ZIP+4 Code™ Lookup, Get Last 4 Digits of 9-Digit ZIP Code (2024)

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A ZIP+4 Code is a 4-digit code appended to a standard 5-digit ZIP that helps the USPS sort, route, and deliver mail more efficiently. The last 4 digits of these 9-digit ZIP Codes usually represent 6-20 delivery points on a USPS carrier route.

ZIP Plus 4 Codes help to prevent misdelivered, lost, delayed, and returned mail. Including those last 4 digits of the ZIP Code can reduce delivery time by as much as 2 days.

Full 9-Digit ZIP Code Lookup

Also called plus-four codes, 9-digit ZIP Codes, and full ZIP Codes, you can look up USPS ZIP+4 Codes using various tools. Smarty provides some easy-to-use options for single ZIP+4 Code lookups by address, ZIP+4 Codes in bulk (up to millions at a time), and ZIP plus 4 lookup via API. You can try them out here, or read on to learn more about ZIP+4 Codes.

Bonus: We'll also validate, standardize, and correct your addresses with each ZIP plus 4 code lookup too.

In this article; we'll cover:

  • Find My ZIP+4 Code or Any ZIP+4 (video)
  • What Are ZIP+4 Codes?
  • Full 9 Digit ZIP Code Lookup Benefits (ZIP+4)
  • How ZIP Codes Became 9-Digit-ZIP Codes
  • ZIP+4 Code Database
  • What Is My Full ZIP Code?

Video: Find My ZIP+4 Code or Any ZIP+4

Quickly find the last 4 digits of ZIP Code numbers for almost any address in the United States by watching this video.

What Are ZIP+4 Codes?

ZIP+4 Codes are 4-digit codes appended to the original 5-digit USPS ZIP Codes. Using the full ZIP Code with the extra 4 digits when mailing via the USPS ensures the fastest, most accurate mailing possible.

Our new infographic, “The 411 on ZIP+4,” explains tons about ZIP Codes and ZIP+4 Codes. You’ll learn how they work, why they’re useful, and other interesting facts. Click the image or this link to read it now, since it’s the only way to find out how many LEGO Harry Potter Hogwarts Castles you could build if each US address was a LEGO brick.

ZIP plus 4 lookup tools don't just do a full ZIP Code lookup. Before you get the +4 Code, your address is taken through the full address standardization and validation process confirm the address is mailable.

These codes indicate a specific delivery route, meaning the actual path the mail truck would travel in a single drop-off. Usually, this comprises 5 to 20 homes or locations. The USPS also assigns ZIP+4 Codes to PO Boxes. Typically, each PO Box gets its own +4 Code, which often matches the box number.

The extra 4 digits on ZIP Codes identify segments of fluid postal delivery routes. They're not permanent lines, so a 9 digits ZIP Code can change regularly. Five-digit ZIP Codes also change, but they do so infrequently; it's less likely that you will live in a ZIP Code when it changes. Not so for the last 4 digits of Zip Code numbers.

ZIP+4 Code™ Lookup, Get Last 4 Digits of 9-Digit ZIP Code (3)

The +4 on a ZIP Code can change as frequently as every 30 days. In fact, 5% of all addresses get their ZIP+4 Code changed each month. Quantity of postal employees, new construction, remapping delivery areas, etc., are just a few things that cause ZIP+4 Code changes.

These are the most up-to-date stats for USPS ZIP+4 Codes, 5-digit ZIP Codes, and USPS delivery points as of this writing in September 2023:

  • 44,255,314 - Total USPS ZIP+4 Codes in the US
  • 7,282,402 - Total USPS ZIP+4 Codes dedicated to PO Boxes (one ZIP+4 Code per PO Box)
  • 36,972,918 - Total USPS ZIP+4 Codes excluding PO Boxes (conventional ZIP+4 Codes)
  • 39,969 - Total USPS 5-Digit ZIP Codes
  • 925 - Average number of USPS ZIP+4 Codes per 5-Digit ZIP Code
  • 181,086,464 - Total USPS delivery points in the US
  • 4.1 - Average delivery points per ZIP+4 Code (excluding PO Boxes)

Full 9 Digit ZIP Code Benefits (ZIP+4 Lookup)

ZIP+4 Code™ Lookup, Get Last 4 Digits of 9-Digit ZIP Code (4)

Here are a few benefits of looking up ZIP+4 Codes/9-digit ZIP Codes as a part of your address data management or shipping processes.

  • Faster Shipping - Each ZIP+4 Code represents segments of delivery routes that are usually within a single block of the desired delivery point. That simple 9-digit number makes routing more efficient since the USPS knows which mail person will put the letter in the mailbox. Completing ZIP+4s on your mail can speed up processing and delivery, sometimes by as many as two days.
  • Reduce Lost Mail & Misdeliveries - More efficient routing also means fewer opportunities for mistakes along the way.
  • Less Returned Mail - Obtaining ZIP+4 Codes requires validation; that means the address is a valid delivery point. It also means the address information is standardized to the USPS address format. Mail delivery is more reliable with a valid, standardized address with ZIP4 Code since the address data is clearly understood.
  • Save Money with Bulk Mailings - If you send at least 50 packages or more than 200-500 pieces of mail, you may be able to qualify for commercial mailing discounts. By adding ZIP+4 Codes, Delivery Point Barcodes, and sorting/bundling your mail, you can get discounts up to 5% to nearly 60% off the prices you'd pay at the post office.
  • Cleaner Address Data - Addresses must be validated, standardized, and corrected before you get the ZIP+4 Code. So, you get much more than a pretty 9-digit ZIP Code; you get a clean, standard address. Clean, standard addresses are easy to sort and compare. Comparing a table of standardized, verified addresses allows you to identify duplicates, delete redundancies or merge records easily.
  • Enriched Address Data - When you give Smarty an address and ask for the ZIP+4 Code, we give you the ZIP+4 Code along with the validated, standardized address. We also provide up to 45 data points about the address, including county information, lat/long coordinates, time zone, whether the address is residential or commercial, and more data that can be used for business intelligence and to understand your mail recipients better.

That's right. Your mail can show up faster, cheaper, and more reliably if you label things right, plus you get less returned mail. Bet you're ready to do your first full ZIP Code lookup now.

Those benefits are just the beginning. If you're getting the ZIP+4 Code, you're already validating and standardizing the address and address validation improve business results across all types of organizations. Read our ebook to learn how:

How ZIP Codes Became 9-Digit-ZIP Codes

ZIP+4 Code™ Lookup, Get Last 4 Digits of 9-Digit ZIP Code (6)

Fully understanding the last four digits of ZIP Codes requires knowing about 5-digit ZIP Codes too.

These are the codes you know. They look like this.

The Zone Improvement Plan (ZIP) was something the USPS came up with to make it easier to ship letters and packages across the country. ZIP helps divide the country into different "zones" according to the distribution of mail, which accelerates sorting and delivery.

On July 1, 1963, the Post Office Department launched the Zone Improvement Plan. At the same time, they introduced the world to Mr. ZIP or "Zippy." Zippy is the official ZIP Code mascot pictured on our ZIP Codes 101 page. They also released the ZIP Code jingle:

As the US population has increased and scattered since 1963, it's been necessary to expand the system to make room for everybody and their dog. That's where the "plus 4" part comes in. We're getting ahead of ourselves, so let's start with the basics.

If you're mailing a letter from Boston to Seattle, the mail carrier in Massachusetts doesn't care what the street address of the destination is. It's what you might call "outside his jurisdiction." He just needs to know which mail carrier to send it to so the appropriate mail carrier can get it to the address.

A postal worker can only cover so much ground on a given day. And since the USPS has a standard of delivering in the rain, sleet, or snow, that rules out the possibility of doing the service of delivery in stages (some today, some tomorrow). That means any given post office only serves what it can reach in a day. ZIP Codes reflect that.

Typically, a ZIP Code ties to a post office; by that, we mean every one of the latter has one of the former. You might think of ZIP Codes as a mailing address for a particular post office. Some handle more than one ZIP Code, but a one-on-one game plan is a standard.

It's essential to note that ZIP Codes aren't "boundaries." They're a collection of delivery routes. They don't follow geographic or administrative boundary lines; they can cross city, county, and state lines. They follow where the delivery trucks go.

Some ZIP Codes are a bit different in function. Among them are "military" ZIP Codes, which include everything from military bases (domestic or otherwise) to battleships at sea. Then there are "unique" ZIP Codes. Businesses and organizations sometimes get a dedicated ZIP Code that they don't have to share with anyone due to the volume of mail they send and receive.

These frequently benefit from bulk mailing discounts since the organization usually has a mail department that (1) presorts mail before giving it to the USPS and (2) distributes mail internally, so the USPS doesn't have to. Like standard ZIP Codes, "military" and "unique" ZIP Codes circ*mscribe their delivery area. For a more in-depth guide, visit our ZIP Codes page.

ZIP+4 Code Database

For many users, the best way to access the USPS ZIP+4 database is through a CASS Certified USPS address validation vendor. Like Smarty. Since the last four digits of ZIP Codes update frequently, even month-old data isn't reliable. Checking addresses regularly against the database will ensure your data remains clean.

The ZIP+4 Code database can be accessed free directly through the USPS site or the USPS address validation API. In our USPS APIs article, you will find a comprehensive list of uses and limitations of the USPS web-based tool and API. If you need a ZIP+4 Code Database, address validation might scratch your itch better than anything provided by the USPS. You can check out our ebook. It shows how to improve business results in your organization using address validation. Read it here:

What Is My ZIP Code with the Extra 4 Digits?

If you need an answer to, "What is my ZIP Code with the extra 4 digits?" Just click one of the buttons at the top of the page, enter your address, and get your +4 Code instantly. Just remember, it's called a ZIP+4 Code, or simply a ZIP+4.

The quiz will include three things:

  1. ZIP+4 Codes indicate delivery routes.
  2. Using ZIP+4 Codes gets your mail there faster and more accurately.
  3. We at Smarty can get you those codes.

If you want to try it on a single address, you can now use our Single Address Verification Tool. Our blindingly fast US Address Verification API provides the appropriate ZIP+4 Code for every address we process.

Or you could call us instead if you'd rather talk to an actual person. (We'd offer a fake person, but we don't have one of those on staff.) Either way, we can help you ZIP your address and ZIP it well.

ZIP+4 Code™ Lookup, Get Last 4 Digits of 9-Digit ZIP Code (2024)

FAQs

What is the last 4 digits of US zip code? ›

These last 4 digits represent specific delivery routes within delivery areas. This extra detail means an even more precise matching to a more granular level. It could represent a handful of houses on one side of a street, or even a single building that receives a high volume of mail.

What do the final four digits on the nine digit zip code identify? ›

The extra 4 digits on ZIP Codes identify segments of fluid postal delivery routes. They're not permanent lines, so a 9 digits ZIP Code can change regularly. Five-digit ZIP Codes also change, but they do so infrequently; it's less likely that you will live in a ZIP Code when it changes.

How to find the extra four numbers of a zip code? ›

Looking up a ZIP+4 with the USPS ZIP Code™ Lookup Tool

Enter the address you want to look up in the “Street Address” field. You can also enter a city and state or a ZIP code to narrow down your search. Click the “Find” button to search for the ZIP+4 code associated with the address.

What is the 9 digit zip code in the USA? ›

So, USPS created 9-digit ZIP Codes to ensure fast and accurate mailings. They indicate the actual path the mail should travel and usually they narrow down to somewhere between ten to twenty homes. Let's take the address of the Empire State Building in New York City as an example: 350 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10118.

What are the 4 numbers next to zip code? ›

Your ZIP+4 is a basic five-digit code with four digits added as an extra identifier. It helps to identify a geographic segment within the five-digit delivery area, such as a city block, a group of apartments, an individual high-volume receiver of mail, or a post office box.

How many digits are in a standard US zip 4 code? ›

Yes, when using a ZIP+4 ZIP Code, the number must consist of five digits, a hyphen (or dash), and four digits. Improperly labeled mailpieces may progress slower through the mail system and may be returned to sender if the United States Postal Service® is unable to deliver the item.

What happens if the last four digits of a zip code are wrong? ›

If the address includes the correct street name and number as well as city and state, it will get delivered to the correct address. This is a common thing postal workers see every day and we know how to handle it. The incorrect zip code may delay the letter or package a day or two but it should get there.

How many 4 digit zip codes can be made with the digits 0 9 if no digits are used more than once and the first digit Cannot be zero? ›

Number of zip-codes in question: 5,040 x 0.9 = 4,536.

What does each digit in a zip code mean? ›

ZIP Codes are numbered with the first digit representing a certain group of U.S. states, the second and third digits together representing a region in that group (or perhaps a large city) and the fourth and fifth digits representing a group of delivery addresses within that region.

How many combinations of ZIP codes are there? ›

There are 100,000 possible 5-digit zip codes if digits can be repeated. For each of the 5 digits of the zip code, there are 10 possible digits we can use (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9).

Are zip code and postal code the same? ›

ANSWER: The two codes are essentially the same in their purpose, but the term Zip code is mainly used in the USA; Postal Code is commonly used in other countries.

How many numbers are usually in a zip code? ›

A ZIP Code is a 5-digit number that specifies an individual destination post office or mail delivery area. ZIP Codes determine the destination of letters for final sorting and delivery. Each ZIP Code designates a collection of delivery routes used by mail carriers and areas serviced by the USPS.

What is an example of a zip 4? ›

The segment can be a city block, a group of apartments or other mail receiving units that could benefit from the use of an additional identifier. An example of a ZIP+4 ZIP code is 99577-0727.

How do I find my ZIP Code USA? ›

Look Up a ZIP Code
  1. By Address. Enter a corporate or residential street address, city, and state to see a specific ZIP Code. Find by Address.
  2. By City and State. Enter city and state to see all the ZIP Codes for that city. Find by City & State.
  3. Cities by ZIP Code Enter a ZIP Code to see the cities it covers.

How many different ZIP codes are possible using 9 digits? ›

There are 100,000 different Zip Codes possible using the old style (five digits) and 1,000,000,000 different Zip Codes possible using the new style (nine digits). In the old style of Zip Codes, there are 5 digits. Each digit can take on any value from 0 to 9, so there are 10 options for each digit.

What is the last zip code in the US? ›

There is no “last zip code”. The USPS makes changes to its delivery system periodically, and quite often will introduce a division of a particular zip code, making it two different (or three different) zip codes. This is done to make delivery more efficient.

What zip code is 10004? ›

ZIP code 10004 is located in southeast New York and covers a slightly less than average land area compared to other ZIP codes in the United States. It also has a large population density. The people living in ZIP code 10004 are primarily white.

What is a zip code in the United States? ›

A ZIP Code (an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan) is a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service (USPS). The term ZIP was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly (zipping along) when senders use the code in the postal address.

What major city contains the zip code 60606? ›

ZIP Code 60606
Post Office City:Chicago, IL (View All Cities)
Neighborhood:Loop
County:Cook County
Timezone:Central (4:25am)
Area code:312 (Area Code Map)
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