The postal code in English
(Use of postal codes in English)
How is the postal code written in English?
Regarding the spelling and form of postal codes, there is a small difference between British and American English. Additionally, the term for designating the postal code is different: In American English, zip code is used; in British English, postcode and postal code are standard. Compare in detail:
- The British postal code is divided into two groups of letters and numbers. The first group represents the city (the place) or region, and the second group embodies the address. Examples of typical British style:
- MK7 6AJ
- RM10 5RL
- The postcode in the USA is called zip code and consists of five digits. Furthermore, the two-letter abbreviation for the respective federal state precedes the code. Examples of American usage:
- CA 95383
- AL 54677
North American states (USA) with their abbreviations
| Abbreviation | State (USA) |
|---|---|
| AL | Alabama |
| AK | Alaska |
| AR | Arkansas |
| AZ | Arizona |
| CA | California |
| CO | Colorado |
| CT | Connecticut |
| DE | Delaware |
| FL | Florida |
| GA | Georgia |
| HI | Hawaii |
| IA | Iowa |
| ID | Idaho |
| IL | Illinois |
| IN | Indiana |
| KS | Kansas |
| KY | Kentucky |
| LA | Louisiana |
| MA | Massachusetts |
| MD | Maryland |
| ME | Maine |
| MI | Michigan |
| MN | Minnesota |
| MO | Missouri |
| MS | Mississippi |
| MT | Montana |
| NC | North Carolina |
| ND | North Dakota |
| NE | Nebraska |
| NH | New Hampshire |
| NJ | New Jersey |
| NM | New Mexico |
| NV | Nevada |
| NY | New York |
| OH | Ohio |
| OK | Oklahoma |
| OR | Oregon |
| PA | Pennsylvania |
| RI | Rhode Island |
| SC | South Carolina |
| SD | South Dakota |
| TN | Tennessee |
| TX | Texas |
| UT | Utah |
| VA | Virginia |
| VT | Vermont |
| WA | Washington |
| WI | Wisconsin |
| WV | West Virginia |
| WY | Wyoming |
Further explanations referring to the ‘Postal code’
The following explanations are related to the topic ‘Spelling of the postal code (postcode; zip code) in British and American English’ and may help you as well: