PAF stands for Postcode Address File — the definitive record of every deliverable address in the United Kingdom. Maintained by Royal Mail and updated continuously, it's the reference businesses trust to confirm that an address is real, complete and correctly formatted.
What PAF contains
- Every UK delivery address (residential and business)
- Organisation names for commercial premises
- Building names and numbers, streets and localities
- Post towns and the full set of UK postcodes
Who uses PAF and why
Ecommerce stores use PAF for fast checkout; logistics firms use it to reduce failed deliveries; finance and insurance use it for KYC and risk; the public sector uses it for service delivery. Access it via PAF data access or the PAF API.
Learn more
Read what PAF data contains, how often PAF is updated, or return to the PAF guide hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is Royal Mail PAF?
PAF stands for Postcode Address File — Royal Mail's official, continuously updated database of around 31 million UK delivery addresses and 1.8 million postcodes.
What is PAF used for?
PAF powers postcode lookup, address autocomplete, verification, standardisation and delivery routing across ecommerce, logistics, finance and the public sector.
Is PAF the same as a postcode database?
PAF is the authoritative UK postcode and address database. Free postcode lists exist but lack PAF's completeness, accuracy and update frequency.
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