Is London a City? 3 Super Common Questions Answered Once & for All

When it comes to filling out forms that ask for “town and country, “city and county,” or “state and province,” many are left scratching their heads. “Is London a city?” is a question that seems simple but is layered with complexity.

Let’s look at some common issues when filling out forms, sending mail, and navigating the UK.

brightly colored postal mail graphics with text overlaid: "is london a city and other common questions"

1. Is London a City? 

Yes, London is a city. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. There are two cities within London.  

a) London, a.k.a. Greater London 

is london a city? Map of greater london

Greater London is an administrative region that encompasses 32 boroughs. Each borough has its own local authority. When you think of the massive sprawl of London, that’s Greater London. 

b) The City of London 

is london a city? a map of the city of london, which is a city within the city of london

Within Greater London lies the “City of London,” often referred to as the “Square Mile” because of its size. It’s a city in its own right – a city within a city.

The City of London is London’s historic core, established by the Romans in AD 43. It has its own local authority, the City of London Corporation, and its own police force separate from the Metropolitan Police.

Is London a City? Common Misconceptions

London vs. The City of London 

One of the most common misconceptions is that “London” and “The City of London” are interchangeable. The City of London is totally separate from Greater London in government and administration.

While the City of London is within Greater London, they are two distinct entities.

Is London a Capital?

London is both the capital of England and the capital of the United Kingdom. It’s also a city in its own right, with the added complexity of having a smaller city (City of London) within it.

What do I Put for “City and County” if I’m in London? 

graphics explaining what to write when a form asks you for city, state or county and you live in london

When forms ask for “city and county,” it can be puzzling for those living in London. What this is asking for is a smaller geographic area for mail and packages. 

When you live in London, put “London” for the city, and “Greater London” for the county, and your items will arrive just fine. 

What do I Put for “City and County” if I’m in the City of London? 

If you live or work in the “Square Mile,” your address works just the same as in Greater London.

For city and county, just put “London” and “Greater London.” The postcode for the City of London starts with “EC,” and this designation makes sure your mail will get to the right place. 

2. What Province is London in? 

map of "provinces" in england, which are called counties or shires and not provinces
Map of counties in England. London’s “county” is Greater London.

London is not in a province; it is a city within a country. London is the capital city of England and the United Kingdom. England is divided into counties, not provinces. 

A province is a territorial unit used in lots of countries worldwide to designate different geographical areas, but the UK and London don’t use provinces. 

The UK has countries (Wales, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and England), each country has counties (Hertfordshire, Surrey, etc. in England, for example), and cities that are sometimes divided into boroughs (like in London). 

London Province: Common Misconceptions

There’s another city called London in Canada, which is in the province of Ontario. If something says “London, Ontario,” they’re talking about London in Canada, not London in the UK. 

What do I put for “State and Province” in London? 

graphic of what to write on forms that asks for "state or province" when you live in London UK

Some forms you need to fill out (when placing orders online, for example) will ask for “Province,” or “state and province.” 

This just means that the form isn’t tailored to UK residents. What they mean by “province” in this case is Greater London, which is the “county” that London sits in. Your package will get to the right place if you put “London” for city and “Greater London” for state or province. 

3. Is London a Town? 

No, London is not a town. London is a city. A town is usually smaller, and a city is usually larger, though different countries use different designations. 

What do I Put for “Town” if I live in London? 

graphic of what to write for town when a form asks you for town, state and/or province and you live in London UK

If a form, especially one from another country, asks for “town and state” and you live in London, you can adapt your response to fit the context of the form:

  • Town: You can write “London.”
  • State: Since the UK doesn’t have states, you can write “N/A” (which stands for “Not Applicable”) or “Greater London,” which is the administrative region encompassing London.

If the form also asks for a country, make sure to specify “United Kingdom” or “UK.”

However, it’s always a good idea to check with the organization or entity that provided the form to ensure you’re filling it out correctly, especially if it’s for official or legal purposes.

Boroughs & Postcodes 

map of london boroughs and postcodes, which are vitally important in mail and navigating london
London postcodes are super important!

Sometimes local forms from within London will ask for “borough,” and for this you need to fill in which borough you live in.

London has 32 boroughs, each with their own administration, so make sure you fill this out correctly for government forms and official documents. 

Postcodes are the most important part of any UK address. You can get the city, state, town or province all wrong and if you only have the postcode correct, your mail will always get to the right place.

super simple guide to london postcodes

Final Tips:

The next time you’re filling out a form and are stumped by what to put down for London, remember:

  • If you’re within the “Square Mile,” you’re in the City of London, but your address works the same way that the rest of Greater London addresses do.
  • If you’re anywhere in the broader metropolis, from Hounslow to Hackney, you’re in London, which is a city in the “state” or “province” of Greater London. 
  • And if the form asks for a county? “Greater London” is your best bet.
  • If the form asks for a state or province, put “Greater London.” 
  • If the form asks for a town, you can write “London.”

Is London a City? FAQ:

London is in which country? 

London is in England, which is in the UK. Both the UK and the countries within it are countries. Yeah, it’s confusing.

How many cities are in London? 

Two: London (sometimes called “Greater London”) and the City of London, which is its own entity separate in government and administration from Greater London.

Is London a city or a State? 

London is a city, not a state. Greater London can be considered a “state” or “county” for mail and address purposes.

Is London a city or a County? 

For address purposes, it’s kind of both. If a form asks you for “county” and you live in London, write “Greater London” for the county.

Is the City of London outside the UK? 

No. This is a common misconception because the City of London is a separate entity from Greater London. But as the City of London is within London which is within the UK, the city of London is part of the UK.

Can I put London as a town?

Yes. For mail and form purposes, you can put London as the “town” and “Greater London” as the city, state, or province.

What does borough mean in London?

A “borough” in London is a word used to designate different areas of London. London has 32 boroughs, each with their own local administration, It’s a way of dividing and managing the massive area of Greater London and its large population.

What is the City of London called? 

The City of London is either called “The City of London,” “The City,” or “the Square Mile.”

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