Deciphering UK postcodes

Most British Overseas Territories use the same postcode nomenclature as the one in force in the United Kingdom.

Postcode type and position

Between 5 and 7 alphanumeric characters below the name of the locality, with a space before the last 3 alphanumeric characters.

Deciphering a United Kingdom postcode

E C 1 Y 8 S Y

E C = postal area
1 Y = postal district
8 = postal sector
S Y = delivery point

Address formats

A correct postal address must contain a minimum of information needed for correct sorting and delivery, and will contain a number of the following elements:

Addressee identification
Building
Dependent thoroughfare
Thoroughfare
Double dependent locality
Dependent locality
POST TOWN
County
POSTCODE
UNITED KINGDOM

The postcode must be written in capitals on the last (domestic) or penultimate (international) line of the address. It should appear on its own on a separate line, should not be underlined and should contain no punctuation. A one-character space should separate the two parts of the postcode.