How many stamps do I need for a letter within Canada?

One Permanent stamp covers a standard letter up to 30 g within Canada. For a 30-50 g letter ($1.75), use a Permanent stamp plus 51 cents in other stamps, or any combination totalling at least $1.75.

Can I use multiple stamps on one letter?

Yes — pile on as many as fit. Canada Post adds up the face values; once the total reaches the required postage, the letter travels. A few cents over is fine; short, and it may come back or arrive postage-due.

Are stamps from before the rate increase still usable?

Yes. Permanent stamps are always worth the current domestic rate. Older stamps with printed denominations are worth their face value and can be combined with others to top up.

How many stamps do I need?

For a normal letter within Canada: one Permanent™ stamp. The general rule is simpler than people expect — stamps are just money. Add up any stamps you like until the total covers the postage. This page works out the cheapest combination from the stamps you actually have.

Step 1 — find your postage

Where is it going?

Envelope size

Size limits — standard: max 245 × 156 × 5 mm and 50 g · oversize: max 380 × 270 × 20 mm and 500 g · minimum 140 × 90 mm. Bigger or heavier than the oversize maximum is a parcel, not a letter.

Weight (grams)

Step 2 — build the combination with the least overpay

Enter how many of each stamp you have in the drawer. The finder minimizes overpay first, then the number of stamps — that is all "cheapest" means here: the lowest total stamp value that covers the postage. This is the practical way to use up old low-value stamps — Canada Post sells 1¢–10¢ denominations precisely for topping up.

Postage to cover:

Common combinations

You're mailing	Postage	Easy combinations
Letter in Canada, ≤ 30 g	$1.24	1 × Permanent™
Letter in Canada, 30–50 g	$1.75	Permanent™ + 50¢ + 1¢ · or the $1.75 stamp
Letter to the USA, ≤ 30 g	$1.75	USA stamp · or Permanent™ + 51¢ in small stamps
Letter to the USA, 30–50 g	$2.61	$2.61 oversize stamp · or 2 × Permanent™ + 10¢ + 3¢
International letter, ≤ 30 g	$3.65	International stamp · or 3 × Permanent™ (overpays 7¢)
Oversize in Canada, ≤ 100 g	$2.61	$2.61 stamp · or 2 × Permanent™ + 10¢ + 3¢

Using old stamps

I found stamps marked 85¢, 99¢, $1.07 — are they garbage?Not at all. Denominated stamps are worth exactly what's printed on them, forever. A 99¢ stamp plus a 25¢ stamp mails a standard letter today. Collectors aside, face value is their floor.

What about really old stamps — 1960s, 1970s?Unused Canadian stamps from the modern era remain valid for postage at face value. Tiny denominations (1¢–8¢) are perfect top-ups. (Genuinely old mint stamps can occasionally be worth more to collectors than face — if you have full sheets or blocks, it's worth a glance at collector prices before spending them.)

Can I use a USA or international stamp on a letter within Canada?Yes. The names describe their original purpose, not a restriction. Their dollar value counts anywhere.

What happens if I underpay by a few cents?Best case, the letter arrives postage-due; worst case, it's returned to you. Not worth saving 10¢ — always round up.

How many stamps do I need?

Step 1 — find your postage

Step 2 — build the combination with the least overpay

Common combinations

Using old stamps

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