.usps-calculator-container {
font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;
max-width: 800px;
margin: 0 auto;
background: #fff;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 8px;
box-shadow: 0 2px 10px rgba(0,0,0,0.1);
}
.usps-calc-header {
text-align: center;
margin-bottom: 30px;
background: #004B87; /* USPS Blue */
color: white;
padding: 20px;
border-radius: 6px;
}
.usps-calc-header h2 {
margin: 0;
font-size: 24px;
}
.usps-form-group {
margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.usps-form-group label {
display: block;
font-weight: 600;
margin-bottom: 8px;
color: #333;
}
.usps-form-group select,
.usps-form-group input {
width: 100%;
padding: 12px;
border: 1px solid #ddd;
border-radius: 4px;
font-size: 16px;
box-sizing: border-box;
}
.usps-form-group input:focus,
.usps-form-group select:focus {
border-color: #004B87;
outline: none;
}
.usps-row {
display: flex;
gap: 20px;
flex-wrap: wrap;
}
.usps-col {
flex: 1;
min-width: 250px;
}
.usps-btn {
background: #333366;
color: white;
border: none;
padding: 15px 30px;
font-size: 18px;
font-weight: bold;
border-radius: 4px;
cursor: pointer;
width: 100%;
transition: background 0.3s;
}
.usps-btn:hover {
background: #004B87;
}
.usps-result {
margin-top: 30px;
padding: 20px;
background: #f8f9fa;
border: 1px solid #e9ecef;
border-radius: 6px;
display: none;
}
.usps-result h3 {
margin-top: 0;
color: #004B87;
}
.cost-display {
font-size: 32px;
font-weight: bold;
color: #28a745;
}
.cost-details {
margin-top: 10px;
font-size: 14px;
color: #666;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.usps-info-box {
margin-top: 40px;
border-top: 2px solid #eee;
padding-top: 20px;
}
.usps-info-box h3 {
color: #333;
}
.usps-info-box p, .usps-info-box ul {
color: #555;
line-height: 1.6;
}
.usps-info-box li {
margin-bottom: 10px;
}
.hidden-input {
display: none;
}
function toggleInputs() {
var type = document.getElementById('mailType').value;
var weightContainer = document.getElementById('weightContainer');
var zoneContainer = document.getElementById('zoneContainer');
// Logic to show/hide weight and zone inputs based on selection
if (type.indexOf('priority_') !== -1 || type === 'postcard') {
// Flat rates don't need user weight/zone inputs for price calculation (up to 70lbs assumed)
weightContainer.style.display = 'none';
zoneContainer.style.display = 'none';
} else if (type === 'package') {
weightContainer.style.display = 'block';
zoneContainer.style.display = 'block'; // Packages need zones
} else {
// Letters and Flats need weight but not zones
weightContainer.style.display = 'block';
zoneContainer.style.display = 'none';
}
}
function calculatePostage() {
var type = document.getElementById('mailType').value;
var weightInput = document.getElementById('weightValue').value;
var weight = parseFloat(weightInput);
var zone = parseInt(document.getElementById('shippingZone').value);
var cost = 0;
var details = "";
var valid = true;
// Base Rates July 2024
var letterBase = 0.73;
var letterExtra = 0.28;
var flatBase = 1.50;
var flatExtra = 0.28;
var postcardRate = 0.56;
// Priority Flat Rates (Retail estimates)
var rates = {
'priority_flat_env': 9.85,
'priority_flat_legal': 10.15,
'priority_small_box': 10.40,
'priority_med_box': 18.40,
'priority_lg_box': 24.75
};
if (type.indexOf('priority_') !== -1) {
cost = rates[type];
details = "Flat Rate pricing (up to 70 lbs). Includes tracking and insurance.";
}
else if (type === 'postcard') {
cost = postcardRate;
details = "Standard Postcard rate (max size 6 x 4.25 inches).";
}
else {
// For types needing weight
if (isNaN(weight) || weight 3.5) {
cost = 0;
details = "Error: Letters over 3.5 oz are considered Large Envelopes (Flats). Please select 'Large Envelope' from the menu.";
valid = false;
} else {
// 1st oz is base, ceil(weight)-1 are extra ounces
// Example: 1.1 oz counts as 2 oz
var chargeableOz = Math.ceil(weight);
var extraOz = chargeableOz – 1;
cost = letterBase + (extraOz * letterExtra);
details = "First-Class Mail Letter.Base (1 oz): $" + letterBase.toFixed(2) + "Additional Ounces: " + extraOz + " x $" + letterExtra.toFixed(2);
}
}
else if (type === 'flat') {
if (weight > 13) {
cost = 0;
details = "Error: Large Envelopes over 13 oz are considered Packages. Please select 'Package' from the menu.";
valid = false;
} else {
var chargeableOz = Math.ceil(weight);
var extraOz = chargeableOz – 1;
cost = flatBase + (extraOz * flatExtra);
details = "First-Class Mail Large Envelope (Flat).Base (1 oz): $" + flatBase.toFixed(2) + "Additional Ounces: " + extraOz + " x $" + flatExtra.toFixed(2);
}
}
else if (type === 'package') {
// Ground Advantage Retail – Simplified Matrix (2024 Retail Estimates)
// Matrix rows: [4oz, 8oz, 12oz, 15.9oz, 2lb, 3lb]
// Using approximations for Zones 1, 3, 5, 8
var pkgWeight = weight;
var tier = 0; // 0=4oz, 1=8oz, 2=12oz, 3=15.9oz, 4=1lb+
if (pkgWeight <= 4) tier = 0;
else if (pkgWeight <= 8) tier = 1;
else if (pkgWeight <= 12) tier = 2;
else if (pkgWeight < 16) tier = 3;
else tier = 4; // 1lb+
// Simplified Rate Table [Zone 1, Zone 8] approx
// prices are illustrative of retail ground advantage 2024
var basePrices = [
// 4oz
{z1: 5.00, z8: 5.85},
// 8oz
{z1: 5.70, z8: 6.60},
// 12oz
{z1: 6.50, z8: 7.75},
// 15.9oz
{z1: 7.80, z8: 9.25},
];
// Logic for heavier items (lbs)
var lbs = Math.ceil(weight / 16);
if (tier < 4) {
// Under 1 lb
var pMin = basePrices[tier].z1;
var pMax = basePrices[tier].z8;
// Linear interpolate roughly based on zone input (1 to 8)
var zoneFactor = (zone – 1) / 7; // 0 to 1
if (zoneFactor 1) zoneFactor = 1;
cost = pMin + ((pMax – pMin) * zoneFactor);
details = "USPS Ground Advantage (Retail).Weight Tier: Up to " + (tier === 3 ? "15.9" : (tier+1)*4) + " oz.Zone: " + zone;
} else {
// Over 1 lb – Simple formula approximation
// Zone 1 start ~$9.00 + $2/lb
// Zone 8 start ~$14.00 + $5/lb
var z1_lb = 8.50 + (lbs * 1.50);
var z8_lb = 12.00 + (lbs * 4.50);
var zoneFactor = (zone – 1) / 7;
cost = z1_lb + ((z8_lb – z1_lb) * zoneFactor);
details = "USPS Ground Advantage (Retail).Weight: " + lbs + " lbs (rounded up).Zone: " + zone + "Note: Heavy packages vary significantly by exact dimensions.";
}
}
}
var resultBox = document.getElementById('calcResult');
var costDisplay = document.getElementById('totalCost');
var breakdownDisplay = document.getElementById('costBreakdown');
if (valid) {
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
costDisplay.innerHTML = "$" + cost.toFixed(2);
breakdownDisplay.innerHTML = details;
} else {
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
costDisplay.innerHTML = "—";
breakdownDisplay.innerHTML = "" + details + "";
}
}
// Initialize view
toggleInputs();
US Postal Rates Calculator (2024 Estimates)
Calculate postage for Letters, Envelopes, and Packages
Letter (Standard Envelope)
Postcard
Large Envelope (Flat)
Package (Ground Advantage)
Priority Mail – Flat Rate Envelope
Priority Mail – Legal Flat Rate Envelope
Priority Mail – Small Flat Rate Box
Priority Mail – Medium Flat Rate Box
Priority Mail – Large Flat Rate Box
16 oz = 1 lb
Local / Close (Zone 1-2)
Zone 3 (Up to 300 miles)
Zone 4 (Up to 600 miles)
Zone 5 (Up to 1000 miles)
Zone 6 (Up to 1400 miles)
Zone 7 (Up to 1800 miles)
Zone 8 (Far / Cross Country)
Estimated Postage Cost
$0.00
How US Postal Rates Work (2024 Guide)
Understanding postage rates can be confusing with the various service levels, weight limits, and zone-based pricing used by the United States Postal Service (USPS). This calculator estimates costs based on the standard retail rates effective July 2024.
1. First-Class Mail (Letters & Postcards)
First-Class Mail is the most common way to send standard envelopes and greeting cards.
- Standard Letters: The rate for a 1 oz letter is currently $0.73. Each additional ounce costs $0.28.
- Weight Limit: Letters cannot exceed 3.5 ounces. If a letter is heavier than 3.5 oz, it is classified as a Large Envelope (Flat).
- Postcards: A standardized rectangular postcard costs $0.56 to mail domestically.
2. Large Envelopes (Flats)
If you are mailing legal documents, manuscripts, or thick stacks of paper in a large envelope (like a 9×12 Manila envelope), it is classified as a "Flat".
- Base Rate: Starts at $1.50 for the first ounce.
- Additional Weight: Adds $0.28 for each additional ounce.
- Requirements: Must be flexible, uniformly thick, and rectangular. Maximum weight is 13 ounces.
3. USPS Ground Advantage (Packages)
Formerly "First-Class Package Service" and "Retail Ground," these have been consolidated into USPS Ground Advantage. Pricing is based on two factors:
- Weight: Rounded up to the nearest 4 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, or pound.
- Zone (Distance): The further the package travels, the higher the cost. Zones range from 1 (Local) to 9 (US Territories).
4. Priority Mail Flat Rate
Flat Rate allows you to ship packages up to 70 lbs for a single price, regardless of destination zone, provided the item fits in the official USPS Flat Rate packaging.
- Flat Rate Envelope: ~$9.85
- Small Box: ~$10.40
- Medium Box: ~$18.40
- Large Box: ~$24.75
Note: Rates are subject to change by the USPS. This calculator uses retail rates effective July 2024. Always weigh your item at the post office for the final exact price.