7 Important Difference between Zip Code and Postal Code

February 2023 · 3 minute read

What is the difference between zip code and postal code?

Sending documents from one place to another requires the use of zip code and postal code. The code contains numbers and letters for geographical point or location.

The main difference between zip code and postal code is that a zip code is a coding system commonly used in the United States which helps in identifying the location and accelerating the delivery of mail whereas a postal code is an alphanumeric or numeric code, which helps in tracking the location at which the mail-piece has to be delivered. 

The article provides the core difference between zip code and postal code in tabular form of easier understanding. Let’s find out:

Difference between Zip Code and Postal Code

What Is A Zip Code?

Zip is an abbreviation of Zonal Improvement Plan. It is a numeric and letter system which was developed and used in the USA and the Philippines.

The code helps to identify the location where mails and packages can easily and accurately deliver. The main aim is to foster the exact delivery.

What Is A Postal Code?

Postal code is a combination of numbers to form a specific identification code. The main aim is to enhance easy identification when delivering mail and packages.

The code was highly adopted to sort mails in a bunch of large numbers of packages or letters. The system is used all over the world for easy identification of locations.

Read More: Difference between Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct

Comparison Chart: Zip Code Vs Postal Code

Basic TermsZIP CodePostal Code
Country of AdoptionThe United States and the PhilippinesThe United Kingdom and other countries
Year of Discovery19631959
ObjectiveReference and location identificationReference, location identification, census and route planning
ContainsNumbers onlyNumbers only or a combination of numbers and letters
ExplanationUsed within a countryUsed within a city
UsageHelps in identifying the exact bigger location.It is usually used within a country to deliver documents
LengthBetween 5-8 charactersCan be shorter or longer

Main Difference between Zip Code and Postal Code

  • ZIP code is an abbreviation of Zonal Improvement Plan while Postal code related to posting documents.
  • Postal code is associated with the United Kingdom while ZIP code is associated with the United States.
  • Postal code is used within a country to deliver documents whereas ZIP code help in identification of the exact bigger location.
  • A postal code is either longer or shorter while ZIP code is between 5-8 characters.
  • ZIP code is used within the countries while postal code is used within the city
  • ZIP code is the longer version of postal code
  • ZIP code was discovered in 1963 whereas postal code was established in 1959

    • Comparison Video

    Summary

    Postal code and zip code belong to the same family but they tend to perform a different function. The difference between zip code and postal code listed in the lesson will help you understand their uses.

    More Sources and References

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