Postal Systems Worldwide
How postal codes work around the globe — from UK postcodes and Canadian FSAs to Japan's 7-digit system and India's PIN codes.
UK Postcodes: The Alphanumeric System Explained
UK postcodes use an alphanumeric format like SW1A 1AA that encodes region, district, sector, and delivery point.
Canada's Postal Code System: FSA and LDU
Canadian postal codes alternate letters and digits in a unique A1A 1A1 format that encodes province, district, and route.
Japan's 7-Digit Postal Code System
Japan Post uses a 7-digit numeric format (〒123-4567) that maps directly to addresses with remarkable precision.
India's PIN Code: 6 Digits Serving 1.4 Billion People
India's Postal Index Number system uses 6 digits to route mail across 155,000 post offices — the largest postal network on Earth.
Germany's PLZ: Postleitzahl from 1941 to Today
Germany pioneered postal codes in 1941. Today's 5-digit PLZ system, unified after reunification, serves as a model for precise mail routing.
Comparing Postal Code Formats Around the World
From 3-digit codes in Iceland to 10-digit codes in Iran, postal formats vary wildly. Here's a comprehensive comparison.
How E-Commerce Reshaped Postal Codes
Online shopping has transformed postal codes from mail-sorting tools into critical logistics infrastructure for last-mile delivery.
Eircode: Ireland's Unique Per-Address Postal Code
Launched in 2015, Eircode assigns a unique 7-character code to every address in Ireland — including rural homes with no street names.