UK Address Lookup

London Postcode Finder

Find London boroughs, districts, coordinates, and constituencies. Search by postcode, borough, or partial prefix instantly.

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Enter a full or partial UK postcode to look up its borough, region, and more.

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Enter a postcode above to see results

Try SW1A 1AA for Buckingham Palace

understanding the map

How the London Postcode System Works

Unlike numerical zip codes, the UK postal system relies on directional letter patterns that tell you exactly where an address is located.

The Anatomy of a London Postcode

A standard London postcode is composed of two segments separated by a single space (e.g. EC1A 1BB):

  1. The Outward Code (EC1A): The first part which identifies the postal area (EC = East Central) and the specific district (1A). This is crucial for general sorting.
  2. The Inward Code (1BB): The second part which narrows the location down to a small sector of streets, a single street, or a specific major building (like Buckingham Palace or a large office block).

What is a London Zip Code?

If you are booking a flight, renting a car, or ordering goods from outside the UK, you might be asked for a London zip code. Simply write your full local postcode. The terms are interchangeable, though "postcode" is the official UK usage.

Primary London Directional Prefixes

The Greater London area is divided into eight primary postal zones based on their cardinal direction from central London. Here is a breakdown of these zones:

EC

East Central London

Zone prefix

Includes the City of London, Clerkenwell, and Barbican. The financial heart of London.

WC

West Central London

Zone prefix

Includes Bloomsbury, Covent Garden, and Holborn. Highly touristy and home to theatres.

W

West London

Zone prefix

Includes Mayfair, Soho, Paddington, and Kensington. Known for shopping and museum quarters.

E

East London

Zone prefix

Includes Shoreditch, Stratford, Bow, and Canary Wharf. Vibrant culture and tech hubs.

N

North London

Zone prefix

Includes Islington, Camden Town, Highgate, and Finchley. Leafy residential and music scenes.

NW

North West London

Zone prefix

Includes Hampstead, St John's Wood, and Wembley. Grand parks and premium properties.

SE

South East London

Zone prefix

Includes Southwark, Greenwich, Waterloo, and Lewisham. Historic maritime links.

SW

South West London

Zone prefix

Includes Westminster, Chelsea, Brixton, and Battersea. Royalty and parliament hub.

common questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How do London postcodes work?
London postcodes are divided into directional area prefixes representing their compass location in relation to central London (e.g. SW for South West, EC for East Central, N for North, WC for West Central, W for West, E for East, NW for North West, SE for South East). These are followed by a sub-district number and a random letter combination for the specific street or building block.
What is the difference between a postcode and a zip code in London?
There is no difference in function. "Postcode" is the standard term used in the UK, while "Zip Code" is used in the United States. If a website or shipping form asks for a London zip code, you should enter your London postcode (e.g., SW1A 1AA).
How do I find which borough a London postcode is in?
You can use our free postcode finder! Simply enter any full or partial postcode (such as EC1A or SE1 7PB) and our tool will retrieve the admin district (Borough), region, constituency, and precise coordinate data.
Why is there no "S" (South) postcode prefix in London?
In the original 1857 postal district map, there was an "S" (South) and "NE" (North East) prefix. However, they were abolished in the 1860s to consolidate and simplify the network. The S prefix was absorbed primarily by the South East (SE) and South West (SW) districts, and the NE was absorbed by the E district. S is now used for Sheffield.
What postcode is Buckingham Palace?
Buckingham Palace is located in the SW1A 1AA postcode district, which is in the Westminster borough of London.
Are all UK postcodes searchable with this tool?
Yes! While optimized and themed for London areas, our postcode finder utilizes the free Postcodes.io API, which supports lookups for any active UK postcode in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.