A postcode, or postal code, is a series of letters and numbers that are added to a postal address to help sort mail more efficiently. Postcodes are used in many countries around the world, and their format varies from country to country. In the United Kingdom, for example, postcodes are made up of two parts: an outward code and an inward code. The outward code identifies the area of the country that the mail is being sent to, and the inward code identifies the specific delivery office. Postcodes can be used to check the validity of an address, to calculate postage costs, and to track mail items.
Postcodes are an important part of the postal system, and they can provide a number of benefits. For example, postcodes can help to:
