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What is a postcode sector?
A postcode sector combines a postcode area, a postcode district and a single character indicating the location's inward code. For example 'SW1A 0' is a sector which is made up of 'SW' which indicates South West London. This area has 139 sectors in it so the district, once focused into 'SW1A' there are only 3 sectors in this area and these are marked with an inward code to narrow this down even further to a more specific geographical area. These are marked numerically, with the district including three sectors numbered 0, 1 & 2.
Whilst it varies across the UK, there are about 3000 addresses within each sector. There can be up to 10 different sectors within a postcode district and these are numbered 0-9. The sector information is used by the Royal Mail to define the local area delivery office that the post should be distributed to.
Postcode sector list providers
Here are a few sources where you can download a list of every postcode sector
Postcode sector map providers
Here are a few sources where you can download or purchase a map or check out our postcode mapping guide here.
The breakdown of a UK postcode
All UK postcodes are made up of a range of different letters and numbers and follow this format: A postcode area, district, sector, unit.