Standard Names and Codes (SNAC)

SNAC is a database providing tables of ONS standard names and codes for a range of UK geographies. It enables users to relate areas to their respective geographic hierarchies. The database also offers alternative administrative area names and codes used by Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department of Health (DH). SNAC is released annually and includes information up to the end of December.

SNAC provides information on a range of geographies including Output Areas/Super Output Areas, and various administrative, electoral and health areas. A full listing of geographies covered is provided in the User Guide.

From 2011 onwards the new GSS Coding and Naming policy for some statistical geographies will be implemented. From this date, where new codes have been allocated they should be used in all exchanges of statistics and published outputs that normally include codes.

The Code History Database (CHD) provides multiple functionality including details of all codes, relationships, hierarchies and archived data. Initially, the CHD will be used in parallel with the Standard Names and Codes (SNAC) database, the UK Statistical Geographies database and the Ward History database, but ultimately it will replace them. 

Product Details

SNAC is an MS Access 2002 database (MS Access 97 and MS Access 2000 formats are available on request - please contact us ). It is also available in MS Excel, but with reduced content and functionality. The SNAC User Guide found in the Downloads section provides further details on the product.

Availability and Cost

The current edition of SNAC can be downloaded free of charge from the Downloads section. Previous editions are available free of charge on CD-ROM in either MS Access format or, without the functionality, as an MS Excel file. Please contact us for more details.