Postcodes in United Kingdom
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Most Common Place
- London (58)
- Newton (34)
- Middleton (25)
- Milton (24)
- Newtown (22)
- Sutton (21)
- Liverpool (20)
- Norton (20)
- Upton (20)
- Preston (19)
- Sheffield (19)
- Belfast (18)
- Birmingham (18)
- Church End (17)
- Glasgow (16)
- Newport (15)
- Walton (15)
- Weston (15)
- Wirral (15)
- Ford (14)
Country
- England (18845)
- Scotland (5991)
- Wales (2093)
- Northern Ireland (417)
County
- Highland (1351)
- Devon (894)
- Greater London (879)
- North Yorkshire (845)
- Lincolnshire (809)
- Norfolk (748)
- Aberdeenshire (729)
- Argyll And Bute (693)
- Somerset (669)
- Cornwall (625)
- Kent (622)
- Shropshire (618)
- Cumbria (611)
- Essex (581)
- Hampshire (578)
- Suffolk (546)
- Gloucestershire (483)
- Wiltshire (467)
- Dorset (427)
- Staffordshire (425)
Community
- Caerdydd - Cardiff (4)
- Highland (4)
- City Of Edinburgh (3)
- Glasgow City (3)
Understanding Postcodes in the United Kingdom
Postcodes are an essential part of the addressing system in the United Kingdom, playing a crucial role in the efficient delivery of mail and services. Introduced by the Royal Mail, postcodes help to identify specific geographic areas and locations, making it easier for postal workers and service providers to navigate the country.
The Structure of UK Postcodes
UK postcodes are alphanumeric and typically consist of two parts: the outward code and the inward code. The outward code, which precedes the space, identifies the postal district or area, while the inward code pinpoints the specific delivery point within that district. For example, in the postcode "SW1A 1AA," "SW1A" is the outward code, and "1AA" is the inward code.
Outward Code
The outward code is crucial for directing mail to the correct postal district. It usually comprises one or two letters followed by one or two digits, although some areas may have a letter following the digit. The letters often represent a city or region, such as "SW" for South West London or "EH" for Edinburgh.
Inward Code
The inward code is used to sort mail at the local level. It typically consists of a digit followed by two letters. This part of the postcode helps to identify the specific delivery point, such as a street, building, or business within the postal district.
Postcode Areas and Districts
The UK is divided into postcode areas, each represented by one or two letters. These areas are further divided into districts, which are identified by the outward code. For example, the "B" postcode area covers Birmingham, while "B1" is a district within Birmingham.
Special Postcodes
Some postcodes are reserved for special purposes. For instance, "BF" is used for British Forces Post Office addresses, and "GIR 0AA" is a non-geographic postcode used by Girobank. Additionally, some large organizations and businesses may have unique postcodes for their headquarters or main offices.
Postcodes and Geographic Information
Postcodes are not only used for mail delivery but also serve as a valuable tool for geographic information systems (GIS). They are often used in demographic analysis, marketing, and planning to identify and analyze specific areas. Businesses and government agencies use postcode data to make informed decisions based on population density, economic activity, and other factors.
Finding and Using Postcodes
Finding a postcode in the UK is straightforward, thanks to online postcode lookup tools provided by the Royal Mail and other services. These tools allow users to search for postcodes by entering an address or location. Additionally, many GPS and mapping applications use postcodes to provide accurate directions and location-based services.