When you're trying to mail a postcard, drop off a package, or plug an address into your GPS while standing beneath the flashing billboards of Midtown Manhattan, getting the right postal code matters. The Times Square district spans two primary postal codes: 10036 and 10019.
Zip code 10036 covers the core commercial and theatrical hub from roughly 34th Street up to 53rd Street, stretching west from Sixth Avenue. Zip code 10019 handles the northern stretch of the theater district and Hell's Kitchen up toward 59th Street. Knowing which block falls under which code saves you from mail delays and mapping mix-ups.
The Geographic Breakdown of 10036
Zip code 10036 is the engine room of the Broadway machinery and the high-traffic tourist center. It runs from West 34th Street up to West 53rd Street, wedged primarily between Sixth Avenue and the Hudson River, though its eastern and western edges shift slightly depending on the block.
This code covers the famous pedestrian plaza at Broadway and 42nd Street, One Times Square (where the New Year’s Eve ball drops), and the heavy concentration of historic theaters. If you're visiting the Lyceum Theatre, the Hudson Theatre, or grabbing a bite near the Port Authority Bus Terminal at 625 Eighth Avenue, you're operating entirely inside 10036.
Local businesses rely on this specific code for high-volume commercial deliveries, courier routing, and tax jurisdictions. Because pedestrian volume here peaks during evening showtimes, postal carriers and delivery services manage tight cut-off windows for commercial drop-offs in this zone.
The Geographic Breakdown of 10019
Just north of 53rd Street sits zip code 10019, which bridges the gap between the commercial intensity of Midtown and the residential brownstones of Hell's Kitchen. It extends northward toward 59th Street and stretches across to Eighth Avenue and beyond.
While it shares the energy of the theater district, 10019 incorporates major cultural institutions and corporate high-rises. Landmarks like Radio City Music Hall at 1260 Sixth Avenue and the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) at 11 West 53rd Street fall squarely within this territory. It also covers the southern foot of Central Park, making it a hybrid zone of commercial offices, hotels, and upscale residential units.
Exact Landmark Zip Code Reference
To make mapping easier, here's how major destinations across the district sort out by postal code:
- One Times Square (1475 Broadway): 10036
- The Port Authority Bus Terminal (625 8th Ave): 10036
- The Lyceum Theatre (149 W 45th St): 10036
- Radio City Music Hall (1260 6th Ave): 10019
- The Museum of Modern Art (11 W 53rd St): 10019
- Carnegie Hall (881 7th Ave): 10019
If you want to verify an exact building or cross-street in real-time, you can check the USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool to avoid any formatting errors.
Common Mistakes When Addressing Mail in Midtown
People frequently mix up Midtown Manhattan zip codes because the street grid and postal zones don't always align neatly. Here are three common pitfalls to avoid:
- Assuming a single code covers all of Broadway: Broadway cuts diagonally across Manhattan's grid. A theater at 45th Street uses 10036, while a venue a few blocks north at 55th Street shifts into 10019. Always verify the exact building number.
- Confusing Midtown South codes: Buildings south of 34th Street or east of Fifth Avenue transition rapidly into entirely different postal zones, such as 10001 or 10018. Don't assume a general "Midtown" address shares a Times Square code.
- Forgetting apartment and suite numbers: High-rise commercial towers and mixed-use skyscrapers in these zip codes house hundreds of separate businesses. Leaving off a suite or floor number causes delivery failures even with the correct five-digit code.
For official civic data and local administrative boundaries, consult the NYC Department of City Planning resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Times Square have its own unique zip code?
No. Times Square is split across two standard postal zones—10036 and 10019—which also cover the surrounding Theater District and parts of Hell's Kitchen.
Which zip code covers the New Year's Eve ball drop building?
One Times Square, located at 1475 Broadway, falls within the 10036 zip code.
Where does zip code 10036 start and end?
It generally runs from West 34th Street north to West 53rd Street, spanning westward from Sixth Avenue toward the river, encompassing the main tourist and theater hubs.
How can I check a specific street address zip code in NYC?
You can look up exact delivery routes and nine-digit ZIP+4 codes using the official USPS Location Finder.
