United Arab Emirates
How to Find a Postal Code or Address in the UAE
No national postal code exists in the UAE. Learn what to enter on forms, how to find your P.O. Box or Makani number, and verify details.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 3 min read
You cannot look up a nationwide postal code for a UAE address because there is no general system to look it up in. What you can find is the equivalent information that carriers and shops actually use: a P.O. Box number, the area and emirate, and, where available, a local location reference.
Step 1: decide which address type you need
- For post office mail: a P.O. Box at Emirates Post, the national postal operator.
- For courier or online delivery: a street-style address with building, area, emirate and phone number.
Details of both layouts are in the UAE address format guide.
Step 2: find the details
- P.O. Box. The number appears on your box subscription documents or on the key tag. The post office where the box is held can confirm it.
- Building and area name. Check your tenancy contract, building signage or utility bill; they usually show the official building and community names.
- Makani number (Dubai). The Dubai municipality provides a way to look up entrances and their numbers, and many buildings display it near the entrance. It is specific to Dubai.
- Landlord or building management. They can supply the exact tower name and unit number.
Step 3: handle the postal code field
If a form requires a postal code, follow the guidance of that site, and use a placeholder only if it accepts one. Do not guess a value. The postal code page explains this in more detail.
How to verify
- The emirate and area are correct and spelled as on official papers.
- The P.O. Box number, if used, matches the correct post office city.
- The building name matches signage.
- A phone number is included.
If you are unsure
Ask the building manager or a neighbour for the usual delivery description, and search the building on a map to see the nearest road and landmark. If the entrance is unclear, share a pinned location.
Where UPCS fits
A UPCS code is not an official identifier and does not come from Emirates Post. It is simply a way to save the exact point you select on the UPCS map as AE-XXXX-XXXX. You can send the code with your address, and the recipient can paste it into UPCS to see the same point. The delivery guide shows how couriers and shops use it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find my P.O. Box number in the UAE?
It is shown in your rental or subscription paperwork from Emirates Post or the box holder. A post office can also confirm it if you hold the box.
What is a Makani number?
It is a location reference used in Dubai to identify an entrance on a map. It is not a postal code and is specific to that emirate's system.