Key takeaways
- Put the sender's return address in the upper-left corner
- Place the recipient's delivery address in the center or lower-center area
- Keep apartment or suite information with the delivery address
- Add the destination country as the last line for international mail
Authorship and review
Read our editorial and review principles- Written by
- Random Address Generator Editorial Team
- Reviewed by
- US Address Format Review Team
- Latest substantive update
- Published a US envelope layout guide with return address, delivery address, unit, and international examples.
Where each part goes on the envelope
For a standard US letter, the sender goes in the upper-left corner and the recipient goes near the center. Leave room in the upper-right corner for postage. The placement is simple, but it helps sorting equipment distinguish the destination from the return address.
Write both blocks horizontally, with a consistent left edge. Decorative lettering may look appealing, but the address itself should stay clear and easy to read. USPS recommends capital letters and no commas or periods for machine-friendly output.
| Envelope area | Content | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Upper left | Return address | Where undeliverable mail can be returned |
| Upper right | Postage | Stamp or postal indicia |
| Center | Delivery address | The intended recipient and destination |
How to write the recipient address
Start with the recipient or company. The next line identifies the delivery point: street and house number, PO Box, or another recognized delivery address. Put the city, two-letter state abbreviation, and ZIP Code on the last domestic line.
When an apartment or suite fits, add it to the end of the street line. If the line becomes too long, place the unit on the line immediately above the street. Never drop the unit just to make the block look tidier.
The return address uses the same basic order
Write the sender's name first, then the sender's delivery line, then city, state, and ZIP Code. Keep the block smaller than the recipient block so the visual hierarchy stays obvious. A return address is not a substitute for the recipient address and should not appear directly above it.
Use a current address where returned mail can actually be received. For test screenshots and mockups, use a labeled synthetic record rather than a private residence copied from the web.
What changes on an international envelope
Format the destination using that country's postal order, not the US order. Add the destination country on its own final line, written clearly in capital letters. Keep the country out of the domestic locality line.
The return address still follows the sender country's format. If the destination uses a different script, check the destination post's guidance on Romanization or an additional Latin-script line rather than improvising a translation.
- Use the destination country's locality and postcode order
- Put the country name on the final line
- Do not translate street names unless official guidance calls for it
- Check service and customs requirements separately from address format
A thirty-second check before mailing
Confirm the recipient name, unit, city, state abbreviation, and ZIP Code against the source you were given. Check that the delivery block is not hidden by tape, artwork, or a window edge. Then confirm postage and envelope size with the current USPS instructions.
If delivery matters, use USPS ZIP Code Lookup or another authorized service. A neat envelope can still contain an incorrect or outdated address.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I write the address on an envelope?
Put the return address in the upper-left corner and the recipient's delivery address near the center. Keep the upper-right corner available for postage.
Where does an apartment number go?
Place it at the end of the street line when it fits. If it does not fit, put the apartment line immediately above the street line.
Do I need commas in an envelope address?
No. Everyday writing may use commas, but USPS machine-friendly address blocks do not require commas or periods.
Where does USA go in an American address?
Add UNITED STATES as a separate final line only when the mail is entering the US from another country. Omit it on domestic US mail.