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Distance Between ZIP / ZCTA Reference Points

Compare two five-digit Census ZCTA codes and calculate the great-circle distance between their official reference points, with coordinates and map exports.

Input & limits

Two five-digit ZCTA codes from the 33,791-point 2024 Census Gazetteer reference, including Puerto Rico. Preserve leading zeros.

What you download

Both reference points, a great-circle connector and a calculation report. No account or API key is required.

How to use

  1. Enter two ZCTA codes or use the working example.
  2. Calculate to load the Census reference and measure the spherical great-circle distance.
  3. Review coordinates, compare the map and export the result.

Frequently asked questions

Is every USPS ZIP code supported?

No. ZCTAs are Census statistical areas. Postal delivery ZIP codes, PO boxes and recently changed ZIPs do not always have corresponding ZCTAs.

Is this a driving distance or distance between area edges?

Neither. It is a straight great-circle distance between Census internal representative points. Road travel and nearest-boundary distances require different calculations.

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