Shipping Calculator

This calculator compares rates from four major carriers: USPS, UPS, FedEx, and DHL. It shows prices, delivery times, tracking quality, and pickup options for each one so you can pick the best fit.

Quick Quote gives you a fast estimate with fewer fields to fill in. Full Quote lets you add up to 10 parcels, enter customs manifest details for international shipments, and see more advanced options. Use Quick Quote when you need a fast answer and Full Quote when you need exact pricing.

Dimensional weight measures how much space your box takes up. It is calculated by multiplying length × width × height and dividing by 139 (in inches). Carriers charge whichever is higher: actual weight or dimensional weight. A big, light box may cost more than a small, heavy one because it takes up more room in the truck or plane.

Billable weight is the number carriers use to set your shipping price. It is the higher of your package's actual weight or its dimensional weight. The calculator finds both numbers and uses the bigger one automatically.

Zones are based on the distance between the origin and destination ZIP codes. Zone 1 is local, and Zone 8 is the farthest, like coast to coast. A higher zone means a higher price. For international shipments, the zone is based on the destination country.

Carriers have daily cutoff times. If you drop off your package after the cutoff, it won't start moving until the next business day. Choosing a late drop-off time in the calculator adds one extra transit day to your estimated delivery date so you get a more accurate arrival estimate.

Choose a flat rate envelope or box when your items fit inside the carrier's flat rate packaging and are heavy for their size. Flat rate pricing stays the same no matter how much the contents weigh (up to the limit). This often saves money on dense, compact items. If your package does not fit in a flat rate option, use Custom Shape & Size.

Three things can trigger a surcharge: the longest side is over 48 inches, the package weighs over 70 pounds, or the length plus girth is over 130 inches. The calculator checks for all three and shows a warning with the estimated extra fee if any apply.

Find the longest side of your box. That is the length. Then measure the two shorter sides, add them together, and multiply by 2. That is the girth. Add the length and girth together. If the total is over 130 inches, you may face a surcharge.

Shipment protection is insurance for your package. Basic covers up to $100 for $2.50. Standard covers up to $500 for $8.00. Full Value Protection costs 1% of your declared value and covers the full amount. Choose None if you don't need coverage.

Declared value is how much your package contents are worth in U.S. dollars. Use the purchase price for new items and the current resale price for used items. This number is used to calculate insurance costs and customs duties for international shipments.

Words like "stuff," "things," "gifts," or "miscellaneous" can cause problems at customs and with carrier claims. Specific descriptions like "cotton t-shirts" or "ceramic coffee mug" help your package clear customs faster and make insurance claims easier if something goes wrong.

An HS tariff number is a 6 to 14 digit code that classifies your goods for customs. Every product has one. You can find it on your supplier's invoice or by searching a customs tariff lookup tool. Entering the right code helps your international package clear customs without delays.

Yes, unless you are sending nonnegotiable documents only (like printed papers with no commercial value). For everything else, you must list each item with its description, quantity, value, weight, and HS tariff number. The calculator has a built-in manifest table to help you do this.

Yes. Switch to Full Quote mode and click Add Another Parcel. You can add up to 10 parcels total. Each parcel gets its own dimensions and weight. The calculator adds them all together to find your total billable weight and shipping cost.

Checking this box removes all air-only shipping services from the results. You need this for certain hazardous materials, oversized packages, or items that are not allowed on planes. Only ground services like USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground, and FedEx Ground will show up.

The scatter chart plots each carrier option as a dot. The horizontal axis shows cost (left is cheaper, right is more expensive). The vertical axis shows speed (higher is faster). The best value options appear in the upper-left area — fast and cheap. Hover over any dot to see the carrier name, price, and delivery time.

Cheapest is the lowest-priced option. Fastest has the shortest delivery time. Best Value offers the best balance of low price and fast delivery. These badges help you quickly spot the top picks without comparing every number.

The retail price is what you would pay at full rate without any discount. The discounted price is the lower rate shown by the calculator, which reflects bulk or online pricing savings. The green "Save" badge shows the percentage you save off retail.

Yes. Click Imperial (lb / in) or Metric (kg / cm) at the top of the calculator. All weight and dimension fields will convert automatically when you switch, so you don't have to re-enter anything.

Yes, slightly. Weekend ship dates add a small surcharge (about 8%) to the base rate because fewer carrier routes run on Saturdays and Sundays. Shipping on a weekday is usually a little cheaper.

Use the filter chips below the results. Click a carrier name like USPS or FedEx to show only that carrier. Click a pickup type like Drop-Off, Free Pickup, or Paid Pickup to filter by how you plan to hand off the package. Click the chip again to remove the filter.

Set a Deliver By date to hide any carrier option that would arrive after that date. This is helpful when you need your package to arrive before a deadline, like a birthday or holiday. Only options with an estimated arrival on or before that date will show.

The tracking dots show how detailed a carrier's tracking updates are. 5 dots (Excellent) means real-time tracking. 4 dots (Good) means frequent updates. 2–3 dots (Regular) means periodic updates with less detail. More dots means you can follow your package more closely.

No. The prices are estimates. Final costs may change based on actual package measurements at the carrier, extra surcharges, fuel adjustments, and fees applied at the time of booking. Use these estimates to compare options and plan your budget.

Presets are common box sizes offered by carriers, like a Padded Envelope, Small Box, or 25 kg Box. Click a preset to auto-fill the length, width, and height fields. This saves time if you are using a standard carrier-supplied box instead of your own packaging.

Yes. The calculator works for both personal and business shipments. Use Full Quote mode to add multiple parcels, enter customs details for international orders, and compare commercial rates across all four carriers. It is helpful for small businesses, online sellers, and anyone who ships regularly.

Most carriers have a maximum weight limit of 150 pounds per package. If your shipment is heavier, you will need to split it into multiple boxes or use a freight service. The calculator supports up to 10 parcels in Full Quote mode to help you split heavy shipments.

Select Postcard as the package type. The calculator will apply letter-rate pricing. Keep in mind that postcards and letters must have a declared value of $0.00 and cannot include items of commercial value.