Query for a Postcode

Search for postcodes that match a given query string. This endpoint returns a list of matching postcodes with their associated data.

The search performs prefix matching and returns results in sorted order (case insensitive).

Returns a 200 response with either an empty array or up to 100 matching postcode entities.

Endpoint

GET https://api.postcodes.io/postcodes?q=[query]

Example Request

https://api.postcodes.io/postcodes?q=SW1A&limit=3

Example Response

{
  "status": 200,
  "result": [
    {
      "postcode": "SW1A 0AA",
      "quality": 1,
      "eastings": 530047,
      "northings": 179951,
      "country": "England",
      "nhs_ha": "London",
      "longitude": -0.141588,
      "latitude": 51.501009,
      "european_electoral_region": "London",
      "primary_care_trust": "Westminster",
      "region": "London",
      "lsoa": "Westminster 018C",
      "msoa": "Westminster 018",
      "incode": "0AA",
      "outcode": "SW1A",
      "parliamentary_constituency": "Cities of London and Westminster",
      "parliamentary_constituency_2024": "Cities of London and Westminster",
      "admin_district": "Westminster",
      "parish": "Westminster, unparished area",
      "admin_county": null,
      "date_of_introduction": "198001",
      "admin_ward": "St James's",
      "ced": null,
      "ccg": "NHS North West London",
      "nuts": "Westminster",
      "pfa": "Metropolitan Police",
      "codes": {
        "admin_district": "E09000033",
        "admin_county": "E99999999",
        "admin_ward": "E05013806",
        "parish": "E43000236",
        "parliamentary_constituency": "E14000639",
        "parliamentary_constituency_2024": "E14000639",
        "ccg": "E38000256",
        "ccg_id": "W2U3Z",
        "ced": "E99999999",
        "nuts": "TLI31",
        "lsoa": "E01004736",
        "msoa": "E02000977",
        "lau2": "E09000033",
        "pfa": "E23000001"
      }
    },
    {
      "postcode": "SW1A 0AB",
      "quality": 1
      // Additional fields omitted for brevity
    },
    {
      "postcode": "SW1A 0AQ",
      "quality": 1
      // Additional fields omitted for brevity
    }
  ]
}

Query Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default	Constraints
q=	The search query string	Required	String
query=	Alias for q=	-	String

Optional Query Parameters

Parameter	Description	Default	Constraints
limit=	Maximum number of results to return	10	Integer, max 100