Affordable Shipping is a plain-language reference for small business owners and everyday senders who want to know exactly what they should be paying to ship a package — and why carriers charge what they charge.
You ship every day and every cent of margin matters. We break down carrier rates, negotiated pricing, and software that actually saves money.
Moving, gifts, resale — get a straight answer on what a package should cost without learning an entire industry.
Dimensional weight, surcharges, and zone pricing are confusing by design. We explain them plainly, with sources.
A side-by-side breakdown by weight class, so you stop guessing which carrier is cheapest for a given box.
Read the guide →The formula carriers use to charge for space, not just weight — and how to avoid paying for air.
Read the guide →Enter a package's dimensions and weight to see its billable weight and how it compares across carriers — the same math carriers use to bill you.
Open the Calculator →| Carrier | Billable Wt. |
|---|---|
| USPS Ground Advantage | 13 lb |
| UPS Ground | 13 lb |
| FedEx Ground | 13 lb |
14″×12″×10″ box, 5 lb actual weight — all three carriers now use the same 139 divisor as of July 2026.