The structure of a postcode is two alphanumeric codes that show, first, the Post Town and, second, a small group of addresses in that post town. The first alphanumeric code (the Outward code or Outcode) has between two and four characters and the second (the Inward Code or Incode) always has three characters.
How do you read UK post codes?
Each postcode consists of two parts. The first part is the outward postcode, or outcode. This is separated by a single space from the second part, which is the inward postcode, or incode. The outward postcode enables mail to be sent to the correct local area for delivery.
How does a postal code work?
The postal code is maintained by the CPC . It was designed to help sort mail rapidly and make more efficient the delivery of letters, parcels and other mail by CPC . A postal code may be linked to different types of points of delivery including residential mail boxes, super boxes as well as post office mail boxes.
What is the format for postcodes?
Postal Code Formats
| Country | Format | Name |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 99999 or 99999-9999 | Zip Code |
| Canada | A9A 9A9 or A9A-9A9 | Postal Code |
| United Kingdom | AAA 9AA or AA99 9AA or AA9 9AA | Postcode |
| Argentina | A9999AAA | CPA |
Are postcodes unique to each house?
Each postcode covers an average of about 15 properties. However, this is not a definitive number, where postcodes can hold up to 100.
What is a UK postcode example?
The postcode sector is made up of the postcode district, the single space, and the first character of the inward code. It is between four and six characters long (including the single space). Examples of postcode sectors: SW1W 0.
How do you decode a postal code?
The five digits actually have specific functions: the first number in the code represents a general geographic area of the nation, “0” in the East, moving to “9” in the West. The next two numbers represent regional areas, and the final two identify specific Post Offices™.
What is the difference between postcode and postal code?
ANSWER: The two codes are essentially the same in their purpose, but the term Zip code is mainly used in the USA; Postal Code is commonly used in other countries.
Does the postal code matter?
Such codes represent the geographic areas of addresses and help the concerned postal services deliver mail to them. They can contain alphabets, numbers, or both. Courier companies and postal organizations use postal codes to sort their mail items in an automated way, speeding up delivery.
What is postal code based on?
As of 1963, zip codes’ numbers are determined by a few factors: the area, the regional postal facility and the local zone. 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.
Are all UK postcodes 7 digits?
Guidance on recording valid postcodes
The postcode is a combination of between five and seven letters/numbers, which define four different levels of geographic unit. It is part of a coding system created and used by the Royal Mail across the United Kingdom for sorting mail.
Can 2 places have the same postal code?
When looking at postal codes around the world, there are cases where two different cities are served by the same postal code. For example, the zip code 94608 in California is used for both Emeryville and parts of Oakland. One postal code, two cities.
Can 1 street have 2 postcodes?
Some longer streets have multiple (or many) postcodes. You will seldom find a postcode that covers more than a block or two.
What is the biggest postcode area in England?
Smallest size is EC2N, East Central London (0.03 square miles ). Largest size is IV27, (1,393 square miles). Average size 33 square miles.
How are UK postcodes format?
The structure of a postcode is two alphanumeric codes that show, first, the Post Town and, second, a small group of addresses in that post town. The first alphanumeric code (the Outward code or Outcode) has between two and four characters and the second (the Inward Code or Incode) always has three characters.
How do UK addresses work?
Unlike an American address, where the town, state and ZIP code appear on the same line, the town and postcode is written on separate lines for a UK address. On the line after the street name, you need to write the town or city, followed by the postcode on the next line.
Is every postcode in the UK unique?
They vary from representing one address to hundreds, it’s not really consistent. It does seem strange that postcodes are not unique to addresses but they were originally just zones intended to help routing.
How do you read a postal number?
The first and last long lines mark the beginning and end of the code so it can easily be read by machines. The remaining lines are split into six groups of five bars. Each one of these five bars represents a single digit. The long bars are indicated as “I,” and the short bars are indicated as “.”
What is a 6 digit post code?
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.13-Jul-2016.
Are postal codes always 5 digits?
ZIP & ZIP+4
United States ZIP codes are five numerical digits long. ZIP+4 codes, also known as add-on or plus-four codes, include four additional digits that identify a geographic segment within a ZIP code delivery area. The first digit in a ZIP code represents a defined group of U.S. states.
How a postcode is made up?
It is a hierarchical system, working from left to right — the first letter or pair of letters represents the area, the following digit or digits represent the district within that area, and so on. Each postcode generally represents a street, part of a street, or a single premises.