Difference Between ZIP Code and Postal Code

The key difference between ZIP code and postal code is that postal code is a system of assigning different codes to geographical locations to make sorting of mail easier while ZIP code is a system of postal code in the US and the Philippines.

Though the advent of SMS and email has adversely affected the business of physical mails, they still constitute a bulk of messages and letters sent and received across the world. In fact, email can never substitute a formal letter which has its own sanctity and importance. Nearly all official and governmental communication are in the form of physical mails; companies also prefer to send and receive formal mails.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is ZIP Code
3. What is Postal Code
4. Side by Side Comparison – ZIP Code vs Postal Code in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Postal Code?

The increasing volume of mails necessitated the use of a postal code that could make sorting of letters faster and simpler. USSR was the first country to introduce postal codes. Gradually, every country in the world resorted to these codes depending upon its geographical conditions. In some countries, postal codes are merely series of numeral character while in others, they contain both alpha and numeric characters.

Moreover, it is interesting to know that the postal code in India is known as PIN code and stands for Postal Index Number. It was introduced in 1972. Moreover, it consists of a 6 digit code that reveals the exact location of the mailing address.

Postal codes are usually assigned to geographical locations; they are also assigned to customers or business entities receiving a bulk of mail such as government institutions and large corporations.

What is ZIP Code?

ZIP code is a system of postal codes used extensively in the US and in the Philippines. ZIP code, as it is used in the US, is often converted into a barcode (Postnet) that is printed on the envelope. This barcode makes it easier for electronic sorting machines to quickly separate letter according to the geographical locations. ZIP is an acronym that stands for Zonal Improvement Plan. This was introduced to make mailing faster, simpler and more efficient.

The earlier ZIP code contained 5 numeric letters. However, in 1980, a more extensive system called ZIP+4 was introduced. This contained an additional 4 numeric letters. Furthermore, ZIP+4 made sorting easier by giving more precise identification of the location.

What is the difference between ZIP Code and Postal Code?

Postal code is a system of assigning different codes to geographical locations to make sorting of mail easier. Different countries use different postal codes. However, the ZIP code is a system of postal code in the US and the Philippines.  This is the key difference between zip code and postal code. Moreover, postal code is known as PIN code in India.

The difference between zip code and postal code is as follows:

Summary – ZIP Code vs Postal Code

Postal code is a system of assigning different codes to geographical locations to make sorting of mail easier. However, ZIP code is a system of postal code in the US and the Philippines. This is the key difference between ZIP code and postal code.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2 digit postcode Australia” By GfK GeoMarketing – GfK GeoMarketing (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “ZIP Code zones” By Denelson83 – Own work, based on Image:ZIP_code_zones.png (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia