The best sites to find pen pals
Pen pals used to mean paper letters. Today many sites connect you with people abroad to write to. Here are well-known ones, what each says about itself, and then Penpalmap, which is new and which we run.
Sites worth a look
InterPals
- Free to use, according to the site
ConversationExchange
- Free to use, according to the site
Information checked on 2026-11-04
How we chose
We picked well-known sites that are open today and whose own pages say that using them is free. We only note what those pages say. Offers change, so read the site's page before you sign up.
Letters or chat?
Some sites are made for long, slow letters, others for quick messages. Decide how often you want to write before you pick one.
Staying safe
Never share your address, your phone number or your passwords with someone you have just met. Use the block and report tools where a site has them, and tell an adult if something feels wrong, especially if you are young.
And Penpalmap, a new site
Penpalmap is a new site and we run it, so keep that in mind when you read our opinion. It is a world map where every pin is a person: pick a spot, open a profile and say hello in seconds, with no signup. It is free and has no advertising. With a free account, a button translates the messages you receive. You must be 13 or older.
Questions about pen pal sites
How do I find a pen pal?
Create a profile, say who you are and what you like, then write first to people whose interests or languages match yours.
Are pen pal sites free?
The sites above say that using them is free. Some may also sell extras, so read each site's own page.
Is Penpalmap a pen pal site?
You can use it that way: open a profile on the world map and say hello. It is free, it has no advertising, and it is new.