How to Get a Tracking Number from USPS & Other Carriers

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Plus, find the tracking info for a package you're receiving
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Tracking a piece of mail gives both the person sending it and the one receiving it the peace of mind that it's on its way to being delivered. If you're not sure how to get a tracking number, we're here to help! Keep reading to find out where to find tracking information as the recipient of a package and how to get a tracking number as a sender . We'll also explain how to use a tracking number to monitor the status of a shipment.

How to Find a Package Tracking Number

If you're sending a package, get a tracking number by mailing it through USPS Ground Advantage or a commercial shipping carrier like UPS, FedEx, or DHS. If you're receiving a package, find the tracking number in your shipping confirmation email or by contacting the seller or sender directly.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Find Tracking Information as a Recipient

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  1. Check your email inbox for a shipping confirmation message from the company sending your item. Scan the body of the email until you see a long string of numbers. Most tracking numbers are between 10 and 30 digits long, and each one is uniquely generated for a specific order. Use your tracking number to keep up with the status of your shipment. [1]
    • Your tracking number may be listed in the email under a heading like "Track This Order" or "Track Your Package."
    • Be aware that you won’t receive a tracking number until the order has actually shipped. If your order is still being processed or there’s a separate handling period, you won’t be able to track it until it’s in the mail. [2]
  2. 2
    Check your order status on the seller's website. If you created an account on the seller's website to place your order, log in to that account with your email address and password. From there, click the Profile button (often located in the upper right corner of the homepage) and find your past orders under your account information. This page should have details about your most recent order, including a tracking number.
    • If you didn't create an account on the seller's website, go to their website anyway and look for a tool that tracks your order status without a customer login. You'll probably need your order number, which you can usually find in an email from the seller in your inbox. The subject line will read something like "Order confirmed," "Order placed," or "Thank you for your order!"
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  3. 3
    Contact the seller directly and ask for tracking information. If you lose the shipping confirmation email or it doesn't contain a tracking number, contact the seller directly. If you ordered an item directly from an online retailer, visit their website and see if they have an option to live chat with a customer service representative. This is usually the quickest way to get results. If they don't, go to their website's Contact page and call the customer service phone number or send an email to the email address listed there.ir
    • No matter what method you use to reach out to the seller, be prepared to provide them with information that will help them find your order. They may, for example, ask you to confirm your first and last name, your email address, your phone number (if you gave it to them), your shipping address, and the date of purchase.
    • If you purchased an item from a third-party seller through a site like eBay or Facebook Marketplace, send them a message or an email and ask them for the tracking number.
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Section 2 of 4:

How to Get a Tracking Number as a Sender

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  1. 1
    Send packages through a commercial shipping carrier like UPS or FedEx. According to shipping and logistics experts Fahim and Seema Mojawalla, commercial shipping carriers in the United States automatically provide customers with tracking numbers for any packages they send. Rates between USPS and individual commercial carriers vary, so do your research ahead of time to find out which one will give you the best price.
    • For example, USPS usually offers cheaper shipping rates for small packages than UPS, but UPS is better for large, heavy packages. [3]
    • The most popular commercial carriers in the United States are UPS , FedEx , and DHL .
  2. 2
    Send packages through USPS using Ground Advantage. If you want to send a large envelope (called a flat) or a package through the United States Postal Service (USPS), Seema Mojawalla recommends choosing Ground Advantage shipping at checkout. This service provides you with a tracking number on your postage receipt and status updates as the package makes its way to its destination.
    • How long does it take to ship using Ground Advantage? Ground Advantage packages are typically delivered within 2-5 business days.
    • How much does Ground Advantage cost? The cost to ship your item will vary depending on the package's weight and size.
    • Priority Mail, Certified Mail, and Registered Mail also come with a free tracking number on your receipt.
  3. 3
    Print USPS tracking labels for bulk shipments. If you're planning on sending out a lot of packages for your business or other purposes, create a USPS account and print your own tracking labels through USPS. The labels come with a tracking sticker for your package and a receipt with the tracking number on it. Keep the receipt, so you can share it with your customers or track it yourself to confirm delivery. You can also find tracking information for your packages by logging into your USPS account. [4]
    • How much do USPS tracking labels cost? USPS offers tracking labels for free for certain types of shipments, including Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Certified Mail, and Registered Mail.
    • Tracking for First Class Mail costs extra unless you're already adding a secondary service like insurance or a Signature Confirmation.
  4. 4
    Purchase insurance or a confirmation signature for your USPS mail. These extra services automatically come with a tracking number on your postage receipt. For expensive goods or checks worth up to $5000, purchase insurance to ensure that if they're damaged or lost in transit , you'll be reimbursed for their value. Alternatively, if you just want to make sure the recipient receives the item, buy a Signature Confirmation add-on. Then, when the postal service worker delivers the letter or package, they'll make sure the recipient signs for it to confirm they received it. [5]
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Track a Package with a Tracking Number

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  1. At the top of your shipping confirmation or receipt, you should see the name of the delivery service used by the seller. Enter the URL of the company’s website into your browser, or try clicking the link in the logo of the email to be redirected to their site immediately. All shipping-related actions can be managed online.
    • If you’re not sure how to get to the company’s website, run a quick search for them by name. They should be the first link that pops up.
    • On certain search engines, like Google, it's even possible to enter your tracking number directly under the company's link in the search results!
  2. If it's your first time on the shipping company’s website, you may be prompted to specify where you are. Select your continent, then scroll down the list until you find your home country. Clicking your country of origin will take you to the main page, where you can view your tracking history, change your delivery options, or ask a question about your order.
    • You’ll also be able to choose your preferred language if more than one is spoken where you live.
    • Most of the major delivery services handle shipments all over the world, so you should have no problem tracking a shipment no matter where you’re located.
  3. From the homepage, look for a place where you can input your tracking information. In most cases, this will be a link or search bar near the top of the page. The FedEx website, for instance, has a dropdown tab labelled "Tracking" that allows customers to provide a tracking number without having to navigate elsewhere on the site. [6]
    • On the UPS website , a tracking form appears in the "Quick Start" menu as soon as you pull up the main page.
  4. Enter your tracking number exactly as you received it, with no dashes or spaces. You can also copy and paste it directly from the shipping confirmation email (if you received one) to save time. You’ll then be shown your package’s shipping status, as well as its current location and expected delivery date. It's that simple!
    • On most shipping carrier websites, it’s possible to look up 20-30 tracking numbers at once. [7]
    • If no results are produced or you get an error message, double-check that the number you provided was correct.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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  1. 1
    What does my tracking number look like? A tracking number is between 10 and 30 digits long and may contain both letters and numbers or just numbers. The length depends on the shipping service or carrier handling the package.
  2. 2
    Are tracking numbers free? Tracking numbers are available for free for packages shipped through a commercial shipping carrier (i.e., UPS, FedEx, or DHL) or using USPS Ground Advantage, Priority Mail, Certified Mail, or Registered Mail. They also come with extra USPS services such as insurance and Signature Confirmation. If you're shipping First Class, tracking information is an extra cost.
  3. 3
    Can I track a USPS package without a tracking number? No, you must have a tracking number to track an item shipped through USPS .
  4. 4
    Can I get a tracking number for a letter mailed through USPS? Yes! Get a tracking number by upgrading your letter to Priority, Certified, or Registered mail, purchasing insurance on it, or adding a Signature Confirmation service.
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  • Question
    Can I track certified mail?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No. USPS offers tracking service only for Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express.
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  • Question
    How do I find a tracking number if I deleted the email?
    Community Answer
    Go to your trash folder in your email account and recover the email there.
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      • Not all tracking numbers follow the same format. Some may contain letters as well as numbers.
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      • Consider creating a user account on the shipping company’s website so you can save your tracking results and access them faster later on.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.mailcharts.com/email-examples/687/shipping-confirmation
      2. ↑ https://www.ship24.com/help/tracking-number-and-order-number-difference
      3. ↑ https://www.parcelmonkey.com/blog/ups-vs-usps
      4. ↑ https://faq.usps.com/s/article/USPS-Tracking-The-Basics
      5. ↑ https://www.usps.com/ship/insurance-extra-services.htm
      6. ↑ https://www.fedex.com/en-us/tracking.html
      7. ↑ https://www.ups.com/track?loc=en_US&requester=ST/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      If you want to get a tracking number for something you bought in person, scan the receipt for a number that's 10-30 digits long. Once you’ve found it, go to the shipping company’s website and type the number into the website's tracking form. If you bought the item online, the sender should send you a shipping confirmation email with the tracking number in it. If the number is blue, you can click it and it will take you straight to the tracking page. If you can't find your tracking number, read on for tips on who to call!

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