You can track a UPS package using your tracking number, the UPS website, the UPS mobile app, or by text message

UPS sends you a tracking number when your package ships. That number is the key to watching your delivery move from the warehouse to your door. You can enter it on ups.com, use the UPS app on your phone, text it to UPS, or sometimes track it directly through the retailer's website if they set that up. Most packages show their location and expected delivery date within a few hours of shipping.

The tracking information updates as your package moves through UPS sorting facilities and onto delivery trucks. You will see when it leaves the origin facility, arrives at regional hubs, and reaches the local delivery center. On delivery day, you typically get a narrower window — often a few hours — for when the truck will arrive at your address.

Key Takeaways

  • Your tracking number arrives by email, text, or in your order confirmation, and you need it to look up your package status anywhere.
  • The UPS website (ups.com) and the UPS mobile app both show the same real-time location data and expected delivery date.
  • Text tracking works by sending your tracking number to 797982 (UPSTRACK), and UPS replies with status updates by text.
  • Delivery windows narrow as your package gets closer — you might see a multi-day window early on, but a specific few-hour window on delivery day.
  • If your package does not arrive by the promised date, you can file a claim through UPS or contact the retailer who shipped it.

Finding your tracking number

Your tracking number usually arrives in an email from the retailer or from UPS itself. Check your email inbox and spam folder both — shipping confirmations sometimes land in spam. If you ordered from a major retailer like Amazon, Target, or Walmart, the tracking number also appears in your account under "Orders" or "Recent Purchases."

The tracking number is typically 1Z followed by nine digits and a letter (example: 1Z999AA10123456784). Some retailers print it on your packing slip if you ordered in person or picked up at a store. If you cannot find it, log into the retailer's website, find your order, and look for a "Track Package" link — that often takes you straight to UPS tracking without needing to copy the number yourself.

Tracking on the UPS website or app

Go to ups.com and look for the "Track a Package" box on the homepage. Paste or type your tracking number into the search field and click "Track." Within seconds, you will see the package status, the last known location, and the promised delivery date. The page refreshes automatically, so you can leave it open and watch updates come in throughout the day.

The UPS mobile app (available on iPhone and Android) works the same way. Open the app, tap "Track," enter your number, and you get the same real-time information. Many people prefer the app because you can save tracking numbers to your account, so you do not have to search for the number each time. You can also turn on push notifications so UPS sends you an alert when your package is out for delivery.

Tracking by text message

Text your tracking number to 797982 (which spells UPSTRACK on a phone keypad). UPS replies with a text showing your package status and expected delivery date. You can text the same number again later to get an updated status. This method works on any phone with texting, even if you do not have a smartphone or the app installed.

Text tracking is slower than the website or app — you might wait a minute or two for the reply — but it is useful if you are away from a computer or your phone battery is low. Keep the text thread open so you can send follow-up texts to the same number without re-entering your tracking number each time.

What the tracking status messages mean

Order Processed means UPS has received the package information from the retailer but does not physically have the package yet. On the Way means the package is in transit between facilities or on a delivery truck. Out for Delivery means the package is on the truck that will come to your address today. Delivered means the driver left it at your address, usually with a note about where it was placed.

Delivery Exception or Delivery Delay means something went wrong — the address was unclear, the package was damaged, the delivery truck broke down, or weather closed the facility. When you see this status, check the tracking page for details about what happened. You can also contact UPS customer service at 1-800-742-5877 to ask what the delay is and when you can expect delivery.

Returned to Shipper means UPS could not deliver the package and sent it back to the retailer. This usually happens because the address was wrong, nobody was home to sign for it (if a signature was required), or the package was refused. The retailer will contact you about what to do next — usually a refund or a new shipment to a corrected address.

Tracking when delivery is delayed or does not arrive

If your package does not arrive by the promised date, check the tracking page first. If it shows Delivery Exception, read the details to understand why. If it shows Out for Delivery but never updates to Delivered, wait until the end of the business day — sometimes the tracking page lags behind the actual delivery by a few hours.

If a full business day passes and the package still shows Out for Delivery or has not moved in 24 hours, contact UPS at 1-800-742-5877. Have your tracking number ready. UPS can tell you whether the driver attempted delivery, whether a signature was required but not obtained, or whether the package is actually lost. If UPS lost the package, you can file a claim through them, though the retailer is usually the faster route — contact the store or company you ordered from and ask them to file a claim or send a replacement.

Tracking packages sent to someone else

If you sent a UPS package to another person, you can track it the same way — enter the tracking number on ups.com or the app. The recipient can also track it using the same number if you give it to them. UPS does not restrict tracking information based on who the sender or receiver is; anyone with the tracking number can see the status.

If you want to prevent someone from tracking a package you sent, there is no setting to hide the tracking number. The only way to keep it private is to not share the number with anyone. If you are concerned about a package's security, you can contact UPS to request that a signature be required at delivery, though this must usually be set up before the package ships.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I change the delivery address after UPS has the package?

It depends on how far along the package is. If it is still at the origin facility or in transit between hubs, UPS may be able to redirect it. If it has already reached the local delivery center or is out for delivery, redirection is usually not possible. Contact UPS at 1-800-742-5877 with your tracking number and ask whether they can change the address. If they cannot, you will need to refuse the delivery or have someone at the original address accept it and forward it to you.

Why does my tracking number not show up when I search for it?

New packages sometimes take a few hours to appear in the UPS system after the retailer creates the label. If you just received the tracking number, wait a few hours and search again. If it has been more than 24 hours and the number still does not show up, double-check that you copied the number correctly — even one wrong digit will return no results. If the number is correct, contact the retailer to confirm they actually shipped the package.

Can I track a package without a tracking number?

No. UPS requires a tracking number to look up a package. If you do not have the number, contact the retailer or sender and ask them to provide it. Some retailers can look up your order by your account email and resend the tracking number by email.

What does it mean if my package shows delivered but I did not receive it?

Check the tracking details — they often say where the driver left the package, such as "left at front door" or "left with resident." Look in that location first. If the package is not there, check with neighbors or household members who might have brought it inside. If it is truly missing, contact the retailer or UPS to report it. You may be able to file a claim or request a replacement.

How often does UPS tracking update?

Tracking updates whenever your package moves to a new facility or onto a delivery truck, which can happen several times per day. On delivery day, updates usually come more frequently as the package moves through the local center and onto the delivery route. Updates can lag behind the actual movement by a few minutes to a few hours, so the tracking page may not show real-time location.