Postcode

UK and Australian postal codes are known as postcodes. The term is also used in some other English-speaking countries, such as South Africa, New Zealand, and Singapore, although often with the alternative spelling post code.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

UK postcodes are alphanumeric. These codes were introduced by the Royal Mail over a fifteen year period from 1959 to 1974. They have been widely adopted not just for their original purpose of automating the sorting of mail but for many other purposes — see Postcode lottery below.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, as the format of the codes does not achieve its objective of primarily identifying the main sorting office and sub-office they have been supplemented by a newer system of five digit codes called Mailsort. Mail users who can deliver mail to the post office sorted by mailsort code receive discounts, whilst delivery by postcode provides no such incentive.

UK: REDIRECT United Kingdom...

Australian: REDIRECT Australia...

Postal code: A postal code is a series of letters and/or digits appended to a postal address for the purpose of sorting mail....