Shipping Zone Calculator
Estimate the shipping zone between any two US ZIP codes or states for UPS, FedEx, and USPS. Zones determine how much you pay for ground shipping - and how long it takes.
What Is a Shipping Zone?
A shipping zone is a number that represents the distance between a shipment origin ZIP code and a destination ZIP code. UPS, FedEx, and USPS all use zone-based pricing for domestic packages - the further the package travels, the higher the zone number and the higher the rate. UPS and FedEx use zones 2-8 for domestic packages (zone 1 is same-city). USPS uses zones 1-8, starting at zone 1 for local.
Shipping Zone Reference Table
| Zone | Approx. Distance | Ground Transit (UPS/FedEx) | Cost vs Zone 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 2 | Local (0-150 mi) | 1 business day | baseline |
| Zone 3 | Regional (151-300 mi) | 2 business days | ~5% more than zone 2 |
| Zone 4 | Short Distance (301-600 mi) | 3 business days | ~15% more than zone 2 |
| Zone 5 | Mid-Distance (601-1,000 mi) | 4 business days | ~25% more than zone 2 |
| Zone 6 | Long Distance (1,001-1,400 mi) | 5 business days | ~40% more than zone 2 |
| Zone 7 | Long Distance (1,401-1,800 mi) | 5 business days | ~55% more than zone 2 |
| Zone 8 | Cross-Country (1,800+ mi) | 5 business days | ~75% more than zone 2 |
USPS uses zones 1-8 starting at zone 1 for local. Zone 1 (USPS only) = under 50 miles, 2-3 day delivery.
How Zones Are Determined
Zones are not based on state lines. They are calculated from the distance between the origin ZIP code and destination ZIP code in your carrier account. This means the zone from New York City to Newark, NJ is different from New York City to Pittsburgh, PA - even though both are short trips. Your specific origin ZIP matters: two businesses in different parts of the same state will have different zones to the same destination.
This calculator uses a region-based approximation which works well for planning purposes but may be off by one zone in either direction for ZIP codes near region boundaries. For exact zones, always use your carrier's zone chart with your specific origin ZIP.
Why Zones Matter for Shipping Cost
Zones have the biggest cost impact on ground shipping. A 5 lb UPS Ground package at zone 2 runs about $14 at retail. The same package at zone 8 runs about $29 - more than double. For 2-day air the zone impact is smaller, and for overnight services it is smaller still, because air transport costs are more fixed regardless of distance.
For businesses, knowing your typical zone mix is critical for budgeting shipping costs. If most of your customers are in zones 2-4, you will pay far less per shipment than if you sell cross-country to zones 7-8. Choosing a fulfillment center location closer to your customers can significantly reduce average shipping zones and costs.
Use our Shipping Cost Calculator to see actual rate estimates once you know your zone.
How to Look Up Your Exact Zone
- UPS: Use the UPS Daily Rates and Zone Charts - download the zone chart for your origin ZIP to find exact zones.
- FedEx: Use the FedEx Zone Finder - enter origin and destination ZIP codes for an exact zone.
- USPS: Use the USPS Domestic Zone Chart - enter your origin ZIP to get a zone chart for all destinations.
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