Shipping Cost Per Pound Calculator
Rate per pound for comparing carriers.
Cost per unit of weight
$2.05/lb
cheaper than the alternative
Compare on billable weight including surcharges. Using base rate and actual weight flatters carriers with heavy surcharge structures.
How the Shipping Cost Per Pound Calculator works
Cost per pound normalises quotes that are otherwise hard to compare — different weight bands, different surcharge structures, different minimums. It is the fastest way to see which carrier is genuinely cheaper for the parcels you actually send.
Not financial advice. Marketplace fees change, and they vary by country, plan and seller status. Every rate here is an editable default, not a quoted price — check the platform's current fee schedule before you price a product against it. This is not tax or business advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate cost per pound?
Total shipping cost including surcharges ÷ billable weight. Using base rate alone gives a figure that flatters carriers with heavy surcharge structures, which is exactly the comparison you are trying to avoid.
Why does cost per pound fall as weight rises?
Because a fixed handling component is spread over more weight, and carriers price in bands that reward heavier shipments. This is why consolidating two parcels into one often costs less than the two separately.
Should I use actual or billable weight?
Billable, since that is what you pay for. Calculating per actual pound on a dimensionally-weighted parcel produces a number that understates your true rate, sometimes dramatically.
What is a good rate per pound?
It depends entirely on service level and distance, so compare against your own alternatives rather than a benchmark. Track it over time — a rising cost per pound at constant weight means surcharges are creeping up.