diff --git a/src/registrar/forms/application_wizard.py b/src/registrar/forms/application_wizard.py
index 9a8899e2b..5310c4610 100644
--- a/src/registrar/forms/application_wizard.py
+++ b/src/registrar/forms/application_wizard.py
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ class OrganizationContactForm(RegistrarForm):
         validators=[
             RegexValidator(
                 "^[0-9]{5}(?:-[0-9]{4})?$|^$",
-                message="Enter a zip code in the form of 12345 or 12345-6789.",
+                message="Enter a zip code in the required format, like 12345 or 12345-6789.",
             )
         ],
     )
diff --git a/src/registrar/forms/domain.py b/src/registrar/forms/domain.py
index 112552e5f..8b55aa29d 100644
--- a/src/registrar/forms/domain.py
+++ b/src/registrar/forms/domain.py
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ class DomainOrgNameAddressForm(forms.ModelForm):
         validators=[
             RegexValidator(
                 "^[0-9]{5}(?:-[0-9]{4})?$|^$",
-                message="Enter a zip code in the form of 12345 or 12345-6789.",
+                message="Enter a zip code in the required format, like 12345 or 12345-6789.",
             )
         ],
     )
diff --git a/src/registrar/tests/test_forms.py b/src/registrar/tests/test_forms.py
index 035e1c8c5..00bb7ce61 100644
--- a/src/registrar/tests/test_forms.py
+++ b/src/registrar/tests/test_forms.py
@@ -30,7 +30,7 @@ class TestFormValidation(MockEppLib):
         form = OrganizationContactForm(data={"zipcode": "nah"})
         self.assertEqual(
             form.errors["zipcode"],
-            ["Enter a zip code in the form of 12345 or 12345-6789."],
+            ["Enter a zip code in the required format, like 12345 or 12345-6789."],
         )
 
     def test_org_contact_zip_valid(self):