How to Find a USPS Tracking Number

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Last Updated: September 7, 2022 Fact Checked

Locating a USPS tracking number is easy, as long as you know where to look and what exactly you're looking for. Once you find your USPS tracking number, you can use the internet form on USPS.com or contact the United States Postal Service by phone. With a tracking number, you can effectively locate your package.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Locating Your Tracking Number

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When you visit the post office in person and mail your package at the counter, they will give you a receipt for your purchase. You can find your USPS tracking number printed at the bottom of your sales receipt.^{[1]
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If your package was valued at more than $50 USD, you may have purchased additional shipping insurance. If so, you would have received an additional receipt for this. Your USPS tracking number can be found at the bottom of your insurance receipt.^{[2]
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If you shipped your package using USPS.com, you should have received an email confirmation. Contained within this email, you can find your tracking number.^{[3]
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Check your email for a shipping confirmation from an online retailer. If you made a purchase through an online retailer, and they shipped your package with the United States Postal Service, they should have emailed you a shipping confirmation. Within this email, you should be able to find your tracking number.^{[4]
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- If you did not receive a confirmation email, you may want to contact the retailer directly.
When you ship a package in person at the post office, the clerk will peel off a sticker with a barcode and paste it onto your package. They will then hand you the bottom portion of that peel-off label. This will have your USPS tracking number at the bottom.^{[5]
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If you were not home to receive a package, you should find an orange slip in your mailbox or attached to your front door. This orange slip will include info about how to retrieve your package. On the back of this orange slip, you can find your USPS tracking number.^{[6]
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Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Tracking a Package

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Jot down your tracking number. Write your tracking number down in a safe place. Depending on the type of shipping that was used, a tracking number can look a little bit different.^{[7]
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Research source} Here is a list of USPS services offered and sample tracking numbers for each:
- USPS Tracking - 9400 1000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Priority Mail - 9205 5000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Certified Mail - 9407 3000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Collect On Delivery Hold For Pickup - 9303 3000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Global Express Guaranteed - 82 000 000 00
- Priority Mail Express International - EC 000 000 000 US
- Priority Mail Express - 9270 1000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Priority Mail International - CP 000 000 000 US
- Registered Mail - 9208 8000 0000 0000 0000 00
- Signature Confirmation - 9202 1000 0000 0000 0000 00
Go to https://www.usps.com/, manually enter your tracking number in the space provided, and click “Track Package.” A new page will open providing information about when and where you package was sent, where it is now, and when it will be delivered.^{[8]
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Call the USPS. If the online form is not working, you don't have internet access, or you have additional questions, contact the USPS by phone. Call 1-800-275-8777 and choose “Track a Package” from the automated menu.^{[9]
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- You can also stop by a post office and speak to someone in person.

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I received a package that isn't mine. How do I return it?

Donagan

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If the package was delivered to an address other than what is printed on the package, either return it to any post office, or call 1-800-ASK-USPS to have the Postal Service pick up the package for free. If the package was correctly delivered to someone who is not at your address, you are not obligated to do anything (you can keep the package), or contact the sender and tell them what happened (or you can write "Return To Sender" on the package and give it back to USPS).

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How do I find a tracking number without a receipt?

USPS Tracking

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You can check on your email or message service. Check your email for a shipping confirmation from an online retailer.

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Can I get a tracking number from the automated machine at the post office?

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In the U.S., the automated kiosk at the post office gives out receipts just like the receipts a clerk would give you, which have your package's tracking number.

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