category |
| TWO OUNCE or THREE OUNCE | The stated domestic letter weight category | Yes, with that category |
| A printed cent or dollar amount | That fixed denomination | No; it remains worth the printed amount |
| Older lettered nondenominated stamps, such as G stamps | The fixed value assigned to that specific version | No; it remains at its original issue value |
Why the Distinction Matters
All valid postage can contribute toward a mailing, but the required total depends on weight, dimensions, shape, destination, and service. A stamp marked GLOBAL is not interchangeable with an ordinary Forever stamp on a one-for-one basis, and a fixed 20-cent stamp does not become worth the current Forever rate. Multiple valid stamps can be combined when their total value covers the required postage.
Artwork is not a reliable value test. Similar designs can be issued in different formats or denominations. Check the printed wording and, when uncertain, compare the issue with an official USPS listing.
How to Identify the Stamp You Have
- Look for wording such as FOREVER, GLOBAL, POSTCARD, or ADDITIONAL OUNCE.
- If a numeric denomination is printed, treat it as that fixed value.
- Confirm the mailpiece’s weight, size, destination, and service.
- Use the USPS postage calculator when the piece is heavy, rigid, square, oversized, or international.
For a closer comparison, see Forever stamps vs regular stamps. If you need a stamp count for a mailpiece, use our postage decision guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all postage stamps sold now Forever stamps?
No. USPS continues to use stamps with category wording and fixed denominations as well as ordinary Forever stamps.
Are all stamps that have no number ordinary Forever stamps?
No. A nondenominated stamp may say GLOBAL, POSTCARD, ADDITIONAL OUNCE, TWO OUNCE, or another category. Its wording determines its value basis.
Do non-Forever stamps expire?
Valid unused U.S. postage generally does not expire merely because rates change. A fixed-denomination stamp keeps its printed value and may need to be combined with other postage.
Sources checked August 31, 2026: USPS Forever Stamp facts; USPS Notice 123 price list; USPS postage calculator.
Compare Forever, postcard, additional-ounce, semipostal, and other postage formats in Types of Forever Stamps: A Practical Guide.