What you need
The packed box's length, width, and height in inches, its weight in pounds, and the two ZIP codes. With no scale to hand, describe what is inside instead and the calculator will estimate the packed size and weight from that.
Box shipping
Box shipping cost calculator
Already know your box size and weight? Type the dimensions and the weight straight in, then compare live USPS, UPS, and FedEx prices for your exact route. One all-in figure per service, labels bought online.
Live parcel ratesNo account neededTracking included
Enter the box once, compare every major carrier
Length, width, height, weight, two ZIP codes. That's the whole form.
Why size matters as much as weight
Billing takes whichever is greater, the scale reading or length × width × height ÷ a carrier divisor. A large light box frequently costs more than a small heavy one, so entering real measurements is how you avoid both overpaying and a price correction after delivery.
What moves the price
Route distance and zone, delivery speed, residential against commercial delivery, and the final packed size and weight. One box can price very differently from lane to lane, which is why the calculator works from your actual route with live carrier rates.
Box shipping: common questions
What is the cheapest way to ship a box in the U.S.?
Under 5 lb, USPS Ground Advantage bought online at commercial rates is usually cheapest. Past one cubic foot, or above roughly 15 lb, UPS and FedEx ground services often take over. Labels bought online run 20-40% below walk-up counter prices for the same service.
How do I measure a box for shipping?
Measure after the box is packed and taped: longest side as length, then width and height, all in inches. Round every figure up to the next inch and the weight up to the next pound, since carriers round up too and an understated parcel gets corrected after delivery.
What is dimensional weight?
Length × width × height in inches divided by a carrier divisor, typically 139. When that result exceeds the scale weight, the carrier charges the dimensional figure instead. An 18 × 14 × 12 in box, for instance, bills at 22 lb even when it weighs 6 lb.
Can I get a price without knowing the weight?
Yes. Type a plain description of the contents instead of numbers, along the lines of ten winter jackets or a toaster in its retail box, and the calculator estimates the packed size and weight for you to adjust before buying the label.