The Last 4 Digits on ZIP Codes Explained

It is likely that you have learned the ZIP code in kindergarten, when you learned about your address and what to do to tie your shoe, and how to count the time.

It's an important phone number. It's how you will receive your mail. In some instances, it is a way of distinguishing your address from a different address within the same city that has the same street name. Perhaps it was even more important to you due to the fact that it offers the feeling of belonging to other people living in the area.

No matter what, you have the 5-digit ZIP code. But what's with those random four numbers that you see on the other side?

Are you ready to find out what the last four numbers on ZIP codes have to do? Let's go.

First, the ZIP Code Explained

Before the last four digits of the ZIP code are clarified, we'll go over an overview of how to use the ZIP code.

The ZIP code was introduced into existence in the early 1960s when the volume of mail was growing significantly in suburban and urban regions. The rapid growth of mail volumes caused the U.S. Postal Service under massive pressure however, it was unable to stop in order to determine what to do for the next step.

Five-digit codes were assigned to all addresses within the United States. The first digit refers to a large area like a particular state or a group of states. For instance, the ZIP codes of Minnesota and Wisconsin begin by using "5" as well as New York, Delaware, and Pennsylvania all have the same "1".

The second number refers to an area or city, and the last two numbers indicate a smaller number of addresses in the region.

Last 4 Digits on ZIP Codes

The United States continued to grow and cities continued to expand. In the 1980s the ZIP system didn't have enough to keep mail moving.

Naturally, it was inevitable that naturally, the Postal Service decided to add additional numbers.

These are the four numbers you can see today on mail pieces that are the ZIP+4 code.

The sixth or seventh numbers that are added following the hyphen, signify the location of a building or streets, boxes, or even a huge structure with lots in delivery locations. This, naturally, makes it easier to narrow down the ZIP code even more which makes it much easier than ever before to identify or deliver your mail.

However, the numbers 6 and 7 were not enough. The two remaining numbers (eight and 9) reduce it more. The digits are known as"a "delivery segment." A delivery segment is a tiny representation of an area. It could represent an area that is as small as a particular department within a large office building.

Why Are We Just Learning About This?

Like most improvements in efficiency, progress isn't quick.

People who did not work for the Post Service didn't care about ZIP codes at all and were able to find the addition of important numbers to the lives of their loved ones to be a nuisance. Therefore, when the final four digits of ZIP codes were introduced in the early 1990s, no one was interested to know the reason.

At the same time with the release of ZIP+4 at the same time, the Postal System was availing of new technology that allowed them to sort and deliver mail more quickly. Since USPS could make use of Postnet barcode technology in order to prevent human errors, Americans were saved from needing to remember more numbers in order to send letters and pay bills.