A postcode area is the broadest level of the UK postcode system — the leading letters of a postcode. There are 121 areas in total, each typically named after a major town or city.
Common postcode areas
| Code | Covers |
|---|---|
| AB | Aberdeen |
| B | Birmingham |
| BS | Bristol |
| CF | Cardiff |
| EH | Edinburgh |
| G | Glasgow |
| L | Liverpool |
| LS | Leeds |
| M | Manchester |
| NE | Newcastle |
| N | London North |
| NW | London North West |
| SE | London South East |
| SW | London South West |
| S | Sheffield |
| BT | Belfast (Northern Ireland) |
From area to exact address
Knowing the area is only the start — to resolve a full address you need PAF data. Use the Postcode Lookup API or return to the PAF guide hub.
Frequently asked questions
How many postcode areas are in the UK?
There are 121 postcode areas in the UK, each identified by one or two letters such as L (Liverpool), M (Manchester) or EH (Edinburgh).
What is a postcode area?
A postcode area is the broadest level of the UK postcode hierarchy — the leading letters of a postcode that map to a major town, city or region.
What does the postcode area letter mean?
Each area code is usually derived from a major town or city name, like B for Birmingham or G for Glasgow, and groups all the districts within that region.
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