How to Calculate the Postal Service's Shipping Costs

Save time by calculating postal cost online.

Postage fees can be expensive, so when you go to the post office to mail a package, you don't want to get caught off guard. Before you mail a package, you can calculate the postage costs using the USPS online postage calculator and even print postage online. You only need a few tools to calculate the postal service's shipping costs.

Things You'll Need

• Scale
• Printer (optional)

Instructions

1. Secure the items to be shipped in a box or envelope, including all packaging materials such as bubble wrap or packing peanuts. If you don't include the packing materials, you cannot calculate the shipping weight correctly.

2. Weigh the package to the nearest ounce. If you don't have a postage scale, hold the package while standing on a bathroom scale, then weigh yourself alone. Subtract your weight from your weight plus the package to determine the weight of the package.

3. Visit the USPS online postage calculator (see Resources). Click "Calculate Domestic Postage" or "Calculate International Postage," depending on where your package is headed.

4. Enter the necessary information about your package, including destination zip code, shape and weight. Click "Continue."

5. Select a shipping method. Different shipping methods have different costs and delivery times and might have restrictions; for example, you can only use Media Mail for books, music and other media.

Tips & Warnings

• If you want to print postage online, you will need a USPS online account and the free program Adobe Acrobat Reader. To print postage, click the radio button next to your postage selection, then click "Print Postage" and follow the instructions.

References

• USPS: Print Shipping Labels

Resources

• USPS: Calculate Postage