How to Address an Envelope Properly for the Post Office

Writing an envelope the right way helps the post office deliver your mail quickly and without delay. The United States Postal Service uses machines that read addresses, so neat handwriting and the proper layout matter. This guide shows you exactly where each piece goes and what to write.

A standard envelope has three parts you need to fill in: the return address (your address) in the top-left corner, the delivery address (where the letter is going) in the center, and the stamp in the top-right corner. Use a pen with dark blue or black ink. Avoid red ink, pencil, or fancy script, since the sorting machines have trouble reading them.

For the delivery address, write the recipient's full name on the first line. On the second line, write the street number and street name, or the post office box number. The third line gets the city, state (use the two-letter abbreviation like NY or CA), and the five-digit ZIP code. If you know the four-digit ZIP+4 extension, add a hyphen and those four numbers. The return address follows the same three-line format but goes in the smaller space at the top-left.

Place one Forever stamp in the top-right corner for a standard letter weighing one ounce or less. Heavier letters or large envelopes need extra postage, which you can buy at any post office or online at usps.com. If you are not sure how much postage you need, take the envelope to the post office counter and the clerk will weigh it and tell you the cost. Drop the finished envelope in any blue USPS mailbox or hand it to your mail carrier.