How to read price per round and shipping costs
Guide reviewed 2026-10-09.
The formula
Price per round is the listed package price divided by the rounds in the package. It is stored to $0.001 and shown to the cent. A 50 round box at $14.50 is $0.29/rd. Prices on this site exclude shipping and tax unless a row says otherwise (how our data works).
Because $/rd is a ratio, it lets you compare a 20 round box with a 1,000 round case. It does not tell you the total you will pay.
How shipping changes the number
Take the lowest 9mm row on the 9mm page right now: $231.89 for 1,000 rounds at Cheaper Than Dirt, which is $0.23/rd. Every $10.00 of shipping adds $0.01/rd to that purchase (this is arithmetic, not a quoted shipping charge). Larger packages spread a flat shipping charge over more rounds.
Of 23,073 rows on this site, 0% state that shipping is included, 0% state that it is not, and 100% do not say. Where a row does not say, assume the price excludes shipping and check the merchant's cart.
Merchant shipping charges, free shipping thresholds and state restrictions are set by each merchant and change often. See shipping by state for the policies we have recorded, each linked to the merchant's own page.
Why ammunition shipping has its own rules
- UPS states that to meet the Limited Quantity exception, ammunition "can be shipped via UPS Ground only within the 48 contiguous United States," the package "may not exceed 66 lb. (30 kg)," and the package must carry the Limited Quantity marking.
- USPS Publication 52 states that ammunition regulated as a Class 1 explosive and designed to be fired from a pistol, revolver, rifle or shotgun "is prohibited from mailing."
Each merchant chooses its own ammunition shipping methods and minimums. Confirm the final total, any signature requirement and the delivery address rules in the merchant's cart before paying.
A short checklist
- Compare $/rd across merchants on the caliber page, with the same bullet type and case material.
- Open the merchant's cart and add shipping. Divide the cart total by the rounds to get your real $/rd.
- Check the time stamp. Rows older than 48 hours are not shown here, and a merchant's price can change between our check and your click.
- Check that the merchant ships to your state: buying ammo online by state.
Sources
Where this comes from.
Sources were opened and read on or before . Quotes are the publisher's own words; the page may have changed since.
- UPS: How To Ship Ammunition (limited quantity criteria, 66 lb package limit)
- USPS Publication 52, section 34: Mailability by Hazard Class (small arms ammunition)
- How our data works (this site)
Buyer's guides