Is there any difference between ZIP and Postal code? To send letters or other documents to different parts of the world, there is always a specific address of the place where everything must be delivered. The letters are delivered to these addresses so that they reach the person they are intended for.

Everywhere in the world, each location has a specific code to facilitate sending mail. This specific set of codes is different for cities and even more specific for a place. The two terms commonly used in this document are called Zip and Postal code, which have been called the same, but there are small differences between the two.

In early 1943 zone improvement plan was introduced in the United States of America to provide facilities for the identification of geographic locations.

The Primary Difference between ZIP and Postal Code

The main between the two is that the ZIP code is a term that is in use in the United States of America, while the term Postal code is usually associated with the United Kingdom (UK), and the countries that had been governed by the British.

Another difference between the two is that ZIP can be specific to a city or country, while for a location in a particular area or city Postal code is always specific to that location. Each country, like a prefix, has a ZIP code which is its postal identity, while all houses or buildings are assigned a recognizable postal code.

Postal code contains numeric values, as well as alphabets and symbols so it is more complex, while on the other hand there are generally only numbers in a ZIP code. Postal, the word itself is related to the display of something, while ZIP stands for Zoning Improvement System.

Even in the broadest sense, a ZIP code is defined as a postal code of more than 5 digits. The following lines give a brief explanation of the two terms.

	ZIP Code	Postal Code
Form	ZIP is a short form of Zoning Improvement System	It is related to posting mail or document related stuff.
Country	It is generally associated with the United States	It is generally associated with the United Kingdom
Usage	It helps in locating the exact big location	Postal code is generally used within a country to deliver documents
Length	ZIP code is between 5-8 characters	It can be short or long
Explanation	Within a country usage	Within a city usage

Also Read: India Post Speed Post Timing: Domestic and International

Definition of Zip Code

When identifying where to send the document internationally, it is always necessary to know the exact city code for a country; this is done using the ZIP code. ZIP stands for Zoning Improvement Plan.

This system started in the United States and is therefore primarily a term associated with Americans. This code is also known as a version of the postal code. The Oxford Dictionary defines this code as a postal code that can contain 5 to 9 characters.

It does not contain any alphabets and is made up only of numbers and each country and city where the airmail has presently received the code. For example, the New York postal code is 5 digits long and extends from 10001 and so on. This allows the city to be divided into several areas where mail can be easily delivered.

Definition of Postal Code

When dividing cities into multiple segments, you also need to identify where the mail will be sent. This is possible by assigning a specific number of addresses to houses or buildings (including shops) a type of numeric or alphabetical value.

Therefore, a postal address can be made up of numbers and alphabets. It can be very long or very short depending on how easy it is possible to define the position.

For instance, 234 W 42nd St, New York, NY 10036, United States is the mailing address for Madame Tussauds. This helps identify exactly where the building will be in all respects. It has the exact number, address, zip code, and location.

 Difference Between ZIP and Postal Code in Nutshell

• ZIP is the short forms that stand for Zoning Improvement Plan, while Postal Code is associated with the posting of documents or mail related documents.  
• Zoning Improvement System code is generally related to the United States. While the postal code is related to the United Kingdom.
• The postal code is generally used in a country to deliver documents, while a ZIP code helps identify the exact largest location.
• Postal code can be more or less long, while a Zoning Improvement System generally consists of 5 to 8 characters.
• A postal code is used in a city, while a ZIP code is used in countries.
• A ZIP code is considered primarily as a longer version of the postal code, as defined by the Oxford Dictionary.

Conclusion

These two terms ZIP code and Postal code belong to the same family but there are differences in these two. The difference between ZIP and Postal code has been mentioned above to help to create a clear understanding of how they differ and therefore help people to know how they work and what exactly is happening between them.

The most advanced barcode was formulated later in 1963 to specifically help identify specific cities, homes, businesses, and other government agencies. The new model has been formulated to allow more accurate position identification compared to the previous model.

By contrast, postal codes were introduced in the United Kingdom between 1959 and 1974, after which they were adopted in other English-speaking countries. The main function of postal codes is to designate a specific place with an address or a single main delivery unit.