Decoding London Postcodes, The Easy Way

Trying to figure out a London zip code for travel or mail? You won’t find it.

Zip codes are uniquely American, and London uses postcodes.

These look very different from the American 5-digit numeric codes, and they’re confusing for foreigners at first. When I first moved to London from America, I had no idea what I was looking at.

But they’re easy to learn, and I’ll teach you. Here’s how to interpret a London postcode and use them correctly.

What Are Postcodes in London?

Cover image styled to look like a letter with a UK stamp. On the example address the postcode W1-5DT is underlined with text reading "this is the postcode."

In London and the UK, the postcode is the last part of the address, right after the city. For example: W1-5DT.

A London postcode, unlike American zip codes or Indian pin codes, are alphanumeric, meaning they contain both letters and numbers. These codes are used to identify specific blocks in London.

In the United States these are called Zip Codes, in India these are called Pincodes, and other countries have their own names for them.

What’s the London Postcode?

postcode map of london with all postcode geographic signifiers for every borough, such as "N1", "SW23," etc. — The letter codes that make up the first part of a postcode: map for all of London. *via Wikimedia Commons*

There’s not just one London postcode. Every single street in London has a different postcode.

This city is massive, so postcodes for every address are divided into number and letter codes.

Each city block has its own postcode (and sometimes more than one).

How to Read a London Postcode

chart explaining london postcodes with the example postcode: "W1-5DU". The general geographic area is the first letter (W), the specific geographic area is the first number (1), and the following number and letters are the specific street (5DU).

A typical London postcode looks like this: W1-5DU.

It consists of two parts: the outward code and the inward code. The outward code is the general geographic area and specific geographic area.

The last part of the code (inward code) – the last 3 numbers and letters – signify a specific city block.

First Letter: General Area

Title text reads: "London postcodes decoded." An example postcode "W1-5DU" is analyzed with colorful graphics and text explaining what the first letter of a london postcode means for navigating london. "W" means the general geographic area, corresponding to West.

The first part of the London post code, the outward code, starts with one or two letters. This identifies the general area (in this case, W stands for West London).

N or NW= North London
E= East London
W= West London
S, SE, or SW= South London
EC or WC= Central London
Other outward codes not starting with these letters are unique to areas in Greater London.

First Number: Geographic Region

Colorful infographic explaining what the first number of a london post code means: following the geographic signifier of N, S, E or W, the first number represents the specific area within the borough.

A 1 or 2 digit number follows the letter (in this case, the number 1).

Each geographic area (West, or North, etc.) is subdivided into numbered regions.

West London will be divided into W1, W2, W3, and so on.

Areas in Northwest London start with NW: NW1, NW2, or NW3, and so on.

Does the number mean anything? Yes, and it’s not only good for delivering mail.

Typically, the number 1 will be closest to the center of London, and the biggest numbers, like N20, will be the farthest away from the city center.

So if you’re in N1 and the place you want to go is in N20, it’s going to be far away. This is a quick and easy way to understand how far away something is – just by looking at the number code.

Inward Code: Specific Block

Colorful infographic explaining what the second half of a London postcode means. The portion "5DU" after the dash corresponds to a specific city block, which each contain their own unique number and letter codes.

The second part of the code – the inward code – is made up of one number and two letters, which identify the specific city block (in this case, 5DU).

Each side of a city block has its own inward code, so there may be 15 homes that all have the same exact postcode, because they are all on the same side of the city block with that same inward code.

Map explaining where each London post code refers to. One whole side of a city block is generally just one postcode, differentiated by housing numbers. the opposite side of a city block will have a different postcode altogether. The example postcode area is circled on the map.

For example, a postcode in North London might look like: N15-5FR. One whole side of the block will have that postcode.

A postcode in Southeast London might look like this: SE4-6JW, and that code will apply to each building on the whole block.

Since homes share the same postcode, the only way you’ll know which house on the block you need is by knowing the street address.

Map illustrating a postal code area that covers one half of a city block. The opposite side of the city block will have a different postcode.

Do these outward codes mean anything? Not particularly. They’re really more of a way for mail and deliveries to reach the right place.

You can’t tell much of anything about a place by looking at its outward code.

It’s the inward code – the first part of the postcode – that matters most for navigating London.

What is the Central London Post Code?

Central London postcodes are the same as the rest of London: they’re unique to the city block, so there are unlimited combinations. There’s not just one central London postcode.

Generally, a Central London postcode begins with either WC (West Central), EC (East Central), N (North), NW (North West), SE (South East), SW (South West), or W (West).

The central London postcode you need could start with any of these letters, and it’s a wide area.

If you don’t know the postcode, the best way is to look up the street address on Google Maps and see what postcode comes up.

Navigating London, Easily.

teal background with graphic of London travel guide on ipad. Text says "Planning your london trip? The easiest way to do it is right here." Button graphic with "learn more"

Greater London Post Codes

Not all of the postal codes of London are included in North, West, East, and South.

Some areas in Greater London (like London suburbs) have their own geographical signifier.

The central London postcodes are the ones in the very middle of the map that start with N, S, E, and W.

Areas outside of the North, South, East and West London postcodes have their own signifiers.

So a postcode in Twickenham, for example, might look like: TW3-5UB.

The Greater London postcodes are:

EN (Enfield)
HA (Harrow)
IG (Ilford)
KT (Kingston upon Thames)
RM (Romford)
SM (Sutton)
TW (Twickenham)
UB (Uxbridge)
WD (Watford)

What are London Postcodes Used For?

London postcodes are used for several purposes, including:

Mail Delivery: The most obvious use of a postcode is for mail delivery. Postcodes help to ensure that letters and parcels are delivered to the correct address.
Navigation: Postcodes can also be used for navigation. If you enter a postcode into a satnav or mapping app, it will take you directly to the correct city block. Of course, you’ll need to know the house or building number to find exactly where you’re going.
Local Services: Many local services, such as libraries, schools, and hospitals, use postcodes to identify their catchment areas.

Is There a London Zip Code?

There is no London zip code – there are only London postal codes.

In the USA, zip codes start with numbers, and generally cover a very wide area. The signifier of “97” – for example, covers the entire state of Oregon, so all buildings in Oregon have a zip code starting with 97.

In London and the UK, postcodes start with letters and often cover a much smaller area. With London postcodes, the signifier “N” only covers a specific area of North London.

How to Use Postcodes in Daily Life

Image of a London street in springtime, with the iconic London street sign attached to a brick wall reading "London borough of Islington, Moon Street, N1"

As a Londoner myself, I find London postal codes to be incredibly useful and practical in my everyday life. They make navigating the city a breeze by providing a clear and organized system to locate specific areas.

The most useful aspect of London postcodes is that they prevent you from traveling to the wrong place. Since London is so big, there are often two streets with the same name, and even two places with the same building number and street name.

But if you plug in the post code and cross check the address, you’ll never go to the wrong place.

Learn Your London Postcodes!

London postal codes can seem confusing at first, but once you understand how they work, they become an essential tool for navigating the city.

By understanding the different areas and codes, you’ll know exactly where you’re going. Your mail will never get lost, you’ll know how far away everything is, and it’ll make navigation a breeze.

FAQ

What is the London Pincode?

In London and the UK we use postcodes, not pincodes. But they serve the same purpose: identifying geographic areas for mail delivery and navigation.

What is a “valid” UK postcode?

A valid UK postcode is in the format I’ve explained above, such as: N1-8DU. If you’re getting the error message “invalid postcode,” sometimes your browser settings or website settings are incorrect.

If you’re shopping online (either in the UK or from a UK retailer) but from another country, check that your settings are ticked to “UK” or “GBP”.

Also, make sure the website you’re shopping in actually ships to the UK. If you still have trouble, contact the retailer.

How do I find my postcode?

There are a number of ways you can find out your postcode. But the easiest way is to find your location on google maps, locate the address, and find the postcode listed next to the city in the address section.