Updated June 17, 2026
Compare carrier rates for your package
Enter weight and dimensions for side-by-side ballpark rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.
For packages under 1 pound, USPS First Class is usually the cheapest option by a clear margin. For packages 1 to 5 pounds going to a distant zone, USPS Priority Mail is often competitive. Above 5 to 10 pounds, especially at zone 6 or higher, UPS and FedEx Ground rates frequently come in below USPS Priority Mail. The answer to "which carrier is cheapest" is, reliably, "it depends on this specific package."
USPS strengths
- Flat rate boxes: ship anything that fits, regardless of weight, at a fixed price. Good for dense, heavy items going far.
- First Class: cheapest option for packages under 1 pound.
- Delivers to every U.S. address, including PO Boxes and APO/FPO military addresses.
- No residential surcharge, unlike UPS and FedEx.
UPS strengths
- Ground rates competitive for packages 5+ lbs at most zones.
- Strong tracking and guaranteed delivery windows.
- Better for commercial-to-commercial shipments where residential surcharges do not apply.
- Pickup options and a large network of drop-off locations.
FedEx strengths
- FedEx Ground competes closely with UPS on mid-weight packages.
- One Rate flat-rate program for certain package types, similar to USPS flat rate.
- FedEx Home Delivery covers residential addresses with Saturday service as standard.
- Strong overnight and time-definite express options.
When to compare all three
Any time the package is between 2 and 15 lbs and going more than 3 zones, a quick comparison is worth the 60 seconds it takes. Rate structures shift with weekly fuel surcharges, and the cheapest carrier for a given weight and zone can flip from week to week. Run the estimator before buying a label.
Compare carrier rates for your package
Enter weight and dimensions for side-by-side ballpark rates from USPS, UPS, and FedEx.