Manila envelopes are popular for sending important documents for business purposes due to their sturdiness and solid seal. If you’re dealing with it for the first time, you must know the cost of mailing a manila envelope. So, how much does it cost to mail a manila envelope?
Generally, the size of the manila envelope determines the cost of mailing and the required number of stamps. A 1-ounce small envelope for mailing costs 0.64 USD, while a flat envelope costs 1.26 USD. Mailing costs will increase as envelope weight increases.
In the following discussion, we’ll discuss the number of stamps and mailing costs in detail with charts to facilitate your precise understanding.
Related: Cost To Mail A 9×12 Envelope
How Many Types of Manila Envelopes Are There?
These professional envelopes are common in the office environment. Manila envelopes contain a tan-color packaging widely used for safely transferring letters, contracts, invoices, and other crucial documents.
Generally, the types of manila envelopes are categorized according to their sizes. Such as:
- 5 x 7” manila envelopes (small size)
- 6 x 9” manila envelopes (medium size)
- 9 x 12” manila envelopes (standard size)
- 10 x 13″ manila envelopes (rarely used)
Apart from the envelope size, the design of the envelope lock also varies. You can find manila envelopes with metal clasps, buttons, or string locks to match your requirement.
How Many Stamps for A Manila Envelope?
The size and weight of the envelope determine how many stamps a manila envelope needs. For example, standard letters of 3.5 ounces or less need 1 Forever stamp, and large envelopes need 2 Forever stamps and additional posting costs. The overall details are discussed below:
Number of Stamps for A 5 x 7” Manila Envelope
This is the smallest size of the manila envelope. A small manila envelope is generally used for mailing invitations and letters. It also meets the USPS’s requirement to utilize as a First-Class mail service.
Depending on the manila envelope weight, you need to use accurate numbers of stamps. For example, if the envelope weighs less than an ounce, you need to use 1 domestic Forever stamp and expect to pay $0.63 for mailing.
As the weight of the manila envelope increases, so will the stamp number and mailing cost. If the envelope weighs more than 1 ounce, you will pay an additional $0.24 per ounce.
A 5 x 7″ manila envelope has a maximum weight of 3.5 ounces. Anything over this weight is considered a large envelope, and you’ll need to pay a similar value for a large envelope. Here’s a chart for precise understanding:
Weight | Stamp Numbers |
Less than 1 ounce | 1 Forever stamp |
1.1 to 2 ounce | 1 Forever stamp and 1 Ounce stamp |
2.1 to 3 ounce | 1 Forever stamp and 2 Ounce stamp |
3.1 to 3.5 ounce | 1 Forever stamp and 3 Ounce stamp |
Number of Stamps for A 6 x 9″ Manila Envelope
This is the medium size of a manila envelope, which has similar stamp requirements and value to the small-sized envelope. A 6 x 9″ manila envelope is categorized as a First-Class letter.
As with a small envelope, a 6 x 9″ manila envelope weighing less than 1 ounce requires 1 Forever stamp. Expect to pay $0.63 for sending the envelope.
The maximum weight limit for this manila envelope size is 3.5 ounces; additional ounces over 1oz will cost you an extra $0.24. You can follow the 5 x 7” manila envelope’s stamp number chart for a medium size manila envelope.
Number of Stamps for A 9 x 12” Manila Envelope
A 9 x 12″ manila envelope is the standard size, which is also categorized under large/flat mailing type. This manila envelope size is widely used for business purposes as an A4 paper (8.5 x 11″) can easily fit in it.
Therefore, the number of stamps and costs will differ from the above two manila envelope sizes. If you want to use a 9 x 12″ manila envelope, you need 2 domestic Forever stamps for an ounce. And an additional ounce stamp is required for each extra ounce.
You should expect to spend about $1.26 to mail a flat envelope. However, the charge for an additional ounce is $0.24, which is the same as the other two sizes. You can follow the below chart for a better understanding.
Weight in Ounces | Stamp Numbers |
Less than 1 ounce | 2 Forever stamp |
1.1 to 2 ounce | 2 Forever stamp and 1 Ounce stamp |
2.1 to 3 ounce | 2 Forever stamp and 2 Ounce stamp |
3.1 to 3.5 ounce | 2 Forever stamp and 3 Ounce stamp |
Number of Stamps for A 10 x 13″ Manila Envelope
This envelope size is also called a large manila envelope. But it’s rarely used because the envelope size is pretty large for standard document size.
Typically, 10 x 13″ manila envelopes are used to mail property documents, blueprints, engineering drawings, or other large documents. Stamp numbers and mailing costs are the same as 9 x 12″ manila envelopes. Hence, follow the standard manila envelope chart to prepare a 10 x 13″ envelope for sending.
Consequences of Not Having Enough Stamps on A Manila Envelope
Here’s what will happen if you don’t add enough stamps to a manila envelope:
- USPS won’t be able to deliver the mail to your expected address
- You’ll receive the manila envelope back to you
- Expect to pay the return shipping cost of the manila envelope
- Unless you pay the shipping cost, USPS will cancel your mail delivery
- If they cancel the delivery of the document, you can’t reuse the stamp. In short, you’ll waste a stamp
- A lack of postage stamps will result in a delay in document delivery.
How Much Does It Cost to Mail A Manila Envelope?
To calculate the cost of mailing, you need to follow this equation:
Manila Envelope Mailing Cost = Cost of 1 ounce + Extra mailing charge for every additional ounce
Here’s a chart of the cost to mail a manila envelope in 2023:
Small and Medium Size Manila Envelope
Weight | Price ($) |
Less than 1 ounce | 0.63 |
2 ounces | 0.87 |
3 ounces | 1.11 |
3.5 ounces | 1.35 |
Large Size Manila Envelope
Weight | Price ($) |
Less than 1 ounce | 1.26 |
2 ounces | 1.50 |
3 ounces | 1.74 |
4 ounces | 1.98 |
5 ounces | 2.22 |
How to Mail A Manila Envelope
Okay, so you now know how many stamps a manila envelope needs and how much it costs to mail it. Let’s learn the mailing process of a manila envelope:
- First, add an adhesive label.
- Now place the envelope on a flat surface and arrange it in landscape orientation.
- Once you place the document in, seal the mouth of the envelope
- After that, insert the sender’s and recipient’s addresses, and add stamps.
- Fulfill any other optional instructions if you have any.
Check out the following tutorial for writing down the address.
Conclusion
So, how much does it cost to mail a manila address? You now know the answer. Small (5 x 7″) and medium (6 x 9″) size, and large (9 x 12″) and extra large (10 x 13″) size manila envelope shares the same amount of stamps and mailing costs.
Remember to double-check the number of stamps before sending to prevent extra costs and delivery delays.
Related: How Many Stamps Should i Put On A 9×12 Envelope

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