Postcode Address File

The UK Postcode Address File holds 1.8 million postcodes and 30 million addresses, updated almost 5,000 times daily for complete accuracy.

Postcode Address File (PAF)

Provided by the Royal Mail, this is the primary reference for all address data in the United Kingdom and contains over 1.8 million postcodes and over 30 million residential and business addresses. In addition the file is updated nearly 5,000 times a day.

Hopewiser’s Portal delivers fast, accurate data validation with secure access, powerful tools, easy setup, and a free trial to cleanse customer information.

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Accurate Address Verification

Using a PAF database contains accurate address data which can help to validate your customers addresses which enable transactions to be performed more efficiently and hassle free mail deliveries.

Enhanced Business Efficiency

Utilising PAF data results in fewer abandoned customer shopping carts, less returns and customer complaints and less fraudulent activity. Resulting in overall saved time and money.

Identify Customers and Addresses

Gain an insight into customers identities and addresses within a certain area. This knowledge can enhance customer experience and your business learns more appropriate routes to operate in, increasing targeting and efficiency.

Improve Delivery Success Rates

With every UK delivery point included and updated daily, PAF helps ensure parcels, letters, and services reach the correct destination first time, reducing costly redeliveries and customer dissatisfaction.

Support Regulatory & Compliance Requirements

Accurate, standardised address data helps organisations meet industry and governmental compliance standards, particularly in sectors such as finance, utilities, and public services where verified addresses are essential.

Enhance Data Quality Across Systems

PAF provides a consistent, authoritative address structure that improves the quality of CRM, billing, logistics, and marketing databases, reducing duplication and enabling cleaner, more reliable reporting.

Information About The Dataset

The Royal Mail Postcode Address File (PAF) is the UK’s definitive and most comprehensive source of personal and business postal addresses.

Containing every delivery point in the country and updated almost 5,000 times each day, PAF ensures organisations always have access to the most accurate and up‑to‑date address information available.

In July 2022 alone, the dataset grew by more than 21,000 delivery points, reflecting the constant evolution of the UK’s address landscape.

PAF can be accessed in a way that suits your business. Hopewiser provides flexible delivery options including cloud‑based services, standalone software, bureau services, and secure CSV downloads. Our advanced address capture and cleansing tools integrate seamlessly with existing systems through APIs, pre‑built integrations, and a full Developer’s Kit.

Solutions are compatible with Windows, Linux, Unix, AS400, Mainframe and web‑based environments, ensuring maximum adaptability.

PAF data is available at multiple levels depending on your requirements. Street‑level data (Part PAF®) allows users to retrieve fully structured address elements by simply entering a postcode, while property‑level data provides complete coverage for precise address capture. If full UK coverage isn’t required, PAF can also be supplied by postcode area.

Hopewiser maintains enhanced versions of PAF, updated monthly and typically supplied quarterly via secure download—though monthly updates are available on request.

Outputs can be tailored to your system needs, including:

Street/postcode‑level datasets and flat files
GIS tables linking postcodes to OS grid references
Postcode validation tables
Administrative area, district, and ward codes
Formatted address extracts for mail‑merge and area listings
Postcode‑to‑GIS coordinates including latitude/longitude

Why Choose Hopewiser?

Hopewiser has been an approved PAF supplier since 1982, delivering high‑accuracy, rules‑based address solutions trusted by major banks, police forces, and leading sports organisations. All software is developed in‑house, giving customers direct access to the specialists who build and maintain the technology. Our support team is consistently praised for rapid response times and expert problem‑solving.

Whether you need cloud‑based Address Lookup, Address Cleanse, standalone software, bureau services, or a flat CSV file, Hopewiser provides reliable, high‑performance solutions at competitive prices. Our cloud tools integrate easily with major CRM platforms including Microsoft Dynamics, Sage CRM, Salesforce, WordPress, and WooCommerce, and offer a wide range of APIs and plug‑ins for website forms and applications.

If you’d like to find out more about the dataset, contact us today.