Career Management Skills / Career Advice

How To Write an Address




Properly formatting an address ensures accurate and timely delivery of correspondence or packages. Here’s a concise guide on structuring different types of addresses.


Components of an Address

  1. Sender’s Address (optional but recommended):
  2. Place it in the upper-left corner of the envelope.
  3. Include your name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code.

  4. Recipient’s Address:

  5. Line 1: Recipient's name (include titles like MBA, CEO, or VP if applicable).
  6. Line 2: Street address or building name.
  7. Line 3: City, state, and ZIP code.

Formatting Guidelines

For a Regular Address:

  • Example:
    plaintext Suzy Queue 4455 Landing Lane, APT 4 Louisville, KY 40018-1234

For a Business Address:

  • Use “ATTN:” or “Attention:” before the recipient's name if necessary.
  • Example:
    plaintext ATTN: Dennis Menees, CEO Global Co. 1234 Business Blvd New York, NY 10001

For a Military Address:

  • Replace the city with DPO, FPO, or APO depending on the post.
  • Use abbreviations like AA, AE, or AP for the state.
  • Add the ZIP+4 code for accurate delivery.
  • Example:
    plaintext Sgt. John Doe Unit 1234, Box 56789 APO AE 09376-1234

For an International Address:

  • Write the country’s name on the last line.
  • Example (for European countries):
    plaintext Jane Smith 12 High Street London, Greater London W1A 1AA United Kingdom

Helpful Tips?

  1. Use the Correct Abbreviations:
  2. ST (Street), AVE (Avenue), DR (Drive), BLVD (Boulevard), LN (Lane).
  3. Write Legibly:
  4. Use all caps and black ink for clarity.
  5. Include ZIP+4 Codes:
  6. Example: 40018-1234.
  7. Place Stamps Correctly:
  8. Upper-right corner of the envelope.
  9. Use Commas:
  10. Separate the city, state, and ZIP code (e.g., St. Louis, MO 63101).

Common Abbreviations for Addresses

  • North, South, East, West: N, S, E, W.
  • Apartment: APT.
  • Suite: STE.

Why Proper Formatting Matters

A clear and correctly formatted address ensures the postal service processes your mail efficiently, reducing delivery delays. Whether sending a personal letter or international package, following these guidelines guarantees professionalism and precision.??


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