Canada
3-Digit and 6-Digit Canada Postal Code Polygon Boundaries (FSALDU) available with monthly, quarterly, or annual updates.
Sample Map: Canada FSALDU Polygons
This map shows a sample of Canada Postal Code Polygon Boundaries which are often used in geographic information systems (GIS) or mapping applications to visually represent postal code areas on a map. These polygons outline the boundaries of each postal code region, allowing users to identify and analyze spatial patterns and relationships associated with different postal codes. Select a polygon on the map to view attribution information.
Background: The structure of the Canadian postal code
Canada Post is the primary postal operator in Canada. The postal code is a six-character uniformly structured, alphanumeric code in the form “ANA NAN” where “A” is an alphabetic character and “N” is a numeric character. Two segments make up a postal code: Forward Sortation Area (FSA) and Local Delivery Unit (LDU).
The FSA is a combination of three characters (alpha-numeric-alpha). It identifies a major geographic area in an urban or a rural location.
The LDU is a combination of three characters (numeric-alpha-numeric). It identifies the smallest delivery unit in an FSA.
Forward Sortation Area (FSA) -The first segment of the postal code
The Forward Sortation Area (FSA) is a specific area in a major geographic region or province. The FSA provides the basis for the primary sorting of forward mail.
First character: The first character of the FSA segment identifies one of the 18 major geographic areas, provinces, or districts.
First character of FSA for each geographic area
First Character of FSA | Geographic Area | First Character of FSA | Geographic Area |
A | Newfoundland and Labrador | M | Metropolitan Toronto |
B | Nova Scotia | N | Southwestern Ontario |
C | Prince Edward Island | P | Northern Ontario |
E | New Brunswick | R | Manitoba |
G | Eastern Quebec | S | Saskatchewan |
H | Metropolitan Montreal | T | Alberta |
J | Western Quebec | V | British Columbia |
K | Eastern Ontario | X | Northwest Territories/Nunavut |
L | Central Ontario | Y | Yukon |
Second character
The second character of the FSA is an important part of mail preparation as it identifies either:
- An urban postal code: numerals 1 to 9 (for example, M2T)
- A rural postal code: numeral 0 (zero) (for example, AOA)
Third character
The third character of the FSA segment, in conjunction with the first two characters, describes an exact area of a:
- City
- Town
- Other geographic area
Local Delivery Unit (LDU)- The second segment of the postal code
The Local Delivery Unit (LDU), identified by the last three characters of the postal code, allows for a more final sort in a Forward Sortation Area (FSA).
In urban areas, the last three digits may indicate a:
- Specific city block (one side of a street between two intersecting streets)
- Single building
- Large-volume mail receiver (sometimes)
In rural areas the last three digits together with the FSA, identify a specific rural community.
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