Launched in 1983 , this adds a hyphen and four extra digits to identify even smaller units like a specific city block, an office building, or even a single floor within a skyscraper. Digital "USPS.zip" Files
Use all capital letters and avoid punctuation like periods or commas. USPS.zip
Use the USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool to verify the correct 5-digit or ZIP+4 code for any address. Launched in 1983 , this adds a hyphen
The ZIP code should always follow the state abbreviation on the last line of the address block. How to Send a Letter or Postcard: Domestic - USPS The ZIP code should always follow the state
Introduced on , the ZIP ( Zone Improvement Plan ) code was designed to modernize mail delivery by enabling automated sorting. Before its adoption, mail passed through 17 sorting steps; the code reduced this significantly by providing a geographic "map" within a few digits. The 5-Digit Core:
Indicate regional areas or a Sectional Center Facility (SCF) , which acts as a central sorting hub.
Represents a broad geographic area of the country (e.g., "0" for the Northeast, "9" for the West Coast).