Addressing an envelope correctly helps it reach its destination and come back to you if it cannot be delivered. The layout is simple once you know where the recipient address, return address, and stamp each go.
What you'll need
- Envelope
- Pen
- Postage stamp
- Recipient's mailing address
Step by step
- Write the recipient in the centerIn the middle of the front, write the recipient's full name on the first line, the street address or PO box on the next, and the city, state, and postal code on the last line.
- Add the return address top leftIn the upper-left corner, write your own name and address in the same format. This is where the mail is returned if it cannot be delivered.
- Place the stamp top rightAffix a stamp in the upper-right corner. Use the correct postage for the envelope's size and weight, and add more for oversized or heavy mail.
- Use clear, standard formattingPrint legibly, use the standard two-letter state abbreviation, and include the full postal code. Avoid decorative writing that machines cannot read.
- Add any special linesInclude apartment or unit numbers on the street line, and add labels like attn or care of above the name when directing mail to a specific person or business.
Where does the recipient's address go, and how do I format it?
The recipient's address, also called the delivery address, goes in the center of the front of the envelope. It is the largest and most prominent block on the envelope so that sorting machines and carriers read it first.
Use three lines in this order: the recipient's full name on the top line; the street address, including any apartment or unit number, on the second line; and the city, two-letter state abbreviation, and ZIP code on the bottom line. For example: JORDAN LEE, then 742 EVERGREEN TER, then SPRINGFIELD IL 62704. Printing in capital letters and leaving the ZIP code on the same line as the city and state helps automated sorting.
Where do the return address and the stamp go?
The return address goes in the top-left corner of the front. Write your own name, street address, and city, state, and ZIP in the same three-line format you used for the recipient. If the mail cannot be delivered, this is the address it is sent back to, so it is worth including even when it is not strictly required.
The stamp or other postage goes in the top-right corner. Use enough postage for the envelope's size and weight; a standard first-class stamp covers a normal letter, while larger, thicker, or heavier envelopes need additional postage. If you are unsure, a post office or postal scale can confirm the amount.
How to add an ATTN or Attention line
An attention line, often written as ATTN or Attention, directs a letter to a specific person or department inside a larger organization. Place it as the first line of the delivery address block, directly above or in place of the company name, for example ATTN: ACCOUNTS PAYABLE followed by the company name and then the street address.
A related label is care of, written as C/O, which routes mail to a recipient at an address that is not their own, such as C/O SAM RIVERA above the host's name and address. Both labels sit within the center delivery block, not in the corners.
Addressing a manila, large, or flat-rate envelope
A manila envelope, sometimes spelled manilla, and other large or flat mailers are addressed with the same layout as a standard letter: recipient in the center, return address in the top-left corner, and postage in the top-right corner. Because these envelopes are bigger and heavier, they usually need more postage than a single first-class stamp, so weigh them or ask at the post office.
Keep the envelope oriented so the longer side is horizontal and write or print the address parallel to that long edge. Flat-rate envelopes from a carrier are prepaid for their advertised rate as long as the contents fit inside and the envelope seals normally; you still write the recipient and return addresses in the standard positions.
Correct mailing address format with an apartment or unit number
When the address includes an apartment, suite, or unit, add it to the street line rather than a separate line. Write the street number and name first, then the unit designator, for example 742 EVERGREEN TER APT 5 or 100 MAIN ST STE 200. Common abbreviations include APT for apartment, STE for suite, and UNIT.
A correctly addressed envelope reads top to bottom as: an attention line if needed, the recipient's name, the street address with any unit number, and the city, state, and ZIP on the final line. Keeping the unit on the street line and the ZIP with the city and state matches the format that postal sorting equipment expects.
Handy tips
- For international mail, write the destination country in capital letters on the last line.
- Double-check the postal code, since an error there is a common cause of delays.
- If the address is long, it is fine to use a second line for the street details.
FAQ
Where does the recipient's address go on an envelope?
In the center of the front of the envelope. Write the recipient's name on the first line, the street address or PO box on the second, and the city, state, and ZIP code on the last line.
Where does the return address go?
In the upper-left corner of the front of the envelope. It tells the postal service where to send the mail back if it cannot be delivered.
Which corner does the stamp go in?
The stamp goes in the upper-right corner of the front. Use enough postage for the envelope's size and weight, adding more for large or heavy mail.
Do I need a return address?
It is not always required, but it is strongly recommended. Without one, undeliverable mail may be discarded instead of returned to you.
How do I add an attention or ATTN line?
Place ATTN or Attention followed by the person or department name as the first line of the center address block, above the company name and street address.
How do I write an apartment or unit number in an address?
Add it to the street line after the street name, using an abbreviation like APT, STE, or UNIT, for example 742 Evergreen Ter Apt 5. Avoid putting it on a separate line.
How do I address a manila or large envelope?
Use the same layout as a letter: recipient in the center, return address in the top-left corner, and postage in the top-right. Larger or heavier envelopes usually need more postage, so weigh them if you are unsure.
How do I address mail to another country?
Use the same layout, but write the destination country name in capitals on the final line, and check that you have applied the correct international postage.