How wedding invitation postage works
Invitation postage is decided by three things, in this order: what kind of mail the envelope counts as, how much it weighs, and whether a machine can sort it. The wedding invitation postage calculator above checks all three the way a postal clerk would and shows the rule behind each answer.
Prices come straight from the USPS price list that took effect on October 4, 2026, last verified on October 9, 2026. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
It covers mail within the United States: wedding invitations, save-the-dates, greeting cards, holiday cards and handmade cards. If a piece turns out to be a package, the calculator says so and points you to USPS instead of guessing a price.
USPS does not price by occasion. A bridal shower, baby shower, birthday or graduation party invitation follows exactly the same rules as a wedding suite. Only the envelope's size, shape, weight and stiffness count.
Wedding invitation postage cost and rates
The cost of wedding invitation postage starts at $0.82 for one ounce in a standard rectangular envelope. The wedding invitation postage rate then rises by $0.29 for each extra ounce, and an envelope the sorting machines cannot handle pays a flat $0.49 on top.
Multiply by the number of households to get your full wedding invitation postage cost. At 2 oz, 100 invitations come to $111.00, or $160.00 in square envelopes.
| Weight | Standard envelope | Square or wax sealed | 100 standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 oz | $0.82 | $1.31 | $82.00 |
| Up to 2 oz | $1.11 | $1.60 | $111.00 |
| Up to 3 oz | $1.40 | $1.89 | $140.00 |
| Up to 3.5 oz | $1.69 | $2.18 | $169.00 |
Typical wedding invitation postage
Typical wedding invitation postage is $1.11. A full suite, meaning the invitation, a details card, a reply card and its stamped envelope, most often weighs between 1 and 2 oz, so one Two-Ounce stamp covers it.
- A single card in an A7 envelope: about 1 oz, $0.82.
- A full suite with a reply envelope: up to 2 oz, $1.11.
- A pocket fold or double-thick card: around 3 oz, $1.40.
- Any of those in a square envelope or with a wax seal: add $0.49.
Which wedding invitation postage stamps to buy
USPS sells a stamp for each weight step, so most invitations need only one. Wedding invitation postage stamps are ordinary First-Class stamps with a design that suits the occasion. Any stamps that add up to the right amount work just as well.
- Forever stamp, $0.82: 1 oz invitations and every reply envelope.
- Two-Ounce stamp, $1.11: the one most often sold as a wedding stamp.
- Three-Ounce stamp, $1.40: heavy suites and pocket folds.
- Additional Ounce stamp, $0.29: add it to a Forever stamp to step up one ounce.
The three mail classes
Almost every invitation falls into one of these:
- Standard letter. A flexible rectangle up to 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 in, no thicker than 1/4 in and no heavier than 3.5 oz. It costs $0.82 for the first ounce and $0.29 for each ounce after: $1.11 at 2 oz, $1.40 at 3 oz.
- Nonmachinable letter. A letter the sorting machines cannot handle. It pays the same letter price plus a flat $0.49 surcharge, so $1.31 at 1 oz and $1.60 at 2 oz.
- Large envelope (flat). Anything taller, longer, thicker or heavier than a letter, up to 12 x 15 in and 13 oz. It starts at $1.69 and must be flexible.
The common traps
Most surprise postage comes from a short list of design choices. None of them is obvious until someone tells you.
- Square envelopes. Machines need an envelope that is clearly longer than it is tall. Every square pays the surcharge.
- Wax seals and ribbon. A lump or a tie on the envelope means hand sorting.
- Rigid cards. Acrylic, wood and stiff board do not bend around the rollers.
- The address on the short side. The same envelope passes or fails depending on which way you write on it.
- One tenth of an ounce. Weight is rounded up, so 1.1 oz pays the 2 oz price.
Square wedding invitation postage
Square wedding invitation postage is the letter price plus the $0.49 surcharge: $1.31 at 1 oz and $1.60 at 2 oz. That holds for squares from 5 in up to 6 1/8 in. A larger square is priced as a large envelope from $1.69, and one under 5 in cannot be mailed at all. The square envelope postage page covers each size.
How to avoid extra postage
Pick a rectangular envelope such as an A7 for a 5 x 7 invitation. Address it along the long side. Keep everything inside flat and flexible, and close it with the gummed flap. Then weigh one finished invitation and trim anything that puts it barely over an ounce line.
Do that and a 1 oz invitation costs $0.82. For 150 invitations that is $123.00, against $196.50 for the same list in square envelopes. The surcharge guide goes through every trigger.
If the square envelope or the wax seal is the whole point, pay the $0.49 and enjoy it. The surcharge is charged once per piece, so a second or third trigger costs nothing more.
USPS wedding invitation postage cost: 2025 and 2026
USPS wedding invitation postage has gone up since 2025. On July 13, 2025 the one-ounce letter price rose from $0.73 to $0.78 and each additional ounce from $0.28 to $0.29, as USPS announced. The price list in force now, dated October 4, 2026, puts the first ounce at $0.82.
For 100 invitations at 2 oz that is $107.00 at 2025 rates and $111.00 today. Forever, Two-Ounce and Three-Ounce stamps bought at the old price still cover the same weight, so leftover stamps from 2025 need nothing added.
| Invitation | 2025 rate | 2026 rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 oz, standard envelope | $0.78 | $0.82 |
| 2 oz, standard envelope | $1.07 | $1.11 |
| 3 oz, standard envelope | $1.36 | $1.40 |
| 1 oz, square envelope | $1.27 | $1.31 |
| 2 oz, square envelope | $1.56 | $1.60 |
Before you buy stamps
Assemble one complete invitation, weigh it, and run it through the calculator. Then take that one sealed sample to a post office counter and ask them to confirm. A clerk makes the final call on things like stiffness, and two minutes there protects the whole batch.
Remember the reply envelopes too. Each needs its own $0.82 stamp, and the stamped reply envelope adds weight to the invitation it travels in.
Look up your case
Questions and answers
How much is postage for a wedding invitation?
$0.82 if it weighs 1 oz or less, $1.11 up to 2 oz and $1.40 up to 3 oz, in a standard rectangular envelope. Add $0.49 if the envelope is square, rigid, or has a wax seal or ribbon.
What is the typical wedding invitation postage?
$1.11 for a full suite that weighs between 1 and 2 oz in a standard rectangular envelope. A single card with no inserts is usually $0.82, and a heavy pocket fold is $1.40.
How much is USPS wedding invitation postage in 2026?
$0.82 for the first ounce and $0.29 for each additional ounce, on the USPS price list effective October 4, 2026. The nonmachinable surcharge for square or wax-sealed envelopes is $0.49.
How much is square wedding invitation postage?
$1.31 at 1 oz, $1.60 at 2 oz and $1.89 at 3 oz, for square envelopes from 5 in to 6 1/8 in. That is the letter price plus the $0.49 nonmachinable surcharge.
Which stamps should I use for wedding invitations?
A Forever stamp for 1 oz, a Two-Ounce stamp for 2 oz or a Three-Ounce stamp for 3 oz. Any combination of stamps that adds up to the postage is accepted, so the design is your choice.
Is invitation postage the same for showers and party invitations?
Yes. USPS prices mail by size, weight and shape, not by occasion. A shower, birthday or holiday invitation in a standard rectangular envelope costs $0.82 at 1 oz, the same as a wedding invitation, and the $0.49 surcharge applies in the same cases.
Why do square envelopes cost more to mail?
Sorting machines need an envelope whose length is at least 1.3 times its height. A square is 1 to 1, so it is sorted by hand and pays a $0.49 nonmachinable surcharge.
Does a wax seal need extra postage?
Yes. A raised seal makes the envelope uneven in thickness, which makes it nonmachinable. That adds $0.49, so a 1 oz invitation with a seal costs $1.31.
How much does a 2 oz invitation cost to mail?
$1.11 in a standard rectangular envelope, or $1.60 if it is nonmachinable. One Two-Ounce stamp covers the standard price exactly.
Do I need extra postage for a ribbon or bow?
Yes if the ribbon is on the outside of the envelope or leaves a lump you can feel. Both make the letter nonmachinable and add $0.49. A flat ribbon or paper band inside adds only its weight.
What is the nonmachinable surcharge?
It is an extra $0.49 per letter for envelopes that cannot go through USPS sorting machines. It is charged once per piece, whatever the weight and however many reasons apply.
What envelope size avoids extra postage?
Any rectangle whose long side is 1.3 to 2.5 times its short side, up to 6 1/8 x 11 1/2 in. The common A1, A2, A6, A7, A7.5, A9, A10 and #10 envelopes all qualify.
How do I weigh invitations without a postal scale?
Use a digital kitchen scale, or weigh ten finished invitations together and divide by ten. A post office will also weigh one for free. One ounce is 28.35 grams.
How much postage do RSVP envelopes need?
One Forever stamp, $0.82, for a standard reply envelope. A reply postcard with no envelope needs only $0.65.
Can I use two Forever stamps instead of a special stamp?
Yes. Two Forever stamps are worth $1.64, which covers a 2 oz letter ($1.11), a 3 oz letter ($1.40) or a 1 oz nonmachinable letter ($1.31). You overpay a little each time.
When do postage rates change?
USPS sets the dates and announces changes in advance. The prices on this site are from the price list effective October 4, 2026 and were last verified on October 9, 2026. Forever stamps stay valid through any change.
What happens if I don't put enough postage on an invitation?
It is short paid. USPS may deliver it with postage due from your guest, or return it to you. Short-paid nonmachinable letters, such as square or wax-sealed ones, are returned to the sender.
How many stamps does a wedding invitation need?
One, if you match the stamp to the weight: a Forever stamp for 1 oz, a Two-Ounce stamp for 2 oz or a Three-Ounce stamp for 3 oz.
How much postage for a 5x7 invitation?
A 5 x 7 invitation in an A7 envelope needs $0.82 at 1 oz, $1.11 at 2 oz and $1.40 at 3 oz. The A7 size itself never adds a surcharge.
Is this calculator affiliated with USPS?
No. This is an independent site. Its rates and rules are read from published USPS sources, and each result links to the rule it relies on.
Invitation cost, printing and design questions
How much should 100 invitations cost?
Budget roughly $100 to $300 for 100 printed invitations with envelopes from an online printer, and $400 to $800 or more for a full wedding suite on heavy stock. Add $82.00 to mail them at 1 oz each.
Are invitations 4x6 or 5x7?
Most invitations are 5 x 7 in, which fits an A7 envelope and is the standard wedding size. 4 x 6 in is common for casual parties and save-the-dates and fits an A6 envelope. Both mail at the standard letter price.
How much does it cost to send an invitation?
$0.82 for an invitation that weighs 1 oz or less in a standard rectangular envelope, and $1.11 up to 2 oz. A square envelope, wax seal or rigid card adds $0.49.
How much should 200 wedding invitations cost?
Roughly $300 to $800 for 200 digitally printed wedding invitations with envelopes, and $1,500 or more for letterpress or foil. Postage adds $164.00 at 1 oz each or $222.00 at 2 oz each.
How many stamps to send an invitation?
One Forever stamp if the invitation weighs 1 oz or less. A 2 oz invitation needs one Two-Ounce stamp or two Forever stamps, and a square or wax-sealed envelope needs $0.49 more in postage.
How many invitations for 150 guests?
About 75 to 100. You send one invitation per household, not per guest, so couples and families share one. Order 10 to 15 extra for late additions, keepsakes and addressing mistakes.
How much to print 100 invites?
Printing alone usually runs $40 to $150 for 100 flat 5 x 7 cards at an office-supply store or online printer, depending on the paper weight and whether both sides are printed. Envelopes are often sold separately.
How to make cheap invitations?
Start from a free template, print on plain cardstock at home or at a copy shop, and skip extras such as liners, ribbon and wax seals. Use a standard rectangular envelope and keep each one under 1 oz so it mails for $0.82.
Can Chatgpt create an invitation?
Yes. ChatGPT can write the wording and generate an invitation image from a description. Check every name, date and address yourself, and move the result into a design tool if you need a print-ready file at the right size.
How much do invitations cost on average?
Printed invitations usually cost $1 to $3 each from online printers and $5 to $10 or more each for custom or letterpress work. Couples commonly spend a few hundred dollars on wedding invitations in total, before postage.
What is the cheapest online invitation?
A digital invitation sent by email or text, which is free on services such as Evite, Canva and Greetings Island. Paid digital designs usually cost well under a dollar per guest, and there is no postage.
Where can I get cheap invitations?
Online printers, office-supply stores and warehouse club photo centers have the lowest printed prices, especially with a coupon. Printable templates that you download and print yourself cost less again.
Which invitation app is best?
It depends on what you are sending. Canva is strong for designing invitations you will print, Evite and Paperless Post are built for digital invitations with RSVP tracking, and Greetings Island is a simple choice for free printable designs.
How much to charge for invitation design?
Freelance designers commonly charge $50 to $150 for a customized template and $300 to $1,500 or more for a fully custom wedding suite. Price by the hours involved, the number of pieces and the rounds of revisions you include.
How much do 100 invitations cost?
Anywhere from about $50 to $800, depending mostly on the printing method and paper. Digital printing on standard cardstock sits at the low end, and letterpress, foil, envelope liners and extra insert cards push it up.
How much should I charge for a digital invitation?
Sellers typically charge $5 to $15 for an editable template and $25 to $100 for a custom digital design, with animated or video invitations at the higher end. Charge more for rush work and extra revisions.
Can I design my own invitation?
Yes. Free tools such as Canva, Adobe Express, Google Docs and Microsoft Word are enough. Set the page to the finished size, usually 5 x 7 in, keep text at least 1/8 in from the edge, and export a PDF for printing.
How to create a simple invitation?
Pick one template and one or two fonts, then list who is hosting, what the event is, the date and time, the place and how to reply. Leave plenty of blank space and proofread it twice before you print or send it.
Where can I get invitations printed?
At online printers such as Vistaprint, Shutterfly and Minted, at office-supply and copy shops such as Staples and FedEx Office, at many pharmacy and warehouse club photo centers, or at a local print shop.
Is Canva free for invites?
Yes. Canva's free plan includes many invitation templates that you can edit and download at no cost. Some templates, photos and features need a paid plan, and having Canva print and ship your invitations costs extra.
Can I print invitations at home?
Yes, if your printer can feed cardstock. Most home inkjets handle 65 to 80 lb cover stock, so check the manual, print one test page first and let the ink dry before stacking. Heavier paper is better sent to a print shop.
Where can I find free invitation templates?
Canva, Adobe Express, Greetings Island, Microsoft Word and Google Docs all offer free invitation templates. Check that the template matches your envelope size before you print.
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