ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan. However, the USPS intentionally chose the acronym to indicate that mail travels more quickly when senders mark the postal code on their packages and envelopes.
What are the 4 extra digits of a ZIP Code?
So what do the extra numbers mean? These last 4 digits represent specific delivery routes within delivery areas. This extra detail means an even more precise matching to a more granular level. It could represent a handful of houses on one side of a street, or even a single building that receives a high volume of mail.
What do the first 3 digits of a ZIP Code mean?
sectional center facility
In general, the first three digits designate a sectional center facility, the mail sorting and distribution center for an area. A sectional center facility may have more than one three-digit code assigned to it.
What do the first 2 digits of a ZIP Code mean?
The first digit in a ZIP code represents a defined group of U.S. states. The second and third digits represent a region in that group, such as a large city. To send mail, only the first five digits of the ZIP code are required.
What is a ZIP Code type?
There are four primary types of ZIP codes: PO Box, Unique, Military, and Standard. PO boxes are located at the post office itself; unique codes refer to individual addresses; US military bases overseas have a domestic mailing address; and standard codes designate everything else (i.e. the “normal” ones).
Is a ZIP Code 5 or 9 digits?
A ZIP Code is a 5-digit number that specifies an individual destination post office or mail delivery area. ZIP Codes determine the destination of letters for final sorting and delivery. Each ZIP Code designates a collection of delivery routes used by mail carriers and areas serviced by the USPS.
What is a valid US ZIP Code?
The current postal codes in the United States range from 00001 – 99950.
What are the 3 numbers after a ZIP Code?
Description. U.S. ZIP Code Areas – Three-Digit provides ZIP Code (three-digit), population, and area for the three-digit ZIP Code areas in the United States.
Why are ZIP Codes 9 digits?
So, USPS created 9-digit ZIP Codes to ensure fast and accurate mailings. They indicate the actual path the mail should travel and usually they narrow down to somewhere between ten to twenty homes.
Is 00000 a valid ZIP Code?
The 00000 zip code is described in state data as home to people who listed themselves as residents of Clearwater,Feather Sound,Baker County,Miramar Beach,Tierra Verde,Jackson County,St.
Why do cities have 2 ZIP Codes?
Some ZIP codes are used only for PO boxes at a particular post office — for example, the city of Greenbelt, MD is mostly in the 20770 ZIP code, but PO boxes at its post office all have 20768 ZIP codes. Other times ZIP codes are used to route mail to naval ships and to military bases overseas.
What happens if I use the wrong ZIP Code?
Writing the wrong ZIP Code with the right address usually causes the letter to be delivered about a day later than if the ZIPCode were correct. As long as the mailing address is correct, the letter will be delivered.
Why do some addresses have 2 ZIP Codes?
To subdivide a city for easier delivery of mail, depending on the size of the city and the density of population you will have different zip codes which designate which part of the city you live in and when there are multiple USPS branches each may work within one or two codes.
What is 9 digit ZIP Code in USA?
The 9-digit ZIP Code consists of two sections. The first five digits indicate the destination post office or delivery area. The last 4 digits represent specific delivery routes within delivery areas. ZIP plus 4 codes assist the USPS in effectively sorting and distributing mail.
Do any zip codes have letters?
Most of the postal code systems are numeric; only a few are alphanumeric (i.e., use both letters and digits).
What is a 6 digit postal code?
The six-digit postal code consists of two parts: the last two digits (sector code) of the old four-digit postal code, followed by four new digits representing the delivery point within the sector.
Does a 9 digit ZIP Code need a dash?
USPS automated equipment is set up to read the nine-digit ZIP code separated with a dash between the first five digits and the last four digits. The nine-digit ZIP code is required for all classes of mail.
Is 11111 a valid US ZIP Code?
11111 is not a valid 5 digit ZIP Code, but there are valid ZIP Codes that start with 111: 11101, 11102, etc. Once position 28 was changed to Y, then MSP considered 11111 as an Invalid zip, because it looked at all 5 digits.
Do all ZIP Codes start with 9?
The first number of the five-digit code signifies the region which the address is located in, a number that grows from the east coast to the west. For example, Eastern states such as Maine and New York begin with 0 or 1, whereas the Western states of California and Washington begin with a 9.
What are invalid ZIP Codes?
Invalid zip code error is displayed when attempting to process a payment from your customer with a billing address outside the U.S. They may have a ZIP code (or Province code) that includes characters that do not meet the U.S. 5 digit standard.
Where is the lowest ZIP Code in America?
Holtsville, NY
The lowest ZIP Code number is 00501, unique for the Internal Revenue Service in Holtsville, NY.