UPS Tracking Number and Status Meaning

1. Where can I find the tracking number?

Your UPS tracking number can be found in several places: on the shipping receipt provided to you or in the confirmation email you received if your shipment was processed through UPS.com.

The UPS tracking number is also displayed on the exterior of the package being shipped and on the sender's receipt. This number is essential for tracking the progress of packages on the UPS website, as it is only possible to track a shipment with this specific number.

FormatUsed ForExplanationExample
UPS utilizes several formats for their tracking numbers, which cater to various shipment types. These formats include:  
1Z9999999999999999   Small package shipments   Standard tracking number format for UPS, used for most small packages.   1Z9999999999999999  
999999999999   Small package shipments   A 12-digit tracking number format, commonly used for smaller parcels.   123456789012  
T9999999999   Specific shipment types   A 10-character format, often used for specialized or less common shipment types.   T1234567890  
999999999   Specific shipment types   A 9-digit tracking number, typically used for specific services or smaller shipments.   123456789  
In addition, UPS handles other tracking number formats that range from seven to 20 characters in length. These are used for different shipment methods:  
Delivery Order/Sub-PRO Number   LTL and TL child shipments   Tracks Less-Than-Truckload (LTL) and Truckload (TL) child shipments.   Varies  
House Air Waybill   Air freight shipments   Tracks air freight shipments, typically used for larger or more complex logistics.   Varies  
House Bill of Lading   Ocean freight shipments   Tracks ocean freight shipments, essential for international maritime transportation.   Varies  
PRO Number   Surface freight shipments   Tracks surface freight shipments, often used in trucking and ground logistics.   Varies  
UPS Delivery Notice   Small package shipments   A 12-digit reference number included in a bar-coded notice, issued on the first delivery attempt in certain countries.   123456789012  
UPS Service Notice   Small package shipments   Issued on the first delivery attempt in certain countries, used to track service interactions.   Varies  
For tracking UPS Mail Innovations shipments, you can use both ups.com and upsmi.com. The tracking numbers for UPS Mail Innovations differ in length and format from those for small packages. They include:  
United States Postal Service Delivery Confirmation Number   UPS Mail Innovations shipments   A 22-34 digit number given when Delivery Confirmation is requested by the U.S. Postal Service.   1234567890123456789012345678  
Sequence Number (MMS/MMI Number)   UPS Mail Innovations shipments   An 18-digit number used internally by UPS Mail Innovations or UPS Worldship.   123456789012345678  
Mail Innovations Compliant Package ID   UPS Mail Innovations shipments   A barcode-style identifier set by the shipper for each mail piece. Follows the pattern MIXXXXXXNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN   MI12345678901234567890123456  

When monitoring your package through UPS, it's essential to understand the various tracking status codes you might encounter. These codes provide real-time information about the progress of your shipment, helping you stay informed every step of the way. Below is a detailed guide to UPS tracking status labels, each accompanied by a description to help you understand exactly where your package is in the delivery process:

Label StatusDescription
Label Created   Shipment details and billing information have been received from the sender. The status will be updated once the shipment is in our possession and starts moving through our network.  
Shipped/On the Way   The shipment has been picked up and is in transit within our network, with a scheduled delivery date. This status may remain unchanged until the package is out for final delivery. Once it reaches the destination hub, there may be further scans for long-distance deliveries.  
Out for Delivery   The shipment has arrived at the local UPS facility and has been dispatched to a driver for final delivery. Unless the sender has chosen a time-definite air delivery service, deliveries are typically made between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. (and sometimes later) for residential addresses and by the close of business for commercial addresses.  
Delivered   The shipment has reached its final destination, and the delivery time has been recorded. If no signature is required, the driver will try to leave the package in a secure location, such as a front porch, side door, back porch, or garage, to protect it from theft or weather.  
Delivered to a UPS Access Point   The shipment has been delivered to a selected UPS Access Point location. It is available for pickup at the receiver's convenience.  
Transferred to Post Office for Delivery   The sender has requested that the shipment be transferred to the local post office for final delivery. Please allow an additional day or two for the delivery process to be completed.  
Exception   The shipment is in the UPS network, but an unexpected issue may impact the scheduled delivery date. The specific reason for the exception will be detailed in the Shipment Progress section of the Tracking Detail page. If the delivery date changes, the tracking status will update with the new date.