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How to Address an Envelope

Where the return address, recipient address, and stamp go, with a labeled example.

Illustration of a stamped envelope and a pen on a porch table, with a blue mailbox and a quiet street behind them.

Quick Start

The short version. The details, tips, and FAQ are below.

  1. Write your name and address in the top-left corner.
  2. Write the recipient's name, street address and city, state and ZIP in the center.
  3. Put the apartment or unit number on the same line as the street.
  4. Stick the stamp in the top-right corner.
Jordan Rivera123 Maple StSpringfield, IL 62701Taylor Chen456 Oak Ave Apt 3Rivertown, IL 60614
  1. Return address — Your own name and address in the top-left corner, so undeliverable mail comes back to you instead of being thrown away.
  2. Recipient address — In the middle: the recipient's full name, then the street address (with any apartment number), then the city, state, and ZIP code.
  3. Stamp — In the top-right corner, where mail-sorting machines look for postage.

An envelope needs three things in three places: your address, the recipient’s address, and a stamp. Get those right and your letter arrives — and if it can’t be delivered, it comes back to you instead of being thrown away.

Step by Step

  1. Return address — your name and address in the top-left corner, in the same three-line format as the recipient’s. This is the only way an undeliverable letter finds its way back to you.
  2. Recipient address — in the middle of the envelope, in this order:
    • the recipient’s full name;
    • the street address, with any apartment or unit number on the same line (e.g. “456 Oak Ave Apt 3”);
    • the city, the two-letter state abbreviation, and the ZIP code (e.g. “Rivertown, IL 60614”).
  3. Stamp — in the top-right corner. Mail-sorting machines look for postage there.

Tip: Print clearly in dark ink. Handwriting is fine, but capital letters are easiest for sorting machines and carriers to read.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the stamp anywhere other than the top-right corner.
  • Leaving off the apartment or unit number — one of the most common reasons mail is delayed in a building with many units.
  • Guessing a ZIP code. A wrong one can send the letter to the wrong post office first.
  • Skipping the return address to save time. It’s exactly what you’ll wish you had if the letter can’t be delivered.

How Many Stamps You Need

A standard letter in a regular rectangular envelope, up to one ounce, needs one First-Class “Forever” stamp. Thick cards, square or oddly shaped envelopes, and heavier letters need extra postage. If you’re not sure, a post office counter can weigh it for you.

If You Don’t Know the ZIP Code

USPS has a free online ZIP code lookup by street address (other countries’ postal services offer the same for postal codes). Look it up instead of guessing.

Mailing Internationally

A few things change when you mail a letter to another country:

  • The destination country goes on its own last line, in capital letters and in English (e.g. “FRANCE”).
  • Many countries order the lines differently (for example, the postal code before the city). Write the address the way the destination country expects it.
  • International letters need international postage — a Global Forever stamp covers a standard one-ounce letter from the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to include a return address?

It's not strictly required, but it's strongly recommended — without one, an undeliverable letter (wrong address, moved recipient) is simply discarded by the post office instead of being sent back to you.

Where exactly does the stamp go?

In the top-right corner of the envelope. Mail-sorting machines look for postage there, and it's the standard placement in the U.S. and most other countries.

What if I don't know the recipient's ZIP/postal code?

Most postal services (including USPS) offer a free online ZIP/postal code lookup by street address — look it up rather than guessing, since an incorrect code can delay delivery.

How many stamps do I need?

A standard, one-ounce letter needs one First-Class stamp in the U.S. Anything heavier, oversized, or oddly shaped (a thick card, a square envelope) usually needs extra postage — if you're not sure, a post office counter can weigh it for you rather than risking it being returned for insufficient postage.

Does the address need to be typed, or is handwriting okay?

Handwriting is completely fine as long as it's legible — mail sorting equipment and postal workers just need to be able to read it clearly. Print rather than cursive if your handwriting tends to be hard to read.

What's different about addressing an envelope for international mail?

The country name goes on its own last line, written in capital letters and in English (e.g. "FRANCE"), and some countries order the city/postal code differently than the U.S. does. Check your postal service's international mail guidelines for the destination country's exact format rather than assuming the U.S. order applies.

Do I need to include an apartment or unit number?

Yes, if the recipient has one — put it on the same line as the street address, or on its own line directly below. Leaving it off is a common reason mail gets delayed or misdelivered in multi-unit buildings.

Related Guides

Sources

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