USPS Shipping Calculator
Get instant USPS postage rates for all mail classes. Compare Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, and Express options. Save up to 54% on USPS shipping.
How much does USPS shipping cost?
USPS shipping costs start at $4-6 for Ground Advantage (small packages), $8-12 for Priority Mail, and $27+ for Priority Mail Express. Prices depend on weight, size, and distance. ShipWave offers Commercial Plus pricing with savings up to 54% off retail Post Office rates.
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Real rates through ShipWave - save up to 54% vs retail
| Carrier | Service | Price | Delivery Time | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2-5 business days | $4.15 | 2-5 days | Cheapest |
| USPS Priority Mail | 1-3 business days | $8.25 | 1-3 days | |
| USPS Flat Rate Envelope | Priority Mail | $9.65 | 1-3 days | |
| USPS Small Flat Rate Box | Priority Mail | $10.20 | 1-3 days | |
| USPS Medium Flat Rate Box | Priority Mail | $17.10 | 1-3 days | |
| USPS Priority Mail Express | 1-2 days guaranteed | $27.40 | 1-2 days |
2-5 business days
1-3 business days
Priority Mail
Priority Mail
Priority Mail
1-2 days guaranteed
* Prices shown are discounted ShipWave rates. Actual rates vary by exact dimensions, weight, and origin/destination.
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USPS Service Classes Explained
USPS Ground Advantage: The new standard for affordable shipping. Replaces First-Class Package, Parcel Select Ground, and Retail Ground. Delivers in 2-5 business days with tracking. Best for packages under 1 lb where price matters most.
Priority Mail: USPS's flagship service with 1-3 day delivery. Includes $100 insurance, tracking, and free Priority Mail boxes. Flat Rate options ship any weight to any zone for one price.
Priority Mail Express: Guaranteed overnight to 2-day delivery with money-back guarantee. Includes $100 insurance and tracking. Fastest USPS domestic option.
Media Mail: Extremely cheap option for books, DVDs, and educational materials only. Takes 2-8 days. Subject to inspection.
Understanding USPS Pricing
Zone-Based Pricing: USPS divides the US into zones 1-9 from your origin ZIP code. Zone 1 is local, Zone 9 is cross-country (like Maine to California).
Weight Thresholds: Rates jump at certain weights. Ground Advantage has breaks at 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 1 lb, etc. Priority Mail increases every pound.
Commercial vs Retail: Post Office counter rates are retail pricing. ShipWave provides Commercial Plus rates, the deepest USPS discounts available, saving up to 54%.
Dimensional Weight: Packages over 1 cubic foot are charged dimensional weight for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
USPS Flat Rate Options
When Flat Rate Wins: Flat Rate boxes save money when shipping heavy items long distances. A 15-lb item from New York to California in a Medium Flat Rate Box costs $17.10 vs $30+ for calculated Priority Mail.
When Flat Rate Loses: For light items or short distances, calculated rates beat Flat Rate. A 2-lb package going 2 zones costs less with regular Priority Mail.
Free Supplies: USPS provides free Flat Rate boxes, envelopes, and Priority Mail boxes. Order at usps.com/supplies for free delivery.
Flat Rate Options: Envelopes ($9.65), Small Box ($10.20), Medium Box ($17.10), Large Box ($22.45), and various envelope sizes.
Pro Tips to Save More
Ground Advantage Under 1 lb
USPS Ground Advantage is usually cheapest for packages under 1 lb. Compare to Priority for heavier items.
Check Flat Rate vs Calculated
Always compare Flat Rate to calculated Priority Mail. Heavy + far = Flat Rate wins. Light + close = calculated wins.
Use Commercial Rates
ShipWave provides Commercial Plus pricing, saving up to 54% vs Post Office counter rates.
Order Free Supplies
Get free Priority Mail and Flat Rate boxes delivered to your door at usps.com/supplies.
Schedule Free Pickup
USPS offers free package pickup from your address. No need to visit the Post Office.
Cubic Pricing for Small Heavy
Small, heavy packages may qualify for Cubic pricing with additional savings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Use our free USPS calculator above. Enter package weight, dimensions, and ZIP codes to see instant rates for all USPS services at Commercial Plus pricing, saving up to 54% off retail rates.
- USPS is usually cheapest for packages under 2 lbs, especially with Ground Advantage. For heavier packages, UPS and FedEx Ground may be competitive. Always compare all carriers with our calculator.
- A 5 lb package costs approximately $8-15 via Ground Advantage or $12-22 via Priority Mail, depending on distance. Flat Rate Medium Box is $17.10 regardless of weight or destination.
- USPS Ground Advantage is cheapest for most packages. For items that fit, the Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope at $9.65 ships up to 70 lbs anywhere in the US. Media Mail is cheapest for qualifying educational materials.
- Ground Advantage is cheaper and takes 2-5 days. Priority Mail costs more but delivers in 1-3 days with $100 insurance included. For valuable or time-sensitive items, Priority Mail is worth the premium.
- ShipWave provides Commercial Plus pricing, the deepest USPS discounts available. You get these rates automatically when creating labels through ShipWave - no volume requirements or business account needed.
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Real-Time Rates
Live pricing from all carriers updated continuously for accuracy.
Volume Discounts
The more you ship, the more you save with our tiered pricing.
Customer Support
24/7 support to help with all your shipping questions and needs.
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