We use US Postal ZIP Codes all the time when sending products across the country to our out-of-town customers, getting in touch with friends from different states, or simply mailing birthday cards to the people we love. Yet, despite how common they are, most people don't fully understand what a ZIP code is, and how it actually works.

Perhaps the best way to describe these ZIP codes is to identify them as a type of code that was originally designed for use by the USPS in improving their efficiency delivering mail across the country. ZIP codes informed professionals of where pieces of mail needed to be sent and sorted, so that mail could be dealt with quickly and cost-effectively.

What Are US Postal ZIP Codes?

In general, most of us know the basic details of a ZIP code. These are the codes that you are asked to enter on websites when you're determining exactly how much you might need to pay for shipping, or whether a particular person delivers to your area. The US Postal ZIP Codes that we use today follow the same format that was originally introduced in 1963 – a number that made up of five digits. However, there are some instances wherein the addition of a further four digits can be used after a dash to help the USPS organize different piles of mail more precisely.

Today, these ZIP codes are used by a variety of mail and shipping companies, including DHL, the United Parcel Service, and the Fed-Ex Company. Importantly, there are different types of ZIP codes for different locations or persons. For example, aside from the standard ZIP code that most buildings have, there are also specific codes for organizations that receive large amounts of mail, PO box addresses, and military addresses.

Finding Addresses With ZIP Codes:

It's strange to think that these ZIP codes weren't actually designed to separate different parts of the U.S. Instead, these codes ignore existing boundaries throughout the states, such as cities, states, and counties, and work towards making mail delivery as simple as possible through other methods. Without a deeper understanding of ZIP codes, it can be difficult to determine an area or time zone just by looking at a ZIP code, as many of these details actually overlap. That's why so many individuals have begun to use specialized directories when attempting to find out information about the ZIP codes that are used within various parts of the country.

If you're looking for more information on the ZIP codes, a directory website could be a good place to start your search, as these resources allow you to enter your ZIP code and receive a host of information about the location that the code in question refers to. This can give you a better insight into how far you would have to pay for your mail to travel if the ZIP code is from a different state, and may even give you an insight into directions you haven't understood before.