Brazil
Brazil CEP Format Explained: Postal Code Structure
Understand the Brazilian CEP: eight digits in the 00000-000 pattern, what the regional and suffix parts mean, valid format examples and common errors.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
A Brazilian CEP has eight digits, written in two groups with a hyphen: 00000-000. It is numeric only. The code is used as a core part of an address in forms, delivery apps and logistics systems, because it can identify a street or a building rather than a general area.
Structure
The two groups have different jobs.
| Part | Digits | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Region and sector | First 5 | From a broad region of the country down to a sector, subsector and subdivision |
| Suffix | Last 3 | Distinguishes the individual delivery point, such as a street segment or a building |
The first digit points to a large region of the country. Each following digit narrows the area further, so codes that begin with the same digits are geographically close. The three-digit suffix after the hyphen is the part that identifies the exact delivery point. Special suffixes are used for post offices, companies, institutions and some large buildings that receive a lot of mail.
Street-level and general CEPs
In large cities, one street may carry one CEP, or several if it is long and passes through different areas. The CEP then depends on the number range of the house. In many small towns, a single general CEP is used for all addresses. This is why a CEP alone is not always enough to tell a courier where to go, and why the street name and number are still required.
Valid format examples
These examples are generic and show the shape only:
01234-56720000-00099999-999
Common mistakes
- Omitting the hyphen or the leading zero. Some regions have codes starting with zero. Keep the field as text and keep exactly eight digits.
- Entering seven or nine digits. Check the count before submitting.
- Using the CEP of a nearby street. Neighbouring streets almost always have different CEPs.
- Using a general town CEP for a street that has its own. Some municipalities have both, so confirm which applies.
- Trusting an old CEP. Codes can change when areas are reorganised or new streets appear.
Related
To confirm a code, see how to find a CEP in Brazil. To see where it sits in a full address, read Brazil address format or the country overview.
Frequently asked questions
How many digits are in a Brazilian CEP?
Eight digits, normally written as five digits, a hyphen and three digits, for example 00000-000 as a generic pattern.
Does every street have its own CEP?
In most larger cities, streets or street segments have their own CEP, and some large buildings have one too. Small municipalities may use one general CEP for the whole town.