Cheapest Way to Ship a Package in 2026 (With Calculator)
Compare USPS, UPS & FedEx to find the cheapest shipping option for your package. Real rates by weight, size, and destination.
Last updated - 2 min read
There's no single cheapest carrier. It changes based on your package weight and where it's going.
By weight - who wins
- Under 1 lb:USPS wins. Don't overthink it. Rates start around $4-5.
- 1-5 lbs: Compare everything. USPS Ground Advantage, UPS Ground Saver, and FedEx SmartPost are all competitive. The cheapest changes by route.
- 5-20 lbs: UPS Ground usually wins. USPS gets expensive above 5 lbs. UPS stays flat and includes $100 free insurance.
- Over 20 lbs:UPS or FedEx Ground. USPS isn't designed for heavy packages and their pricing shows it.
Real example - 5 lbs, Texas to New York
| Carrier | Price | Delivery |
|---|---|---|
| UPS Ground | ~$14-17 | 3 days |
| USPS Priority Mail | ~$16-20 | 1-3 days |
| FedEx Ground | ~$16-20 | 3 days |
At this weight, UPS is cheapest AND includes insurance.
Other ways to save
Use the smallest box possible - carriers charge for both weight and dimensions. Ship from home instead of the post office or UPS Store. Compare flat rate vs regular pricing for heavy, small items.
The only way to know the cheapest rate for YOUR package is to compare all carriers at once.
Try for free.
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Last 30 days
Labels purchased
Address book
Saved recipients
On their way
4Last 30 days
38Recent labels
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Lila Chen
$7.42
Ground Advantage®
In Transit
Marcus Patel
$11.18
Ground®
Delivered
Aiko Tanaka
$22.91
Express Saver®
Label Created
| Recipient | Service | Status | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
Lila Chen Portland, OR · 2h ago | Ground Advantage® 9400 1112 0200 8321 4455 | In Transit | $7.42 |
Marcus Patel Brooklyn, NY · 5h ago | Ground® 1Z 999 AA1 01 2345 6788 | Delivered | $11.18 |
Aiko Tanaka Austin, TX · 1d ago | Express Saver® 7712 4409 8830 | Label Created | $22.91 |