How much does a money order cost at the post office?

USPS charges $1.75 for money orders up to $500 and $2.40 for money orders from $500.01 to $1,000. USPS money orders are widely accepted, can be cashed at any post office for free, and include a tracking number. International money orders cost $11.50 for up to $700.

Where is the cheapest place to get a money order?

Walmart is cheapest at $1.00 flat for up to $1,000. 7-Eleven and most convenience stores charge $1.00-$1.50 through Western Union or MoneyGram. USPS is $1.75-$2.40. Banks and credit unions charge $5-$10 but some offer free money orders to account holders. Avoid check cashing stores which charge 1-5% of the amount.

Can I buy a money order with a credit card?

Most providers do not accept credit cards for money orders. USPS accepts debit cards and cash only. Walmart accepts cash and debit only. Western Union locations may accept credit cards but your card issuer will typically treat it as a cash advance with high fees (3-5%) and immediate interest charges. Using a debit card or cash is strongly recommended.

How Much Does a Money Order Cost? (2026)

Q: What is the maximum amount for a money order?

Domestic money orders have a $1,000 maximum per money order at USPS, Walmart, and most other providers. If you need to send more than $1,000, you must purchase multiple money orders. Note that purchasing more than $3,000 in money orders in a single day requires showing government-issued ID per federal anti-money-laundering regulations.

Money Order Fee Comparison

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⚠️ Maximum $1,000 per domestic money order. Purchasing more than $3,000 in money orders in one day requires government-issued ID (federal reporting requirement). Never send money orders to someone you don’t know.

Money Order Fees by Provider

Provider	Fee	Maximum	Payment Methods	Notes
Walmart	$1.00	$1,000	Cash, debit	Cheapest major retailer. MoneyGram.
USPS	$1.75–$2.40	$1,000	Cash, debit, traveler’s check	$1.75 up to $500, $2.40 for $500.01–$1,000
Western Union	$1.50	$1,000	Cash, debit	Available at grocery and convenience stores
MoneyGram	$1.00–$1.50	$1,000	Cash, debit	At CVS, Walmart, 7-Eleven, etc.
7-Eleven	$1.00–$1.50	$500–$1,000	Cash	Varies by location. MoneyGram or WU.
CVS	$1.25–$1.65	$500	Cash	MoneyGram. Lower max than others.
Kroger / grocery stores	$0.69–$1.00	$1,000	Cash, debit	Cheapest overall if available. Western Union.
Bank (account holder)	$0–$5.00	Varies	Account funds	Free at some banks. Chase: $5, BofA: $5
Bank (non-customer)	$5.00–$10.00	Varies	Cash	Not recommended. Use Walmart or USPS instead.
Check cashing stores	1–5% of amount	Varies	Cash	Most expensive option. Avoid if possible.

How Costs Compare

46%

Walmart 9%

USPS 9%

Western Union 9%

MoneyGram 9%

7-Eleven 9%

CVS 9%

Bank (non-customer) 46%

Pro Tips for Buying Money Orders

Walmart is the best deal for most people. $1.00 flat for up to $1,000 with no hassle. Open 7 days a week, no membership required. Go to the customer service desk or Money Center. Bring cash or a debit card.

USPS is the safest and most traceable option. USPS money orders have a built-in tracking number and can be verified and cashed at any post office for free. They are widely accepted for rent, government payments, and legal transactions. Worth the extra $0.75 over Walmart for important payments.

Never buy a money order with a credit card. Your card issuer will treat it as a cash advance with a 3–5% fee plus 25%+ APR from day one with no grace period. A $500 money order could cost $15–$25 extra in credit card fees alone. Use cash or debit instead.

Fill it out immediately after purchase. A blank money order is like cash — anyone who finds it can fill in their own name and cash it. Write the payee name and your address at the counter before walking away. Keep the receipt and stub for tracking.

Need more than $1,000? Buy multiple. Each domestic money order maxes at $1,000. For a $2,500 rent payment, buy 3 money orders ($1,000 + $1,000 + $500). At Walmart that is $3.00 in fees total. Just be aware: more than $3,000 in a single day triggers ID requirements.

Consider free alternatives. If you have a bank account, ask about free cashier’s checks or free money orders for account holders. Zelle, Venmo, and PayPal are free for bank transfers. Online bill pay from your bank is free and eliminates the need for money orders entirely for most bills.

Where to Cash a Money Order

You can cash a money order at the issuing provider for free (USPS money orders at any post office, MoneyGram orders at MoneyGram locations, Western Union orders at WU locations). Banks and credit unions cash money orders for account holders for free. Walmart will cash MoneyGram money orders for a maximum of $4.00. Check cashing stores charge 1–5% and should be a last resort. You can also deposit a money order into your bank account through mobile deposit at most banks, which avoids cashing fees entirely.

Money Order vs. Cashier’s Check vs. Certified Check

Money orders max at $1,000 and cost $1–$5. Cashier’s checks have no limit and cost $8–$15 from most banks (free at some credit unions). Certified checks are your personal check verified by the bank for $10–$20. For amounts under $1,000, a money order is cheapest. For large amounts like down payments or vehicle purchases, a cashier’s check is more appropriate and more widely trusted. All three are considered guaranteed funds since the money is paid upfront before the instrument is issued.

When You Actually Need a Money Order

Money orders are most commonly needed for: rent payments (many landlords require guaranteed funds), court-ordered payments, government applications (immigration fees, certain licenses), sending money to someone without a bank account, and situations where a personal check is not accepted. If you have a bank account and the recipient accepts electronic payment, Zelle or direct bank transfer is faster, free, and more traceable than a money order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a money order cost at Walmart in 2026?▼

Walmart charges a flat $1.00 fee for money orders up to $1,000 through MoneyGram. This is the cheapest option at any major retailer. You can purchase at the customer service desk or Money Center using cash or debit card. Credit cards are not accepted. You can buy multiple money orders in one visit.

How much does a USPS money order cost?▼

USPS charges $1.75 for money orders up to $500 and $2.40 for $500.01 to $1,000. International money orders cost $11.50 for up to $700. USPS money orders can be purchased at any post office counter and include a tracking number. They can be verified online and cashed for free at any post office.

Can I buy a money order with a debit card?▼

Yes, most providers accept debit cards: Walmart, USPS, Western Union, and MoneyGram locations all accept debit. Some convenience stores and grocery stores are cash-only. When using a debit card, you will need to enter your PIN. There is no additional surcharge for using debit vs. cash at most locations.

What is the maximum amount for a money order?▼

The domestic maximum is $1,000 per money order at USPS, Walmart, Western Union, and MoneyGram. CVS caps at $500. Banks may issue money orders for higher amounts. If you need to send more than $1,000, purchase multiple money orders. Federal law requires showing government-issued ID for purchases totaling $3,000 or more in a single day.

What happens if a money order is lost or stolen?▼

You can request a replacement or refund using the receipt stub. USPS charges $6.95 for a money order inquiry (Form 6401) and the process takes 30–60 days. MoneyGram and Western Union charge $15–$25 for replacements. Without the receipt, recovery is much harder and may not be possible. Always keep the receipt and stub until the money order is confirmed cashed by the recipient.

How Much Does a Money Order Cost in 2026?

Money Order Fees by Provider

Pro Tips for Buying Money Orders

Where to Cash a Money Order

Money Order vs. Cashier’s Check vs. Certified Check

When You Actually Need a Money Order

Frequently Asked Questions