London Zip Code System: A Complete Guide by Two Locals

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Are you looking for your London zip code? We’ve got you covered! After living in different countries and traveling the world together, we’ve come to quickly understand how different zip code systems work in the world!

If so, then the London street postcode system can seem like an impossible task. Even though London is in Europe, its zip code system is different than other European countries like the country of France. With many boroughs in Greater London that all have different codes, it’s easy to get lost in translation when trying to find your London UK postal code. 

After living in Dublin for 4 years and recently moving to London UK ourselves, we understand how difficult it can be to learn this London England postal code system quickly. Especially when you’ll need your London address to find an apartment, open a bank account and register with a GP! We’ve had to learn Dublin postcode system and now we had to learn London’s.

But fear not! In this post we’ll explain how it works so you don’t have any difficulties understanding the complex network of postal codes here in London. From making a London postcode list to answering does England have zip codes, you’ll find all you need to know here.

What is a London Postal Code?

A London Post Code is a unique code assigned to each address and each property in London City and Greater London. It is similar to the postcode system used in Dublin, where you can use the code to match your property address – for example, if you live in an apartment, the code will match your specific apartment and not just the building. 

Having a unique code for each address makes it easier for people to find their way around London without getting lost. This allows mail carriers, the post office and other delivery services to easily locate any address they are looking for without confusion or delay.

Why do you need to know London zip code

Having a postcode for London  is essential if you want your mail to reach your address on time, whether you moved recently or have always been living here for a while. 

It is also essential when asking for or sending out important legal documents like Visas, marriage notice or bank accounts applications; by having the right postcode you can make sure that those important documents arrive on time. You will also need to know your London postcode for other important matters like registering with a GP, going to the hospital or hiring a lawyer.

Since we moved to London, we have used ours for our own important documents, such as to open a bank account or apply for our apartment and even for our wedding notice! One thing we recommend suing your London postcode for is to check whether your area gets good cellphone reception or not. The cellphone network in London is quite poor and certain areas don’t get any 4G or cell reception for calls. It’s quite impractical when you can’t make phone calls from the comfort of your own home. Trust us, it happened to us! 

Having the right London postal codes can also be helpful when travelling around the city, as it will allow you to get accurate directions without getting lost – this is especially true if you are using online mapping applications like Google Maps. For us, we’ve used London postal codes to find the right puppy yoga studios in London City or the right cat cafes when we were going on romantic dates together.

Finally, it can help when ordering online deliveries, as some companies may reject your order if the UK postcode London does not match. Keeping your London postcode up to date is therefore essential for making sure that you don’t miss out on important opportunities or get lost in the hustle and bustle of life in London! 

How is a London zip code built?

A London UK postcode is a combination of letters and numbers that is used by the Royal Mail to identify a specific location in London. It is different from other countries, for example, in France zip codes identify a building or complex whereas in London each apartment has its own postcode. An England postcode London has two parts – an outward code and an inward code which are also known as outcode and incode. The outward code determines the district or post town in which the mail is being sent while the inward code determines the individual sector within that district or town as well as either a specific address or thoroughfare. 

Inward and outward codes explained in London zip code system

London’s postal codes are unique in that they offer a much higher degree of accuracy than in other countries. This is because each code identifies not only a post town, but also a specific area and property within that town. The two parts of the London zip code, known as the outward and inward codes, help to pinpoint an exact location. Though you don’t really need to understand how a London postcode works in detail, this is interesting in case you ever need to decipher a zip code for lost mail for example.

The outward code is the first part of the London zip code and consists of either one or two letters followed by one or two numbers. This four digit code is known as the postcode area and identifies a broad sector within London. The inward code is the last three digits of the London zip code and identifies a much smaller area within the postcode area. This assists with delivery in a particular postal district and can be a mix of numbers and letters too. 

The District code is the first or first two letters and one or two numbers that follow. It identifies the specific district within the postcode area. 

London postcode example

For example,Greater London uses HA for Harrow and SO for Southampton. The London zip code for Harrow is HA1. The first two letters ‘HA’ are known as the postcode area and identify that this address is in the Harrow district of Greater London. The number following the ‘HA’ identifies a smaller postal area within Harrow, in this case it’s a sub-district called one. Knowing both parts of these London zip codes is essential for mail to reach its destination so make sure you double check them before sending!

For example SW1A 2AA, consists of the postcode area, ‘SW1’ and the inward code ‘A2AA’. The postcode area is made up of the first two letters ‘SW’ which identifies it as being in South West London. The postcode district code, ‘1A’, means that this address is located within Westminster. Finally, the sub-district, ‘2AA’, indicates a more specific location within Westminster. The sector and unit codes provide even more detail about an exact address and can be useful for businesses and those with large properties. 

What is the Zip Code for UK?

We’ve lived in both the UK and the USA so we can tell you that the postal systems are different. The UK uses postal codes while the US uses zip codes. They have the same function but come in different formats. These postcodes can be broken down into different parts which each represent a more specific area within a city or town. 

UK Postcode Areas

The UK postcode areas consist of a long list of codes, each representing a specific geographic region and that would be too long to include here. For instance, the Northern Ireland postcode area is identified by the code BT. 

In the UK, a postcode area is formed by combining two letters. Similar to how a zip code functions in London, a UK postcode is composed of two parts: an outward code and an inward code. To illustrate this, let’s take the example of Southwark in East London, whose postcode is SE1 9AA. In this case, the outward code is SE1, and the inward code is 9AA.

UK Postcodes for Northern Ireland

UK postcodes for Northern Ireland are different than the other parts of the UK. They have two letters instead of two parts. For example, if you live in Southwark in East London, your postcode would be SE1 9AA. SE1 is the outward code and 9AA is the inward code. However, if you live in Belfast your postcode would be BT1 XXX. This is due to the fact that Northern Ireland has its own separate postal service called Royal Mail NI. 

What is a 5 Digit Zip Code London for the UK?

UK Postcodes are made up of two parts: an outward code and an inward code. This can be demonstrated through the example of Southwark in East London, where the postcode is SE1 9AA. The outward code is SE1, and the inward code is 9AA.

The 5-digit zip code system used in the United States is not applicable to postal services in the UK, as their postcode system functions differently. The 5-digit zip code system is used by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to identify specific geographical locations. In the UK, a postal code can be between 5 and 7 digits.

What is a Valid Postcode in UK?

In the United Kingdom, a valid postcode is an essential component of the postal system. With approximately 1.8 million valid postcodes across the country, it plays a crucial role in accurately directing mail and parcels to their intended destinations. London, as one of the largest cities in the UK, has a significant number of postcodes, with around 34,000 postal codes serving different areas within the city.

To be considered valid, a postcode in the UK must correspond to a specific address. It acts as a unique identifier for a location, enabling efficient sorting and delivery of mail. For instance, Buckingham Palace, situated in central London, possesses the valid postcode SW1A 1AA. This postcode facilitates the precise identification of the palace’s location, ensuring that any correspondence addressed to it reaches the intended recipient without confusion.

Valid postcodes are an integral part of the UK’s postal infrastructure, supporting the smooth functioning of mail delivery and helping individuals, businesses, and organizations receive their correspondence accurately and efficiently.

How to find London zip code?

Postcode city of London by RoyalMail

When we first moved to London, it was unclear how we could find our postal code. It turns out that finding your postcode in London can be a straightforward process using various methods. One reliable option is to utilize the Royal Mail service, which provides a postcode finder tool. By accessing the Royal Mail website, you can navigate to their postcode finder feature. Once there, you will need to enter either a part or the complete address of the location you are interested in. The Royal Mail system will then search its database and provide you with the corresponding London city postcode for that address.

Postal code London city for residents

If you reside in London and are unsure of your London city postal code, you can also refer to your lease agreement. Typically, lease documents contain information about the property, including the postcode associated with it. This can be a helpful resource for finding your specific postcode of London City.

Other ways to find your London zip code

When sending mail to London, you can utilize the Royal Mail postcode finder tool by inputting the recipient’s address details. This will enable you to obtain the correct postcode London City bound for the intended destination, ensuring accurate and timely delivery.

In some cases, you can also find a London postcode by conducting a simple online search. By entering the address of the recipient into a search engine like Google, the search results may display the corresponding postcode as part of the address details.

Overall, whether you use the Royal Mail postcode finder, consult your lease agreement, or perform an online search, there are several reliable methods for finding a London postcode. These resources ensure that you have the accurate postcode information needed for various purposes, such as sending mail, receiving deliveries, or providing address details for official documentation.

London Zip Code List

There are thousands of postal codes in Greater London so it would be impossible for us make a list of postal codes in London . Instead, here’s a list of London postcodes of the main areas that will certainly help you when looking for different areas in London.

Greater London list of postcodes in London

W8 6AG (5 digits)

SW2 1DF (6 digits)

SW1A 1AA (7 digits)

North London Zip Code

N4 1EE

N22 6SY

N15 4BE

Central London list of zip code examples

SW1A 2WH

WC2N 5DN

WC2N 5HX

West London UK zip code list

UB2 4NE

TW7 4RB

W3 8LQ

Understanding London zip code geography

London is a vibrant city with a unique and complex geography spread across various zip codes. The five main areas of London’s geography are Central London or London City, West London, East London, South West or South and Greater London. 

Central London or London City is the most iconic area of the city, with its renowned landmarks such as The Shard, Tower Bridge, London Bridge and St Paul’s Cathedral. West London is home to popular tourist spots like Kensington, Covent Garden, Westminster and Hampstead. East London encompasses Canary Wharf and City Island as well as nearby locations beyond these places. South West or South is an area located south of the Thames, including Battersea and Greenwhich. Finally, Greater London refers to locations outside of Central London that are still part of the metropolitan area such as Rainham and Fulham. 

Each quarter of the city has its own distinct character that contributes to the overall vibrancy of Greater London as a whole. For instance, Central London features many notable museums and galleries that attract visitors from all over the world. In contrast, East London is known for its bustling nightlife scene full of trendy bars and clubs that stay open late into the night. Meanwhile in West London there’s plenty of top attractions like Buckingham Palace and Hyde Park that draw tourists from far away places every year. And lastly in South West or South some of England’s most picturesque landscapes can be seen along with other historical sites like Greenwich Observatory which holds great significance for astronomers around the world. 

Each of these area will have a different zip code. The postcode Central London has is different from the ones in West London. The first letters will help you identify where the area is!

London zip code FAQs

Any questions on the London Zip Code system? Drop them in the comments or on insta and we will get back to you asap.