How to Track a Package: Step by Step Guide

To track a package, find the tracking number in your shipping email or receipt, paste it into the tracker above, and we show you the carrier and the latest status. That is all you need for most parcels. The rest of this guide explains what to do when it is not that simple.

Find your tracking number

The tracking number is in the shipping confirmation email from the shop, on the order page of your account, or on the receipt from the post office or courier counter. It is usually labelled “tracking number”, “consignment number”, “waybill” or “reference”.

• UPS numbers start with 1Z and have 18 characters.
• USPS domestic numbers are 20 to 22 digits, usually starting with 9.
• FedEx numbers are 12, 15, 20 or 22 digits.
• DHL Express numbers are 10 digits.
• Postal services (Royal Mail, Canada Post, China Post and others) use two letters, nine digits and a two letter country code, such as AB123456789GB.

Paste it into the tracker

Copy the whole number, spaces included if you like. The tracker removes spaces and dashes and checks the format against every carrier we support. If more than one carrier uses the same format, we show the most likely one first and let you switch.

Read the status

Each carrier words things differently, but most updates fall into a few groups: label created, in transit, customs, out for delivery, delivered, and exceptions. Our tracking status meanings page explains each one and what you should do.

When tracking stops updating

Gaps are normal. A parcel on a long truck route or an international flight is not scanned until it arrives. As a rule of thumb, wait two working days for domestic parcels and up to a week for international ones before you worry. After that, contact the sender first, because they are the carrier’s customer and can open an investigation.

International parcels change hands

A parcel sent abroad often travels with two companies: one in the sending country and one in yours. The number usually stays the same, so if the first carrier stops updating after “departed from origin”, try the same number with your local post office.

Stay safe from tracking scams

Fake text messages about unpaid delivery fees are very common. Real carriers never ask you to pay through a random link. If a message worries you, paste the number here or go to the carrier’s official website yourself.

Frequently asked questions