A UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number) is a number — up to 12 digits — assigned by Ordnance Survey to every addressable location in Great Britain. Unlike address text, a UPRN never changes, making it the gold standard for matching and linking property records across systems.
Why UPRNs matter
Address strings are messy — abbreviations, typos and formatting all vary. A UPRN gives every property a single source of truth, so data from billing, CRM, GIS and government can be joined reliably.
UPRN vs UDPRN vs postcode
A UDPRN identifies a Royal Mail delivery point; a UPRN identifies an addressable property in OS data. Both go further than a postcode. See what a delivery point is for the related concept.
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Frequently asked questions
What is a UPRN?
A UPRN (Unique Property Reference Number) is a permanent, unique identifier assigned to every addressable location in Great Britain by Ordnance Survey, allowing systems to reference a property unambiguously.
What is a UPRN used for?
UPRNs are used to join address records across systems, link property data, support GIS and planning, and keep records accurate even when an address text changes.
How is a UPRN different from a postcode?
A postcode covers a group of addresses, while a UPRN identifies a single specific property — making it far more precise for data matching.
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