How to Read Postal Weight Scales

A postal weight scale is designed to weigh letters, parcels and packages that will be sent through the postal service or a shipping courier. Knowing the exact weight of the object being sent puts a finer point on the mailing or shipping costs. As a result, companies that mail or ship products, or people sending packages, can control costs by using a postal weight scale.

Check to make sure the scales read the correct weight for the weight you placed on the scales. If the scale is incorrect, press the calibrate button, and set the scale to the appropriate weight reading. Remove the weight and wipe off the scales.

Turn on the postal scales. Make sure the scales are set to read ounces, and not pounds, or fluid ounces. Set the weight on the scales and wait a few seconds until the scale meter or numbers stop moving or changing.

Place the packaged object or objects you are sending on the postage scale. The objects should be packed into sealed envelopes, or taped up in postage boxes, before weighing. A new, analog postage scale will give you both the weight, and amount of postage necessary. An older, mechanical postage scale will only give you the weight; with the weight, you will then calculate the amount of postage necessary and postage price.

Calibrate the postage scales before you weigh your envelopes or boxes. This will ensure you get the most accurate reading. Use a weight, preferably of a few ounces, to make sure you know the exact weight of object beforehand. Clean off the scales to prevent any inaccurate readings.

Set the postage scale to measure in ounces. Measure the weight of the object you are sending. Each ounce the package or envelope weighs represents the need for one first-class postage stamp. So a 25-oz. package will require postage valued at 25 first-class postage stamps.

Difficulty: Easy