If you are interested in connecting with people around the world, this list of amazing websites to find pen pals will help get you started. As long as I can remember, I have had a snail mail pen pal. Snail mail simply means you correspond through handwritten letters that require stamps and the use of the post office. There have been countless famous pen pals throughout history as well. My favorite writing pair is Marie Antoinette and Charlotte of Mecklensburg-Strelitz. One cool fact is Marie Antoinette confided in Charlotte upon the outbreak of the French Revolution! Who knows, maybe you will find your Marie Antoinette on this list of the best sites to find pen pals. If you want something a little more modern, there are also a few websites where you can find a cyber penpal!
1. PenPal
International friends, exciting cultures and happy post... What’s not to like! PenPal connects members all over the world via (printed) postcards, based on their common interests, hobbies, and location. And all without compromising privacy! PenPal prints and delivers members’ postcards - meanwhile, addresses remain hidden securely behind their username. Sign up for free now!
2. International Pen Friends
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If you are willing to pay for your pen pal, I highly recommend International Pen Friends. They were established in 1967 and since then have processed over 2 million pen pal applications. I love this site because they ask you really detailed questions about your interests and the top countries you are interested in so they can match you up with the best pen pal for you. This is definitely one of the best sites to find pen pals.
3. Pen Pal World
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Pen Pal World is a free site that allows you to directly contact other people seeking pen pals. All of the initial interaction happens through their site so none of your personal information is publicly displayed. Once you connect with a good match, you can choose to swap more information and begin writing letters.
4. Penpals Now
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Penpals Now is another awesome free site. This site allows you to post your information so that others can find you. If you don't want to post your information publicly, you can choose to search through their engine for someone who matches what you are looking for.
5. Wattpad
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Wattpad is a great place for young writers around the world to meet each other! Although it isn't officially meant for finding pen pals, it's a great place to find one! I found one of my pen pals of many years through wattpad! Since we were both aspiring authors, we always had plenty to talk about! If you're interested in writing or reading, then wattpad is a great place to search for a pen pal!
6. Student Letter Exchange
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Student Letter Exchange is how I discovered the wonderful world of pen pals. My 2nd grade teacher signed up my class for this program so we got to write and read our letters in class. This site focuses on younger writers aged 9-20 and it's top notch!
7. Letternet
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Letternet is the world's biggest free pen pal club with pen pals from over 140 countries to choose from. I love this site because they also offer helpful articles like "Better Letters," an article that gives you hints for better letter writing.
8. Letter Writers Alliance
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Letter Writers Alliance requires a paid membership, but don't let that turn you away! If you're serious about letter writing and love having multiple pen pals, this site is the one for you! The website is dedicated to keeping the art of letter writing alive by linking you to other letter-enthusiasts and Letter Writers Alliance members. You may find a few life-long friends on here, all from a mutual love of snail mail!
9. Sassociations
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Sassociations is fun, free and allows you to search for pen pals by the most recent submissions as well as by age and gender. I found a great pen pal through this site several years ago and also found the process to be easy. Be careful to use wisdom with free sites like this though; sometimes scammers will post or contact you with a sob story asking for money.
10. Maarten's Snail Mail Pen Pals
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Maarten's has been online since 1998 and always has a new selection of pen pals to choose from. Like other free sites, you can choose to have your information listed or browse through the public listings. This site makes it easy to search by country, age, gender, and language
11. Postcrossing
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Maybe your busy schedule hardly allows time for your real friends, let alone a pen pal, but you still want to be in touch with people around the world. If that's the case, then postcrossing is the perfect site for you! Here, you'll simply send and receive postcards to and from around the world! It's such a neat system that you should definitely take advantage of!
12. Handwritten Inspiration
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Allow me to say that Handwritten Inspiration is my favorite idea ever! A passtime for many becomes a beacon of hope for some through Handwritten Inspiration. This website allows you to send letters to people who are hurting, lonely, and depressed. Likewise, if you're at a low in your life, you can request a letter without even sending one! More than a pen pal, you can be someone's guardian angel! What a blessing!
13. My Language Exchange
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If you learned or are currently learning a second language and want some extra practice, this is a great site for you! You can search and select a penpal from the country, and perhaps even the city, of your choice! Then, practice writing in your foreign language and gain a new friend! It's a win-win!
14. Interpals
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Interpals is great for forging relationships with people around the world! Having friends in other countries becomes extremely convenient when you are traveling and need a place to stay! Plus, meeting someone from another country gives you the opportunity to learn about another culture through the eyes of a new friend!
15. Tumblr
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Tumblr is a hot spot for members of every "fandom". In other words, if you're obsessed with shows like Sherlock and Doctor Who, or the Lord of the Rings movies, etc. you're destined to find your ideal penpal on Tumblr! Having something in common with someone is the foundation of any good friendship. So get on tumblr, start hashtagging, and see who you meet!
16. Facebook
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Of course, there's always Facebook to help you find pen pals, too! There are so many Facebook groups to join, that you would have to try harder not to find a pen pal than you would to actually find one! Based on your interests, career, music taste, etc. you can meet many people who you'd get along with. You'll have a cyber pen pal in seconds!
When looking for a pen pal, remember to be safe and be smart! Not everyone is as honest and trustworthy as they should be. That being said, I hope you're excited to find a new friend! Have you ever had a pen pal? I find it refreshing to get a nice letter mixed in my pile of bills and junk mail. It's also really therapeutic to hand-write what's going on in life. Try it out, I think you will love it!
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a pen pal?
- A pen pal is someone you regularly send letters to and receive letters from, usually someone who lives in a different place. You can share stories, life experiences, and cultures through writing to each other.
- How do I find a pen pal?
- You can find a pen pal by joining pen pal websites, looking for pen pal programs in schools or community centers, or by connecting with people through social media or online forums and expressing an interest in finding a pen pal.
- Is it safe to have a pen pal?
- Yes, having a pen pal can be safe if you take precautions. Avoid sharing personal information like your home address or phone number until you trust your pen pal. Use a P.O. Box for letters if possible, and consider using a pen pal service that checks the authenticity of its users.
- Can I find a pen pal from another country?
- Absolutely! Finding a pen pal from another country is a great way to learn about new cultures and languages. Pen pal websites often allow you to search for people based on location, so you can choose someone from a country you're interested in.
- Is it free to use pen pal websites?
- Many pen pal websites are free and allow you to create a profile and start looking for pen pals without any charge. However, some sites might require a subscription or payment to access additional features, like enhanced searching or more security.