💡 How-To
How to Address an Envelope (Formatting Guide)
Properly addressing an envelope ensures your mail arrives on time. Here's the correct format for every type of mail " — from casual letters to formal business correspondence.
Standard Envelope Format
John A. Smith
123 Main Street, Apt 4B
Springfield, IL 62704
John B. Johnson
456 Oak Avenue
Chicago, IL 60601
The Three Sections
1. Return Address (Top Left Corner)
- Your name
- Street address (including apartment number)
- City, State ZIP code
- Optional: "Attn:" for specific person at a business
2. Recipient Address (Center of Envelope)
- Full name of recipient
- Street address (include apartment/suite number)
- City, State ZIP code
3. Stamp (Top Right Corner)
- Current Forever Stamp: $0.73
- Place stamp in top right corner, aligned with edges
Addressing Formats by Situation
| Situation | Format |
|---|---|
| Casual letter | First and last name |
| Formal letter | Mr./Mrs./Ms. + Full Name |
| Business | Company name, Attn: Person Name |
| Wedding invitation | Mr. and Mrs. John Smith (or full formal names) |
| Apartment | Apt # or Unit # on separate line |
| P.O. Box | P.O. Box ### (not street address) |
State Abbreviations (2-Letter USPS Standard)
- Always use 2-letter abbreviations: CA, NY, TX, FL, IL, PA, OH, GA, NC, MI
- Never write out the full state name " — USPS prefers abbreviations
- Capitalize the abbreviation: IL, not il or Il
The ZIP code rule: Always include the ZIP code " — it speeds up delivery significantly. If you don't know the ZIP code, use the USPS ZIP Code Lookup tool at tools.usps.com/zip-code-lookup. Wrong ZIP codes can delay mail by days.
⚠️ Common mistakes:
- Forgetting apartment/suite number " — mail gets returned
- Using full state name instead of abbreviation
- Wrong ZIP code " — can cause significant delays
- Illegible handwriting " — print clearly or use address labels
- Missing return address " — undeliverable mail has nowhere to go
The bottom line: Return address in top left, recipient address in center, stamp in top right. Use 2-letter state abbreviations. Always include ZIP code. For formal mail, use Mr./Mrs./Ms. For business mail, include "Attn:" with the person's name. Print legibly or use address labels.