<P> ZIP Codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service ( USPS ) since 1963 . The term ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan ; it was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly ( zipping along ) when senders use the code in the postal address . The basic format consists of five digits . An extended ' ZIP + 4 ' code was introduced in 1983 which includes the five digits of the ZIP Code , followed by a hyphen and four additional digits that reference a more specific location . </P>
<P> ZIP Codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service ( USPS ) since 1963 . The term ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan ; it was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently and quickly ( zipping along ) when senders use the code in the postal address . The basic format consists of five digits . An extended ' ZIP + 4 ' code was introduced in 1983 which includes the five digits of the ZIP Code , followed by a hyphen and four additional digits that reference a more specific location . </P>
when did the united states start using zip codes
when did the united states start using zip codes
1963
1963