How to address an envelope (US format with examples)

Published September 20, 2026

Quick answer: write the recipient’s address in the center of the envelope, your return address in the top left corner, and put the stamp in the top right corner. The last line of the address is city, two-letter state abbreviation and ZIP code. The Postal Service prefers capital letters and no punctuation, but clearly written addresses in normal case are delivered too.

Where everything goes

Position	What to write
Top left	Your name and address (return address)
Center	Recipient’s name and address
Top right	Postage stamp
Bottom 5/8 inch	Leave blank; USPS prints a barcode here

US address format

JANE DOE
123 MAIN ST APT 4B
SPRINGFIELD IL 62704-1234

Line 1: recipient’s name (and business name on its own line if needed).
Line 2: street number and name, with apartment, suite or unit on the same line.
Line 3: city, state abbreviation and ZIP code. The ZIP+4 is optional but speeds sorting. See what is a ZIP+4 code.

Not sure of the ZIP? Look it up by state in our ZIP code directory.

Address examples

Apartment

JOHN SMITH
456 OAK AVE APT 12
AUSTIN TX 78701

PO Box

MARIA GARCIA
PO BOX 789
DENVER CO 80201

Business, with attention line

ATTN BILLING DEPT
ACME SUPPLY CO
1000 INDUSTRIAL PKWY STE 200
COLUMBUS OH 43215

Military (APO/FPO)

SGT ALEX LEE
UNIT 2050 BOX 4190
APO AP 96278-2050

Common street abbreviations

Word	Abbreviation	Word	Abbreviation
Street	ST	Boulevard	BLVD
Avenue	AVE	Lane	LN
Road	RD	Court	CT
Drive	DR	Place	PL
Apartment	APT	Suite	STE
North / South	N / S	Parkway	PKWY

Addressing international mail

Write the address in the format of the destination country, and put the country name in capital letters on the last line, in English.

MR PIERRE MARTIN
12 RUE DE LA PAIX
75002 PARIS
FRANCE

Postal code formats differ by country. Find them in our world postal codes directory. International letters need more postage; see how much it costs to mail a letter.

Tips for fast delivery

Use dark ink and write clearly.
Do not write below the city/state/ZIP line.
Keep the return address; undeliverable mail comes back to you.
For wedding and formal mail, writing out words such as “Street” is fine, but the ZIP code must still be correct.

Frequently asked questions

Where does the stamp go? Top right corner.

Do I need a return address? It is not required, but without one undeliverable mail cannot be returned.

Should I use commas in an address? USPS recommends no punctuation, except the hyphen in a ZIP+4.