Where to Put the Stamp on an Envelope
DMM 604 1.7 says stamps must be affixed firmly in the upper right corner of the address side of the mail cover, and USPS.com gives the upper right corner for envelopes. For postcards, USPS.com says to put the stamp in the space provided near the delivery address. The two USPS documents word it differently, and FedRateCalc does not reconcile them.
Maintained by Archie Chang · USPS pages checked on November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
The rule for an envelope
“Stamps must be affixed firmly in the upper right corner of the address side of the mail cover. Any stamp partly concealed by an overlapping stamp may not be counted as postage.”
“Put stamps in the upper right corner of the envelope. (For postcards, put the stamp in the space provided near the delivery address.)”
USPS.com puts the return address in the top left corner and the delivery address in the bottom center. See how to address an envelope for the address lines.
More than one stamp
DMM 604 1.7 also covers stamps that overlap. Its second sentence, in the quote above, says a stamp partly concealed by an overlapping stamp may not be counted as postage. USPS.com says a sender can use any combination of stamps that adds up to the postage.
Postcards
“Put the postcard stamp in the space provided near the delivery address.”
“Stamps must be affixed firmly in the upper right corner of the address side of the mail cover. Any stamp partly concealed by an overlapping stamp may not be counted as postage.”
The two USPS documents word the stamp spot differently, and FedRateCalc does not reconcile them. Use the space printed on the card, and ask your Post Office if you are unsure. More on the address side in how to address a postcard.
Printed postage, such as a meter or online postage
“Customers must print or apply indicia in the upper-right corner of the envelope or, if postage is printed on an address label, the upper-right corner of that label.”
Clear space and the address side
“A clear space must be available on all mail for the address, postage (permit imprint, postage stamp, or meter stamp), postmarks, and postal endorsements.”
“Except for mail prepared with detached address labels under 4.0, the piece must have the address of the intended recipient, visible and legible, only on the side of the piece bearing postage.”
Return address corner
For mail endorsed for an ancillary service, DMM 602 1.6 says:
“A domestic return address must be placed in the upper left corner of the address side of the piece or the upper left corner of the addressing area.”
“Write your address (the "return" or "sender" address) in the top left corner. Write the delivery address (the "recipient" address) in the bottom center.”
Put the stamp on last
“TIP: Put the stamp on last; that way, if you make a mistake at any other point, you won't waste a stamp.”
Military and overseas mail
The stamp goes in the same corner. For the address lines of APO, FPO and DPO mail, see how to address military mail. To check whether mail is delivered on a given day, see is mail delivered today and USPS holidays 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Where does the stamp go on an envelope?
In the upper right corner of the address side, per DMM 604 1.7. USPS.com gives the same instruction for envelopes.
Where does the stamp go on a postcard?
USPS.com says to put the postcard stamp in the space provided near the delivery address. DMM 604 1.7 says stamps must be affixed firmly in the upper right corner of the address side of the mail cover. The two USPS documents word it differently, and FedRateCalc does not reconcile them. Use the space printed on the card, and ask your Post Office if you are unsure.
What if two stamps overlap?
DMM 604 1.7 says a stamp partly concealed by an overlapping stamp may not be counted as postage. USPS.com says a sender can use any combination of stamps that adds up to the postage.
Where does printed postage go, such as a meter or online postage?
DMM 604 4.3.3 covers postage printed by a postage evidencing system. It says customers must print or apply indicia in the upper-right corner of the envelope or, if postage is printed on an address label, the upper-right corner of that label.
Where does the return address go compared with the stamp?
USPS.com puts the return address in the top left corner of an envelope. For mail endorsed for an ancillary service, DMM 602 1.6 places a domestic return address in the upper left corner of the address side or of the addressing area.
When should the stamp go on?
USPS.com suggests putting the stamp on last, so a mistake at any other point does not waste a stamp.
How we checked
When we checked on November 2, 2026, USPS.com, USPS Publication 28 (Postal Addressing Standards, October 2024 edition) and the Domestic Mail Manual sections 602 and 604 said what is quoted on this page. Each quote shows where it comes from.
More USPS postage and fee tools
Sources (checked November 2, 2026): USPS Domestic Mail Manual 604: Postage Payment Methods · USPS Domestic Mail Manual 602: Addressing · USPS.com: How to Send a Letter or Postcard (Domestic) · USPS.com: How to Send a Letter or Postcard (International)