Letters to inmates
What's the cheapest way to write to someone in prison?
Updated · By the SendMyLettersOnline team
The cheapest way is usually a handwritten or home-printed letter mailed with a single First-Class Mail stamp, since one stamp covers a standard letter up to 1 ounce (check the current stamp price on usps.com). Facility electronic messaging and print-and-mail services cost more per letter but save you the paper, printer, envelope and trip.
| Method | What you pay | Good when |
|---|---|---|
| Your own letter + stamp | One First-Class stamp (current price) plus paper and envelope | You have paper, envelopes and stamps |
| Facility electronic messaging | The vendor's per-message price (set by the facility's contract) | The facility offers it and you want speed |
| Print-and-mail service (us) | $3.99 First-Class, up to 3 pages | No printer, stamps or envelopes, or you write from abroad |
Keep the cost down
- Stay within 1 ounce (a few sheets of regular paper in a standard envelope) so one stamp covers it; weigh it if unsure.
- Get the address and ID number right: a returned letter costs you the postage twice.
- Check rules before buying cards or photos the facility may reject.
- Forever stamps keep their value after USPS price changes.
When a print-and-mail service makes sense
If you don't own a printer or stamps, live outside the US, or simply prefer to type, a service that prints and mails the letter is the convenient option. Ours is $3.99 for up to 3 pages by USPS First-Class Mail. Check that the facility accepts typed letters from a mailing service first.
Quick answers
Cheapest way to write to someone in prison?
A letter you write yourself with one First-Class stamp. Electronic messaging and print-and-mail services cost more but are more convenient.
How much does it cost to mail a letter to an inmate?
The same as any letter: USPS First-Class postage for its weight. USPS changes prices periodically; see the current price list.
Is electronic messaging cheaper than a letter?
It depends on the facility's vendor contract. Compare its per-message price with the cost of a stamp.
What to do next
No printer or stamps? Type your letter and we print and mail it for $3.99.
Send a $3.99 letterSources
Checked: . General information, not legal advice. Fees and rules change: confirm current values at the official links above.