Manchester UK Postal Codes: What is a Manchester Postcode?
Are you wondering how many Manchester postal codes there are? Or how do you format a Manchester postcode?
If you want to send post to an address in Manchester and you’re not familiar with the UK postcode system, it can be difficult to know where to start.
With family overseas I know how important it is to understand the postcode system for the country you want to send mail to. I was born in Manchester and studied at Manchester University, so I’m excited to share this article with you.
I’ll cover how the Manchester postcode is different from a zip code and what the different parts of a postcode are made up of.
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Pro tip: Manchester postal codes are subject to change by the Royal Mail at any time. Check the postcode with them before you send anything.
What are Manchester postcodes and why do you need one?
Using a postal code to address letters and packages to the UK is an important step in getting your mail to the right place. Postal codes in Manchester and the UK are known as postcodes and are used in a similar way to zip codes in the US.
A Manchester postcode will mean that your post has a better chance of arriving to the correct part of Manchester. For example, using a Manchester postcode can help if there are two similar street names but they’re located in different parts of Manchester. Think how many ‘High Streets’ and ‘Station Roads’ there are in the UK, and you get the idea.
A Manchester postcode is the last part of the address and is made up of a code of letters and numbers. The postcode tells Royal Mail whereabouts in the UK the post needs to be taken to and which delivery round it needs to be added to.
If you forget to use a postal code for Manchester, the Royal Mail need to try to work out where you wanted it to go. If they can’t do that, and there’s no return address, they will send it to the Returns Centre. This houses around 20 million pieces of mail that couldn’t be delivered. So make sure to use a postcode.
Structure of Manchester postal codes
Postal codes (or zip codes) for Manchester are typically between five and seven letters and numbers. They’re made up of two parts, with a space after the first part. This is the same for all UK postcodes, for example postal codes of Glasgow follow the same structure.
The first part is known as the ‘outcode’. This tells the Royal Mail that the post needs taking to Manchester.
The second part of the postcode is called the ‘incode’ and it identifies which of the many postal routes in Manchester that piece of post needs to be added to, to get delivered.
How to format a Manchester postal code
Write the Manchester postcode after the last line of the address. If you’re sending mail from overseas, add it after the last line of the address but before you write ‘UK’ or ‘England’.
When you’re adding a postal code for Manchester to your post, you need to write it as the first part of the code, then a space and then the second part of the code.
The space is important otherwise similar but different codes can get misread.
Manchester postcode example
2 Coronation Street
Weatherfield
Manchester
M10 9KC
The first part of the postcode, M10, is the ‘outcode’ and indicates the area of Manchester it relates to. That’s followed by a space.
The last part, 9KC, is the ‘incode’ which shows which delivery route the item needs to be part of.
Fun fact about Manchester postal codes
You won’t find ‘M10’ on a map of postal codes in Manchester. That’s because it was allocated to ‘Coronation Street’, the name of a fictional street in Manchester that features in the famous TV series of the same name.
The address and postcode in the example above are for the fictional Coronation Street, Weatherfield, Manchester.
How to find a postcode for Manchester
Manchester typically only refers to the central area of the city of Manchester, also known as the Local Authority District of Manchester. However, when many people mention Manchester, they’re also referring to the larger geographical area of Greater Manchester.
As the third largest county in the UK, Greater Manchester has a large population of 2,867,769 (census of 2011). Whereas the city of Manchester has a population of just 552,000.
With so many residents you’ll want to make sure your post gets to the the right person.
To find a postcode in Manchester UK, you can:
- Check with the sender.
- Look it up on the Royal Mail postcode finder website.
- Ask for help at your local Post Office branch.
List of Manchester postcodes (Manchester zip codes)
Manchester UK postcodes
There are currently 48 postcode districts in Manchester. However, postcodes are subject to change.
The postcodes for the Local Authority District of the city of Manchester start with certain ‘outcodes’.
Manchester postcodes are not split strictly by ward (administrative area). Some wards use a range of postcodes, for example Deansgate has M1, M2 and M3 postcodes.
Here are some examples of the popular wards the Manchester ‘outcodes’ cover, but this isn’t a complete list.
M1 – Picadilly
M2 – Deansgate
M4 – Cheetham
M8 – Crumpsall
M9 – Harpurhey, Higher Blackley
M11 – Ancoats & Beswick, Clayton & Openshaw
M12 – Ardwick, Levenshulme, Longsight
M13 – Ardwick, Longsight
M14 – Fallowfield, Rusholme
M15 – Hulme
M16 – Moss Side, Whalley Range
M18 – Gorton & Abbey Hay
M19 – Burnage
M20 – Didsbury, Withington
M21 – Chorlton, Chorlton Park
M22 – Northenden, Sharston
M23 – Baguley, Brooklands
M40 – Charlestown, Miles Platting & Newton Heath, Moston
M60 – Typically PO boxes
M90 – Manchester Airport, Woodhouse Park
You need to add the correct second part of the code, the ‘incode’ to create a full postcode.
Greater Manchester postcodes
The ceremonial county of Greater Manchester includes the borough of Manchester plus another nine areas.
The postcodes of some areas in Greater Manchester, like Bury, can start with several different ‘outcodes’, whereas ‘outcodes’ for Stockport usually start with SK.
Below is a list of popular ‘outcode’ postcode starting letters for key areas of Greater Manchester.
Bolton – BL or M
Bury – BL or M
Oldham – OL or M
Rochdale – OL, BL or M
Salford – M e.g. M3, M6 and M7
Stockport – SK
Tameside – OL, SK or M
Trafford – WA or M
Wigan – WN, WA or M
As you can see, the M postcode is used for the city known as Manchester, but it’s also used for parts of the wider Greater Manchester county.
What is the zip code for Manchester, UK?
There isn’t one single zip code for Manchester UK. In the UK the zip code is called a postcode and in Manchester there are many different postcodes in use.
A zip code is slightly different from a postcode, as a zip code only uses numbers and has no space in it. On the other hand, a postcode has both letters and numbers and must have a space between the first and last part.
Postcodes are also between five to seven letters and numbers, plus a space. Whereas zip codes are typically only five numbers long.
Tips for addressing post to Manchester, UK
When you’re sending post to Manchester, UK, here are some tips to help.
- Always include a return address, so that if it can be returned back to you if necessary.
- Include the full postcode, not just the ‘outcode’.
- Write clearly. There is a lot of mail being sent everyday so the machines, sorters and delivery people need to be able to quickly read the address.
- Use full business addresses, with as much detail as possible.
- Double check the address and postcode with Royal Mail lookup.
- Tripple check the details are correct with the recipient.
FAQ: Manchester postal codes
What is the zip code for Manchester?
Manchester does not have just one zip code (known as a postcode in the UK). The area is split up into smaller areas which each have their own postcode, specific to that area.
What is the postcode for Manchester Airport?
The ‘outcode’ part of the postcode for Manchester Airport is M90. The second part of the code is 1QX. So the whole postcode for Manchester Airport is M90 1QX.
What is the postcode for Manchester, England?
There is not just one postcode for Manchester, England. There are multiple postcodes, in fact there are currently 48 postcode districts for Manchester and many more individual postcodes.
What is the postal code for Manchester United?
Manchester United is a football club in the north-west of England. The postcode for the Manchester United stadium, Old Trafford, is officially M16 0RA. However, it is recommended to use the postcode M16 0SZ for directions. The postcode for the Manchester United training ground is different and is M31 4BH.
What postcode is Manchester City Centre?
The postcode ‘outcode’ for Manchester City centre is M1. However, there are several other postcodes for the central district of Manchester.
What postcode is Piccadilly Manchester?
Piccadilly Manchester has a postcode ‘outcode’ of M1.
What is Manchester City’s postcode?
Manchester City is a football club in the north-west of England, along with Manchester United. The postcode for Manchester City’s stadium is M11 3FF.
Wrap up: Manchester postal codes
Now you know all about postal codes in Manchester and what to consider when addressing a letter to Manchester.
Don’t forget to check the postcode carefully with the recipient or on the Royal Mail website before you send anything.
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Disclaimer
This article provides general information, which should not be construed as professional, legal, financial, tax or medical advice. These are my personal opinions only. By visiting and using this website you agree to be bound by this disclaimer.