What is a pen pal? Why penpalling is worth it
A pen pal is a friend you get to know by writing — usually someone in another country you may never meet, but who might become one of your closest friends. Here’s what penpalling is, and why so many people love it.
1 million+ members · 195+ countries · 30+ years connecting penpals
What is a pen pal?
A pen pal (also written penpal, or called a penfriend) is someone you write to regularly, often in another country, to share your lives and become friends. Penpalling is the hobby of writing to pen pals.
Traditionally pen pals write letters and send them through the post — “snail mail”. Today many people also write online (sometimes called e-pals), and lots of friendships use both: messages in between, and a real letter or parcel for the special things.
What do pen pals write about?
Anything you’d talk about with a friend. A common misconception is that you must always write about your country — but most pen pals write about everyday life: hobbies, what happened this week, school or work, family and pets, plans and worries, and advice. Penpalling is all about friendship, and the letters reflect that.
Ideas for what to write about →Why have a pen pal?
Pen pals for everyone
People of every age write to pen pals — from school children to retirees. Read more about pen pals for kids, pen pals for seniors and language exchange pen pals.
How to find a pen pal
On Global Penfriends it’s free: create a profile, let us check it, then search for pen pals by country and age or let them find you. Your contact details stay private until you’re ready to share them.
How our club works → How to write your first letter →