Postage Rate Calculator: USPS Price and Delivery Time
Enter two ZIP codes and the weight to see the USPS Post Office price and the delivery days for each service. Prices come from USPS Notice 123, for the mailing date you pick.
By Hamdi Saidani.
From $0.82
First-Class letter
Up to 70 lbs
Max weight
9 Zones
Distance pricing
Calculate the Price and Delivery Time
Pick what you are sending and add its weight. You get the delivery date and the Post Office price for each USPS service.
Today
Already mailed? Pick the day you mailed it.
Add the weight to see the Post Office price for each service.
No regular USPS delivery on these days
All USPS holidaysReady to Calculate
Enter the two ZIP codes and the mailing date above, then press "Calculate Delivery Time" to see the expected delivery date for each mail class.
USPS Price Chart
Post Office (retail) prices from USPS Notice 123. USPS charges holiday prices for mail sent from October 4, 2026 through January 16, 2027. Labels bought online, for example with USPS Click-N-Ship, get lower Commercial prices.
| Service | Jul 12 - Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 - Jan 16, 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| First-Class Mail letter (1 oz, stamp) | $0.82 | $0.82 |
| First-Class Mail large envelope (1 oz) | $1.69 | $1.69 |
| Ground Advantage (up to 4 oz), from | $7.90 | $8.40 |
| Ground Advantage (1 lb), from | $9.55 | $10.05 |
| Priority Mail (1 lb), from | $11.00 | $11.50 |
| Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope | $12.90 | $13.90 |
| Priority Mail Small Flat Rate Box | $13.65 | $14.65 |
| Priority Mail Medium Flat Rate Box | $24.80 | $25.80 |
| Priority Mail Large Flat Rate Box | $34.00 | $36.10 |
| Priority Mail Express (up to 0.5 lb), from | $35.65 | $37.05 |
| Media Mail (1 lb) | $4.39 | $4.39 |
* A "from" price is the Zone 1 price. Farther zones cost more. USPS has not published prices for mail sent after January 16, 2027 yet.
Priority Mail Flat Rate Options
Flat Rate boxes and envelopes cost the same at any weight up to 70 lbs and to any US address. They can cost less for heavy items going far.
| Box Type | Size (inside) | Jul 12 - Oct 3, 2026 | Oct 4, 2026 - Jan 16, 2027 | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flat Rate Envelope | 12.5" x 9.5" | $12.90 | $13.90 | Documents, thin items |
| Small Flat Rate Box | 8.6" x 5.4" x 1.6" | $13.65 | $14.65 | Small heavy items |
| Medium Flat Rate Box (1) | 11" x 8.5" x 5.5" | $24.80 | $25.80 | Medium packages |
| Medium Flat Rate Box (2) | 13.6" x 11.9" x 3.4" | $24.80 | $25.80 | Flat items |
| Large Flat Rate Box | 12" x 11.75" x 5.5" | $34.00 | $36.10 | Heavy items to far zones |
Understanding USPS Zone Pricing
USPS uses zones 1-9 based on distance from origin. Zone 1 is the closest and Zone 8 the farthest. Zone 9 is only for Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.
Zone-Based Services
- • Priority Mail (retail and Commercial)
- • Ground Advantage (retail and Commercial)
- • Priority Mail Express (retail and Commercial)
Same Price at Any Distance
- • Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes
- • Priority Mail Flat Rate envelopes
- • First-Class Mail (letters)
- • Media Mail (weight-based only)
How to Save Money on USPS Shipping
1. Use Commercial Rates
Buying postage online (usps.com Click-N-Ship or approved online postage services) gets Commercial prices, up to about 45% below Post Office counter rates.
2. Use Flat Rate for Heavy/Far
Shipping something heavy to a far zone? A Flat Rate box can cost less, because its price does not change with weight or distance.
3. Use Ground Advantage for Value
If speed is not critical, Ground Advantage costs less than Priority Mail at every retail weight and zone, and still includes tracking and up to $100 insurance.
4. Right-Size Your Packaging
Boxes larger than 1 cubic foot can be charged by size (dimensional weight). Use the smallest box that safely fits your item.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does USPS calculate shipping rates?
USPS rates are based on package weight, dimensions (dimensional weight for large packages), distance (zones 1-9), and service type. Flat Rate options ignore weight/distance for a single price.
Commercial rates are lower than retail rates.
What is the cheapest USPS shipping option?
A 1 oz letter costs $0.82 with a stamp ($0.78 with a postage meter). For packages, Ground Advantage costs less than Priority Mail at every retail weight and zone.
For books, CDs and DVDs, Media Mail is cheaper still ($4.39 for 1 lb at retail). A Flat Rate box can cost less for heavy items going far.
How do USPS zones affect shipping cost?
USPS prices by zone, 1 to 9, based on distance from origin. Zone 1 is the closest and cheapest, and Zone 8 the farthest. Zone 9 is only for Palau, Micronesia and the Marshall Islands.
Farther zones cost more, except that Ground Advantage costs the same in Zones 8 and 9. Flat Rate ignores zones.
Are USPS Commercial rates available to everyone?
Yes. Anyone who prints a Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail or Ground Advantage label online with USPS Click-N-Ship gets Commercial prices, and letters printed by a postage meter get the lower metered price.
At the July 12, 2026 prices Commercial prices can be up to about 45% cheaper than retail counter prices, depending on service, weight and zone.
Do USPS prices change during the holidays?
Yes. For mail sent from October 4, 2026 through January 16, 2027, USPS charges temporary holiday prices for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail and Ground Advantage. First-Class Mail and Media Mail prices do not change.
The calculator above uses the prices for the mailing date you pick.