The main types of Forever stamps are ordinary domestic Forever, Global Forever, Postcard, Additional Ounce, Two-Ounce, Three-Ounce, and stamps for the nonmachinable letter category. The words printed on a stamp determine which price category it tracks; the picture or theme does not.
Forever stamp types at a glance
| Printed category | What its value tracks | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| FOREVER | Domestic one-ounce First-Class Mail letter price | Eligible standard domestic letters |
| GLOBAL FOREVER | First-Class Mail International one-ounce stamped letter price | Eligible international letters or postcards |
| POSTCARD | Domestic postcard price | Eligible standard postcards |
| ADDITIONAL OUNCE | Current additional-ounce price | Added weight on eligible First-Class letters |
| TWO OUNCE | Current two-ounce stamped-letter price | Eligible letters weighing up to two ounces |
| THREE OUNCE | Current three-ounce stamped-letter price | Eligible letters weighing up to three ounces |
| NON-MACHINABLE | Applicable nonmachinable letter category | Eligible square or unusually shaped letters |
Which stamps are Forever stamps?
A nondenominated stamp clearly labeled FOREVER—or a named Forever service category such as GLOBAL FOREVER, POSTCARD, or TWO OUNCE—tracks the applicable category shown on it. A stamp displaying only a fixed cent or dollar amount does not automatically increase with future prices.
Domestic Forever stamps
This is the familiar one-ounce letter category. Flag, flower, holiday, commemorative, and other artwork can all use the same ordinary Forever postage value. Choose the theme for the message, but choose the postage category for the mailpiece.
Global Forever stamps
Global Forever stamps track the First-Class Mail International one-ounce letter price and can also pay the international postcard price where that service is available. Check destination, weight, dimensions, and current international rules before mailing. Browse current Global Forever stamp options.
Postcard and additional-postage categories
A Postcard stamp tracks the postcard price, not the ordinary one-ounce letter price. An Additional Ounce stamp supplies the category value printed on it and is normally combined with base postage. Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce stamps track their respective letter categories. Compare Postcard stamps, Additional Ounce stamps, and Two-Ounce stamps.
Format is different from postage type
Panes, booklets, and coils describe how stamps are packaged. They do not create a different postage class. Likewise, commemorative and definitive describe issuance purpose or sales life; the printed denomination still controls usable value.
How to choose the right type
- Identify domestic or international mail.
- Measure the finished piece and weigh it after inserting everything.
- Check whether it is square, rigid, oversized, or otherwise nonstandard.
- Match the printed stamp category to the required postage, adding other postage when necessary.
Official sources
The USPS Domestic Mail Manual section 604 defines nondenominated stamp categories and formats. The USPS stamp history explains the domestic and Global Forever programs, while the 2015 service-category announcement documents Postcard, Additional Ounce, Two-Ounce, Three-Ounce, and nonmachinable labels.
Category definitions checked September 1, 2026. Always verify current eligibility and prices for the finished mailpiece.
Not every product called a stamp is Forever postage. See our comparison of historic Zazzle customized postage and USPS Forever stamps.
Choose by Style, Theme, and Release
After selecting the correct postage category, choose artwork that fits the recipient or mailing. Theme does not change postal value, but it can make a card, invitation, or business mailing easier to recognize.
- Occasion: compare wedding, celebration, and holiday collections.
- Subject: browse animal, flower, sports, or character designs.
- Format: compare booklets, panes, and coils only after confirming the postage category.
- Release year: use the 2026 issue directory for a chronological list; individual product pages hold the detailed issue and purchase facts.
This page is a routing guide, not a replacement for annual issue directories or product specifications.