Waiting on a delivery? UPS tracking lets you follow your package from the warehouse to your door in real time. This guide shows how to track a UPS shipment, what a tracking number looks like, what each status means, and how UPS My Choice can put you in control of when and where your package arrives.
This is an independent help guide. Track your real packages on the official ups.com — we are not affiliated with United Parcel Service. (UPS employees looking for pay or schedules want the UPSers employee portal instead.)
How to track a UPS package
- Find your tracking number (in your shipping confirmation email, receipt, or a UPS InfoNotice).
- Go to ups.com, open the UPS app, or use UPS My Choice.
- Enter the tracking number to see the latest status, recent scans, and estimated delivery date.
You don’t need an account to track a single package — just the number.
What does a UPS tracking number look like?
Most UPS tracking numbers start with “1Z” followed by 16 more characters (18 in total), for example 1Z 999 AA1 01 2345 6784. You may also see other formats for certain services, and a UPS InfoNotice (the slip left after a missed delivery) carries its own number you can track with too.
UPS tracking statuses explained
| Status | What it means |
|---|---|
| Label Created | The shipper made a label; UPS hasn’t picked it up yet. |
| In Transit | Your package is moving through the UPS network. |
| Out for Delivery | It’s on the truck and should arrive today. |
| Delivered | It’s been dropped off (often with a location note or photo). |
| Exception | A delay or issue — weather, address problem, or a missed attempt. |
UPS My Choice: take control of your deliveries
UPS My Choice is a free service that helps you avoid missed deliveries and stay informed. With it you can:
- get delivery alerts (and a delivery window) by email or text;
- change the delivery date or location, or reroute to a UPS Access Point;
- leave driver instructions (where to leave the package);
- see a delivery photo on eligible deliveries.
There are two tiers — Basic (free) and Premium (paid) — with Premium adding more flexible delivery changes. Sign up at ups.com/mychoice.
Track by text message
Prefer your phone? U.S. customers can text a UPS tracking number to 69877 for status by SMS, and you can opt in to UPS My Choice text alerts so updates come to you automatically.
Missed delivery? The UPS InfoNotice
If you weren’t home, UPS may leave a UPS InfoNotice. Use the number on it to track the package, see the next delivery attempt, or arrange pickup or redelivery. UPS generally makes more than one attempt before returning a package.
Frequently asked questions
How do I track my UPS package?
Enter your tracking number at ups.com, in the UPS app, or in UPS My Choice to see the latest status, recent scans and estimated delivery date.
What does a UPS tracking number look like?
Most begin with “1Z” followed by 16 more characters (18 total), such as 1Z999AA10123456784. Some services use other formats, and a UPS InfoNotice has its own trackable number.
Is UPS My Choice free?
Yes — UPS My Choice has a free Basic tier with alerts and delivery changes, plus a paid Premium tier that adds more flexible delivery management.
Can I track a UPS package by text?
Yes — U.S. customers can text a tracking number to 69877, and you can enable UPS My Choice text alerts for automatic updates.
What happens if I miss a UPS delivery?
UPS may leave a UPS InfoNotice; use its number to track the package, see the next attempt, or arrange pickup or redelivery. UPS usually attempts delivery more than once.
Related: Does UPS Deliver on Saturday? · UPS Follow My Delivery. UPS employee? See the UPSers portal guide.