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how does the Canadian zip code works?

A

andylawcc

Lifer
as in US, zip code starts from the North East at 00000 and increase when moving southward and westward.

so how about Canadian's, to me it seems like there's no set of patterns at all.
 
Originally posted by: minendo
Wait a minute, when did they get advanced enough up there to have zip codes?
Click to expand...

We don't have zip codes... we have postal codes. 😛

I think the first letter signifies the province somehow.
 
The postal code is this
Letter Number Letter <space> Number Letter Number

When comparing the roles of U.S. ZIP codes and Canadian postal codes, it's important to remember that there are 7.2 million possible CPCs as compared with 100,000 possible ZIP codes, although in each case many "possible" codes are unavailable because of state/province boundaries or assignment customs. Especially in urban areas, a CPC represents a much smaller area than a ZIP code. Comparison with ZIP+4 codes is closer to the mark.
 
Originally posted by: desy
The postal code is this
Letter Number Letter <space> Number Letter Number
Click to expand...

Yup, and it is done by region, but I don't know what the code is.

Toronto starts with M. That's about all I know.

It's more precise than a zip code, too; we end up with maybe 4-5 houses to a postal code for the most part; so a name and a postal code is actually enough to get most things delivered, though I don't suggest counting on it😉
 
Originally posted by: desy
The postal code is this
Letter Number Letter <space> Number Letter Number
Click to expand...
Yep, and FWIW each house gets a postal code. Technically, I think the address is only there in case there's a problem with the postal code.

edit: Is it 4 to 5 houses with a postal code? I remember having this discussion with neighbours when I was younger and all my next door neighbours had different postal codes. You may be right though, the current scheme can only handle 17,000,000 codes or so.
 
I have no idea why i looked this up...but anyways...
Canada Postal Code Areas

* List of A Postal Codes of Canada - Newfoundland and Labrador
* List of B Postal Codes of Canada - Nova Scotia
* List of C Postal Codes of Canada - Prince Edward Island
* D is not used
* List of E Postal Codes of Canada - New Brunswick
* F is not used
* List of G Postal Codes of Canada - Eastern Quebec
* List of H Postal Codes of Canada - Montreal
* I is not used
* List of J Postal Codes of Canada - Western Quebec
* List of K Postal Codes of Canada - Eastern Ontario
* List of L Postal Codes of Canada - Southcentral Ontario
* List of M Postal Codes of Canada - Toronto
* List of N Postal Codes of Canada - Western Ontario
* O is not used
* List of P Postal Codes of Canada - Northern Ontario
* Q is not used
* List of R Postal Codes of Canada - Manitoba
* List of S Postal Codes of Canada - Saskatchewan
* List of T Postal Codes of Canada - Alberta
* U is not used
* List of V Postal Codes of Canada - British Columbia
* W is not used
* List of X Postal Codes of Canada - Northwest Territories and Nunavut
* List of Y Postal Codes of Canada - Yukon
* Z is not used
 
Basically A is the most eastern point, then heads west. Which makes sense as the day starts in the east and ends in the west.
Also the skipped letters might be for if postal codes run out...or if the east gets some much larger population. I dunno.

So M = Toronto makes sense, it's in the middle of the country, middle of the alphabet.

notice there are 24*10*24*10*24*10 options for postal codes. That's 13.8 million options. Keep in mind that whole towns and blocks can be a postal code. So there are plenty left... Beats the US's zip code system...what is that, like 100,000 options?
 
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Originally posted by: desy
The postal code is this
Letter Number Letter <space> Number Letter Number
Click to expand...
Yep, and FWIW each house gets a postal code. Technically, I think the address is only there in case there's a problem with the postal code.

edit: Is it 4 to 5 houses with a postal code? I remember having this discussion with neighbours when I was younger and all my next door neighbours had different postal codes. You may be right though, the current scheme can only handle 17,000,000 codes or so.
Click to expand...

usually one side of a street gets a postal code, and the other side gets a different one. Probably works different with long streets.
 
notice there are 24*10*24*10*24*10 options for postal codes. That's 13.8 million options. Keep in mind that whole towns and blocks can be a postal code. So there are plenty left... Beats the US's zip code system...what is that, like 100,000 options?
Click to expand...

The US Zip +4 system (9 total digits) would provide a billion different zip codes.
 
Originally posted by: RaynorWolfcastle
Originally posted by: desy
The postal code is this
Letter Number Letter <space> Number Letter Number
Click to expand...
Yep, and FWIW each house gets a postal code. Technically, I think the address is only there in case there's a problem with the postal code.

edit: Is it 4 to 5 houses with a postal code? I remember having this discussion with neighbours when I was younger and all my next door neighbours had different postal codes. You may be right though, the current scheme can only handle 17,000,000 codes or so.
Click to expand...

I'm pretty sure it's not per house but either a group of houses or per block.
 
Originally posted by: CubicZirconia
notice there are 24*10*24*10*24*10 options for postal codes. That's 13.8 million options. Keep in mind that whole towns and blocks can be a postal code. So there are plenty left... Beats the US's zip code system...what is that, like 100,000 options?
Click to expand...

The US Zip +4 system (9 total digits) would provide a billion different zip codes.
Click to expand...

Also, a zip+4 always points to one exact address, afaik. A name and zip+4 will get something delivered. (maybe you don't even need a name :Q)

edit: nope, I'm wrong

The 4-digit add-on number identifies a geographic segment within the 5-digit delivery area, such as a city block, office building, individual high-volume receiver of mail, or any other unit that would aid efficient mail sorting and delivery.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by: andylawcc
as in US, zip code starts from the North East at 00000 and increase when moving southward and westward.
Click to expand...


actually it ziz-zags north and south as you move west. I seem to remember hearing that at least.
 
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