How to Properly Address an Envelope for Mail: A Complete Guide

Properly addressing an envelope ensures your mail reaches its destination without delays. Whether sending personal letters or business correspondence, following postal service guidelines is essential.

1. Placement of Address Elements

• Return address (your address):

  • Top left corner of envelope
  • Name on first line
  • Street address on second line
  • City, state, and ZIP code on third line

• Recipient address:

  • Center of envelope, slightly below midpoint
  • Same three-line format as return address

2. Formatting Guidelines

• Use all capital letters (preferred by USPS)
• No punctuation except hyphen in ZIP+4 codes
• Black ink on light-colored envelopes
• Simple, legible fonts if printed
• Leave at least 1/8" space around address

3. Special Address Situations

• Business mail: Include company name below recipient name
• Apartment/unit numbers: On same line as street address
• International mail:
  • Add country name in all caps on last line
  • Follow destination country's addressing conventions

4. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Incorrect or missing ZIP codes
• Illegible handwriting
• Address placed too low on envelope
• Using abbreviations not recognized by USPS
• Forgetting return address

5. Additional Tips

• For formal correspondence, consider:
  • Printed labels for business mail
  • Calligraphy for wedding invitations
  • Matching return address style to recipient address

Addressing That Gets Delivered - Every Time

Postal workers process 1,500+ pieces hourly - make yours foolproof:

Problematic Format: "J. Smith 123 Street NY NY"

Ideal Format: "Jessica Smith 123 Maple Street, Apt 4B New York, NY 10001"

Key differences:

• Full name (no abbreviations)
• Complete address with apartment
• Full state name and ZIP+4

Envelope Addressing Checklist

✅ Recipient's full legal name

✅ Complete street address + unit

✅ City, full state name, ZIP+4

✅ Return address in same format

✅ Legible handwriting or printed

✅ Proper stamp placement

Following these envelope addressing guidelines will help ensure your mail is processed efficiently and reaches its destination promptly.