USPS tracking service is the free scan-based tracking that USPS includes with most domestic packages, including Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Media Mail. You can follow a package with its tracking number on usps.com, in the USPS Mobile app, by text message at 28777, by phone, or through email and text alerts. First-Class Mail letters, flats and postcards aren’t tracked unless you add an extra service such as Certified Mail.
This guide covers how the service works and every way to use it. If a specific number is giving you an error, see our page on a USPS tracking number not working instead.
How Does USPS Tracking Service Work?
Every trackable USPS item carries a barcode tied to a unique tracking number. Each time the item is scanned, at acceptance, at processing plants, at the delivery unit and at the door, USPS adds an event with a date, time and location to that number’s record. The tracking page simply shows those events in order.
Because tracking depends on scans, it isn’t a live GPS feed. A package can travel hundreds of miles between two events, and gaps of a day or more are normal on longer trips. Our explainer on whether USPS has live tracking goes into what the delivery map can and can’t show.
A typical domestic package shows these events:
- Label created or pre-shipment information sent to USPS
- Accepted at a Post Office, picked up, or arrived at the first processing facility
- Departed and arrived at regional processing facilities, or “In Transit to Next Facility”
- Arrived at the local Post Office
- Out for Delivery
- Delivered, with the location where it was left, or a notice left if no one was available
Which USPS Services Include Tracking?
USPS includes tracking at no extra charge on all eligible products except USPS Marketing Mail, according to the Domestic Mail Manual. Letters and flats sent First-Class Mail aren’t eligible on their own, which is why Certified Mail is the usual way to get proof of mailing and delivery for a letter.
| Service | USPS delivery range | Tracking included |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Mail Express | 1–3 days, with a money-back guarantee | Yes |
| Priority Mail | 2–3 days (expected, not guaranteed) | Yes |
| USPS Ground Advantage | 2–5 days | Yes |
| Media Mail | 2–8 days | Yes |
| First-Class Mail letters, flats and postcards | 1–5 days | No, unless an extra service is added |
| Priority Mail International and Priority Mail Express International | Varies by country | Yes, with limits in some destinations |
For how long Priority Mail usually takes from origin to door, see how long Priority Mail takes. International tracking depends on the destination postal service once a package leaves the US, which our guide to USPS tracking international explains.
What Are the Ways to Use USPS Tracking?
All official channels read the same USPS tracking record, so the status is identical whichever you use. Pick the one that fits how you want to be notified.
| Channel | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| USPS.com tracking | Enter one number, or up to 35 separated by commas | Detailed history and delivery map |
| USPS Mobile app | Scan or type the number; save packages | Checking on the go |
| Text tracking | Text the number to 28777 (2USPS) | A quick status without a browser |
| Text and email alerts | Request updates on the tracking results page | Hearing about the next scan automatically |
| Informed Delivery | Free dashboard of mail and packages addressed to you | Recipients who don’t have the number |
| Phone | Automated USPS tracking line at 1-800-222-1811 | Callers without internet access |
Our USPS tracking ID guide shows where the number is printed on labels and receipts.
Where Do You Find the Tracking Number?
Senders find the number on the Post Office receipt, under the barcode on the label, or in their online label history. Recipients usually get it in the retailer’s shipping email. If you only have the paper receipt, our page on finding the USPS tracking number on a receipt shows which line to read.
Most domestic USPS tracking numbers are 20 to 22 digits and start with 9. International numbers are 13 characters, ending in “US.” A number that starts with “1Z” is a UPS number and won’t work on usps.com.
How Often Does USPS Tracking Update?
USPS adds an event each time the barcode is scanned, so updates follow the package’s physical path rather than a fixed schedule. Expect several updates a day while a package moves through processing plants, then long quiet stretches on trucks or planes between them.
A label can show “created” for a day or more before USPS has the package. If the record shows nothing at all, see what “USPS tracking is not available” means. If the last scan is days old, our guides to USPS tracking not updating and USPS tracking not updating after drop off cover the next steps.
How Long Does USPS Keep Tracking Records?
Standard USPS tracking records stay available for 120 days. Records for some extra services last longer, which matters if you may need proof of delivery for a dispute or a claim.
| Service | Record kept for |
|---|---|
| USPS Tracking (standard) | 120 days |
| Signature Confirmation | 1 year |
| Priority Mail Express, Certified Mail, Registered Mail, Adult Signature | 2 years |
| USPS Tracking Plus | Extended retention you choose, up to 10 years |
USPS Tracking Plus is a paid add-on that asks USPS to keep scan data, or scan and signature data, beyond the standard period. It’s available for Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage, Media Mail and other package products, and the signature version needs an underlying signature service except on Priority Mail Express. Our page on what USPS tracking costs explains which tracking is free and which extra services aren’t.
What Can You Do From the Tracking Page?
Besides watching the status, the tracking results page links to several delivery tools. Which ones appear depends on the service and how far the package has traveled.
- Text and email updates for the next event or every event.
- Redelivery if a carrier left a notice because a signature was needed or no one was home.
- Package Intercept, which lets the sender ask USPS to redirect or hold a package before it is out for delivery.
- Delivery instructions for Informed Delivery users, such as where to leave a package.
- Help requests and Missing Mail searches when a package stops moving; a Missing Mail search can be submitted from 7 days after mailing.
Is USPS Tracking Service Different From UPS or FedEx Tracking?
Each carrier tracks only its own packages, so a UPS or FedEx number won’t return results on usps.com. All three use scan-based events, delivery alerts and mobile apps, and the main differences are in delivery options rather than in the tracking itself.
If you ship regularly and want both USPS and UPS options in one place, ParcelPath prints labels for both carriers, and every label includes that carrier’s standard tracking. ParcelPath is free, with no subscription or per-label fee, and offers up to 89% off USPS and up to 85% off UPS. Compare both for a specific package in the ParcelPath rate calculator, or see our eCommerce shipping guide for online sellers.
How Can Senders Get the Most From USPS Tracking?
Good tracking starts before the package leaves. A few habits keep scans on time and records easy to find.
- Place the label flat on the largest side, away from seams, with a crisp barcode.
- Hand packages to a Post Office counter or a scheduled pickup when you need a same-day acceptance scan.
- Send recipients the full tracking number or a direct tracking link.
- Save receipts and screenshots of the delivered status, especially for anything valuable.
- Add Signature Confirmation or Certified Mail when you need proof of who received it.
Businesses that answer customer questions about orders can use tracking data to cut down on “where is my package” inquiries; our glossary entry on customer support covers how shipping teams handle them, and our overview of package tracking services compares tracking across carriers. For every USPS tracking topic in one place, start with our USPS tracking guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is USPS tracking service free?
Yes, for most packages. USPS includes tracking at no extra charge on eligible products such as Priority Mail Express, Priority Mail, USPS Ground Advantage and Media Mail. First-Class Mail letters and flats aren’t tracked unless you add an extra service like Certified Mail, and USPS Tracking Plus is a paid add-on for longer record retention.
What are the ways to track a USPS package?
You can use the USPS tracking service on usps.com, in the USPS Mobile app, by texting the tracking number to 28777, or by calling the automated tracking line at 1-800-222-1811. You can also request text or email alerts, and Informed Delivery shows packages addressed to you.
How many USPS tracking numbers can I check at once?
The USPS tracking tool on usps.com accepts up to 35 tracking numbers in a single search, separated by commas. Each number gets its own results panel with its latest status and scan history. If the search fails, check each number for typos one at a time.
How long does USPS keep tracking history?
USPS keeps standard tracking records for 120 days. Signature Confirmation records last one year, and Priority Mail Express, Certified Mail, Registered Mail and Adult Signature records last two years. USPS Tracking Plus can extend retention for up to 10 years for eligible packages.
Sources
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 503: Extra Services (USPS Tracking)
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 507: Mailer Services (USPS Tracking Plus)
- USPS FAQ: USPS Tracking, The Basics
- USPS: Mail and Shipping Services
- USPS: Contact Us (tracking line)
Part of our USPS Tracking guide. Related: USPS Tracking, USPS Tracking Not Updating, USPS Tracking Not Updating After Drop Off.
