About Digital Postal Scales

If you ship regularly from your home or business, having a digital postal scale can save time and money. Once you weigh your item, sign into the U.S. Postal Service or United Parcel Service website and identify the exact postage. Read on to learn more about digital postal scales.

Significance

The 5-pound-capacity digital scale is accurate to within 0.1 percent of the reading. Each time you turn on the scale, it automatically recalibrates, so accuracy does not diminish with age. By using the U.S. Postal Service website to print shipping labels, you receive free delivery confirmation on first-class or Priority Mail. Confirmation comes in the form of a tracking number that you access on the USPS website; it will tell you exactly when your package arrives at its destination. With preprinted shipping labels on your packages, you can submit an Internet request from the USPS website to your local post office for pickup. Your mail carrier will pick up your prepared packages the next day from your door or mailbox.

Types

Digital postal scales are also available in 10-pound and a 330-pound capacities for shipping large packages. Each can switch easily from ounces or pounds to grams or kilograms with the push of a button. The 5-pound scale runs from one 9V battery; the other scales can run from a Star IV power adapter or on three AA batteries.

Features

Each digital postal scale has an automatic turn-off feature that will help extend the life of your batteries. An electronic LCD display makes the numbers easy to read. The minimum weight is 0.1 ounce on the smaller scales and 0.1 pound on the 330-pound model. The largest scale has a detachable LCD screen. The scales are designed to function at normal room temperatures.

Considerations

Digital postal scales work well for weighing more than just packages and envelopes. Their accuracy and quick function allow veterinarians to weigh nervous pets. Breeders may use the smaller scales to record newborn weight and track weight gain of registered pets and reptiles. Meat cutters and delicatessen and produce stores use them to accurately weigh and price their products. Even Pine Wood Derby car builders take advantage of digital postal scales' accuracy to build the perfect 5-ounce racer.

Size

The slim and lightweight designs make postal scales easy to store away when not in use. The small scale weighs just over a pound, is less than 8 inches long and less than 3 inches thick. While the 330-pound postal scale has a large 12-inch surface, its slim design of less than 3 inches makes it easy to store away or take with you for special events.

Resources

• Digital Postal Scales USPS
• USPS Calculate postage with a click
• UPS Calculate Time and Cost