Skip the weighing, the measuring, and the counter processing — it's all done before you leave home.
Is UPS or USPS cheaper? Same box, all three carriers
One item, one route, three carriers. On 2026-07-27 we typed “PlayStation 5 console in its original box” into the SMKlog calculator and asked for Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922 to Atlanta, GA 30303. Nothing was weighed or measured by hand — the packed box came back as 18 × 12 × 7 in at 18.7 lb. These are the prices it returned.
| Carrier | Service | All-in price | Estimated transit |
|---|---|---|---|
| USPS | Ground Advantage | $16.25 | 3-4 business days |
| UPS | Ground | $25.95 | 2-3 business days |
| FedEx | Ground | $32.23 | 3-4 business days |
USPS takes this one — $9.70 under UPS and $15.98 under FedEx. It does not always: the 27-inch monitor in the next table is a much bigger box, and there UPS comes in $4.92 under the next-cheapest option. Which carrier is cheapest depends on the box, not on the carrier, which is why it is worth seeing all of them on one screen instead of picking a counter and hoping.
What everyday items cost on the same route
| What we typed | Packed box it estimated | Cheapest all-in price |
|---|---|---|
| Pair of running shoes in a shoebox | 13 × 8 × 5 in 3.3 lb packed | $8.48 USPS Ground Advantage |
| PlayStation 5 console in its original box | 18 × 12 × 7 in 18.7 lb packed | $16.25 USPS Ground Advantage |
| 27-inch computer monitor in its original box | 29 × 21 × 7 in 20.9 lb packed | $31.96 UPS Ground |
| Yamaha FG800 acoustic guitar in a hard case | 43 × 20 × 7 in 15.4 lb packed | $41.49 UPS Ground |
| Treadmill | Past parcel size | No rates: freight |
Every row is just the item name typed in, the box the calculator estimated from it, and the cheapest price that came back. A treadmill is past what any carrier will take as a parcel, so the calculator shows no rates for it: it is freight, which SMKlog does not arrange.
Looking for a specific item?
1. Type it
No scale at home? No tape measure? Just name the item — "PS5 console", "car alternator", "framed painting". Smart sizing estimates the packed weight and box dimensions and prices real carrier options in seconds.
2. Pay & print
Pick the rate, pay online, print the label at home. Everything the counter clerk would do — weighing, measuring, rating, labeling — is already done.
3. Drop & go
Hand the prelabeled package over or use an eligible drop-off location and walk away. No standing in line while someone measures your box. Drop-off boxes have size limits — bigger boxes go to a staffed point, still without the wait.
Shipping without measuring: common questions
I don't know the weight or size. Can I still get a quote?
Yes. Type the item name — smart sizing estimates the packed weight and dimensions for you, then shows real carrier prices. No scale or ruler required.
Do I have to wait in line at the counter?
No. Your label is already paid and printed, so there is nothing to weigh, measure, or pay for at the counter. Hand it over or use an eligible drop-off — larger boxes go to a staffed drop-off point, still without the processing wait.
What if the estimate is wrong?
Carriers verify weight and dimensions in transit. If the final measurements differ, the price adjusts per the carrier's published rules — SMKlog shows the adjustment policy up front, so there are no surprise fees.
What if it's too big for a parcel?
Then it is freight, and the calculator shows no rates for it. SMKlog sells parcel labels only and does not arrange pallets, LTL, full truckload, containers, or vehicle moves.