How to Find a Postcode for Any Address

The most reliable way to find a postcode is to use the lookup tool published by the national postal operator of the country concerned. It uses the same data the operator itself uses for sorting and delivery.

Step-by-step

1. Identify the country, as every country has its own operator and format.
2. Search for the operator's official website, usually by searching its name with "find postcode" or "postal code lookup".
3. Enter the street, number and town as the tool asks.
4. Copy the code exactly, including any letters, spaces or hyphens.

Rules differ by country, and some operators allow searches by street name only, others require a full address.

Other ways to check

• Look at mail you have received at that address, which carries the code.
• Ask the occupant or the organisation, such as the school or business, which usually prints it on letterheads or invoices.
• Check an invoice, utility bill or delivery note.
• Use a map service that shows addresses, and confirm the result with the operator.

Things to watch for

A road can have several postcodes along its length, and a postcode can cover several streets. Numbers on odd or even sides may differ too. Always search with the house number, not just the street. See common postcode mistakes.

When there is no postcode

Some places have no nationwide postcode system, so there is nothing to look up. In that case the address relies on street, district and city, and sometimes landmarks. Read countries without a postcode system.

Postcode versus location

Finding a postcode tells you the delivery area, not where on the map the door is. To get a precise location, pick the point on a map instead. With UPCS you can open the map on upcs.io, choose the spot and receive a short code for that 3 m by 3 m cell. This is not an official postal code and is meant to travel alongside the regular address.

Learn how lookups differ in postcode lookup explained.