Knowing how to write a US address correctly is important when sending letters, packages, business documents, invoices, applications, gifts, or other physical mail within the United States. Although a US address may look simple, small details such as the street number, apartment number, state abbreviation, and ZIP Code can affect whether an item reaches the right destination.
The standard US address format is designed to make addresses easy for postal workers and automated sorting systems to read and process. The United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends using complete and standardized address information to improve delivery accuracy and reduce delays.
This complete US address format guide explains how to write different types of American addresses, where each part belongs, how ZIP Codes work, how to format apartment and business addresses, and what international senders should know when addressing mail to the United States.
What Is a US Address Format?
A US address format is the standardized way of presenting information that identifies where a person, organization, or business should receive mail or packages in the United States.
A typical residential address contains the following information:
Recipient Name
Street Number and Street Name
Apartment, Unit, or Suite Number, if applicable
City, State Abbreviation, and ZIP Code
For example:
John Williams
2458 Oak Street
Apartment 12
Dallas, TX 75201
For many standard mailing purposes, the apartment or unit information can appear on the same line as the street address:
John Williams
2458 OAK ST APT 12
DALLAS TX 75201
USPS standards emphasize complete and standardized addresses because they help automated postal systems identify the intended delivery point.
Basic US Address Format
The most common US mailing address follows a straightforward structure.
Recipient Name
Street Address
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Emily Johnson
742 Pine Street
Atlanta, GA 30303
The street address normally consists of a building number followed by the street name and, where applicable, a street suffix such as Street, Avenue, Road, Boulevard, Drive, or Lane.
For postal addressing, standardized abbreviations are commonly used. For example, Street can become ST, Avenue can become AVE, Road can become RD, and Boulevard can become BLVD.
The final line contains the city, two-letter state abbreviation, and ZIP Code. USPS recommends using the appropriate two-letter state abbreviation and the correct ZIP Code.
What Are the Parts of a US Address?
Understanding each part of a US address makes it easier to create an accurate address for mailing, shipping, registration forms, online purchases, and business correspondence.
Recipient Name
The recipient’s name identifies the person or organization intended to receive the mail.
Example:
Michael Brown
For business mail, the company or organization name may also be included:
Michael Brown
ABC Consulting LLC
Street Number
The street number identifies the specific property on a street.
Example:
1250
In an address such as 1250 Main Street, 1250 is the street number.
Street Name
The street name identifies the road where the property is located.
Example:
Main Street
The USPS standardized version may appear as:
1250 MAIN ST
Apartment, Unit, or Suite
Apartment buildings, office complexes, and other multi-unit properties require additional information to identify the exact unit.
Common designators include:
APT for Apartment
STE for Suite
UNIT for Unit
FL for Floor
RM for Room
For example:
1250 MAIN ST APT 4B
or:
1250 MAIN ST STE 300
USPS recommends including applicable apartment, suite, room, or floor information because it helps direct mail to the correct location.
City
The city identifies the mailing locality associated with the address.
Example:
Chicago
It is worth noting that a ZIP Code’s mailing city does not always perfectly match municipal boundaries. USPS explains that ZIP Codes are designed around postal delivery operations and may therefore cover areas that do not correspond exactly to city or town boundaries.
State
The state is normally represented using its official two-letter abbreviation.
For example:
California = CA
Florida = FL
New York = NY
Texas = TX
Washington = WA
Using the two-letter abbreviation helps keep the last address line compact and consistent.
ZIP Code
A ZIP Code identifies a geographic area used by USPS for mail processing and delivery.
A standard ZIP Code contains five digits:
90210
A ZIP+4 Code contains nine digits, divided into five digits, a hyphen, and four additional digits:
90210-1234
The ZIP+4 format can identify a more specific delivery area. USPS recommends using ZIP+4 when it is available and appropriate.
How to Format a Residential US Address
A residential address is one of the most common US address types.
A simple format is:
Recipient Name
Street Number Street Name
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Sarah Anderson
1847 Maple Avenue
Boston, MA 02108
If the home is part of a multi-unit property, add the apartment or unit number:
Sarah Anderson
1847 MAPLE AVE APT 7
BOSTON MA 02108
The unit information should not be left out when it is necessary for identifying the recipient’s specific location.
How to Format an Apartment Address
Apartment addresses require both the main street address and the apartment identifier.
Example:
Daniel Carter
500 Market Street Apt 204
San Francisco, CA 94105
A USPS-style presentation can also be written as:
DANIEL CARTER
500 MARKET ST APT 204
SAN FRANCISCO CA 94105
The apartment number may be placed on the same line as the street address, which USPS identifies as the preferred placement. It can also appear on the line immediately above the street address when necessary.
How to Format a Business Address
A business address generally includes the recipient’s name, company name, street address, and city, state, and ZIP Code.
Example:
Jessica Miller
Bright Future Technologies
800 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19107
For a specific department or office, additional information can be included:
Jessica Miller
Bright Future Technologies
Marketing Department
800 MARKET ST STE 500
PHILADELPHIA PA 19107
The recipient and company information should clearly identify who is supposed to receive the mail.
How to Format a PO Box Address
A PO Box address is used when mail is delivered to a Post Office box rather than a physical street address.
The basic format is:
Recipient Name
PO BOX 123
City, State ZIP Code
Example:
Robert Davis
PO BOX 4582
Miami, FL 33101
The standardized form uses “PO BOX” followed by the box number. USPS Publication 28 specifically identifies this as the standard format for Post Office Box addresses.
When using a PO Box address, do not automatically add a street address unless the mailing instructions specifically require it. USPS also advises using either a Post Office box or street address rather than both as the delivery address in ordinary circumstances.
How to Format a Suite or Office Address
Businesses located inside office buildings often use suite numbers.
Example:
Laura Wilson
Global Business Partners
1200 Commerce Drive Suite 450
Houston, TX 77002
A more standardized version is:
LAURA WILSON
GLOBAL BUSINESS PARTNERS
1200 COMMERCE DR STE 450
HOUSTON TX 77002
“STE” is commonly used as the standardized abbreviation for suite.
How to Format Rural and Highway Addresses
Some US locations use rural routes or highway contract routes instead of conventional street addresses.
A rural route address may look like:
JOHN SMITH
RR 5 BOX 10
DENVER CO 80202
A highway contract route address may use a format such as:
JANE SMITH
HC 4 BOX 45
PHOENIX AZ 85001
These formats are different from ordinary street addresses and should be retained when they represent the official delivery address. USPS includes rural route and highway contract route formats among its recognized address types.
How to Write a US Address on an Envelope
When mailing a letter within the United States, the recipient’s address should generally appear in the center area of the front of the envelope.
The return address is normally placed in the upper-left corner.
A typical layout is:
Return Address:
John Smith
100 Oak Street
Dallas, TX 75201
Recipient Address:
Mary Johnson
500 Pine Avenue
Austin, TX 78701
The delivery address should be clearly printed or written and should be easy to read. USPS recommends placing the delivery address and return address on the same side of the mailpiece and keeping the address lines left aligned.
Should You Use Commas in a US Address?
In everyday writing, people often write addresses with commas.
For example:
123 Main Street, New York, NY 10001
However, USPS mailing standards favor a simplified address block without commas and periods.
A postal format would therefore be:
123 MAIN ST
NEW YORK NY 10001
USPS specifically advises against commas and periods when addressing mailpieces.
This does not mean commas are always wrong in ordinary written addresses. The important distinction is between an address written as part of normal prose and an address prepared specifically for postal processing.
US State Abbreviations
The United States has official two-letter postal abbreviations for its states and certain territories.
Some of the most frequently used include:
Alabama: AL
Arizona: AZ
California: CA
Colorado: CO
Florida: FL
Georgia: GA
Illinois: IL
Maryland: MD
Massachusetts: MA
Michigan: MI
New Jersey: NJ
New York: NY
North Carolina: NC
Ohio: OH
Oregon: OR
Pennsylvania: PA
Tennessee: TN
Texas: TX
Virginia: VA
Washington: WA
Using the correct abbreviation is important because state abbreviations form part of the standardized last line of a US mailing address.
ZIP Code vs ZIP+4 Code
A five-digit ZIP Code identifies a general delivery area.
For example:
10001
A ZIP+4 Code provides four additional digits:
10001-1234
The additional four digits can make the delivery address more specific. The hyphen separating the five-digit ZIP Code from the additional four digits should be included when using the ZIP+4 format.
If you do not know the ZIP+4 Code, the regular five-digit ZIP Code is generally sufficient for ordinary addressing. However, using the correct ZIP Code is important because missing or incorrect ZIP information can cause delays or require additional processing.
US Address Format for International Senders
People sending mail from outside the United States should place the recipient’s US address in the standard American order.
For example:
David Williams
2500 Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90026
UNITED STATES
The country name should be included for international mail.
The address itself should still follow the US structure, with the recipient, street address, city, state abbreviation, and ZIP Code arranged in the normal order.
For international shipping labels, the carrier may request additional information such as a phone number, email address, customs information, or recipient identification. Those requirements depend on the carrier and shipment type.
Special US Address Formats
Not every address in the US follows the standard residential format. Some locations require special formats.
Puerto Rico addresses may include an urbanization or community name. USPS provides specific formatting guidance for these addresses.
US Virgin Islands addresses generally use the abbreviation VI. They should not be formatted as though the destination were a foreign country.
Military addresses use special designations such as APO, FPO, or DPO. The state-style abbreviation is replaced with AA, AE, or AP, depending on the military address. Military addresses also use a ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code.
These special formats should not be converted into ordinary city and state formats because doing so can interfere with proper routing.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing a US Address
One of the easiest ways to create a delivery problem is to leave out information that identifies the destination precisely.
Common mistakes include using the wrong ZIP Code, spelling the city incorrectly, omitting an apartment or suite number, using an incorrect state abbreviation, putting address components in the wrong order, and mixing a PO Box with a street address without a specific reason.
Another common mistake is leaving out directional information. Addresses may include terms such as N, S, E, W, NE, NW, SE, and SW. A directional can distinguish one street from another, so it should not be removed when it forms part of the official address.
For business addresses, failing to include a suite, floor, department, or room number can also make delivery more difficult.
US Address Format Examples
Here are several practical examples of common US address formats.
Standard Residential Address
JAMES ANDERSON
1450 OAK ST
AUSTIN TX 78701
Apartment Address
SARAH WILLIAMS
825 MAIN ST APT 14B
CHICAGO IL 60601
Business Address
MICHAEL BROWN
ABC CONSULTING LLC
300 MARKET ST STE 700
PHILADELPHIA PA 19106
PO Box Address
EMILY DAVIS
PO BOX 2500
MIAMI FL 33101
Address with a ZIP+4 Code
ROBERT JOHNSON
750 BROADWAY
NEW YORK NY 10003-1234
Internationally Sent US Address
JOHN CARTER
400 SUNSET BLVD
LOS ANGELES CA 90026
UNITED STATES
These examples demonstrate the basic structure used for different US address types.
US Address Formatting Best Practices for 2026
For 2026, the safest approach is to keep US mailing addresses complete, clear, consistent, and standardized.
Use the recipient’s full name or the appropriate company name. Include the correct street number and street name. Add apartment, suite, unit, floor, or room information whenever applicable. Use the official two-letter state abbreviation and the correct five-digit ZIP Code or ZIP+4 Code.
When preparing an actual mailpiece, USPS recommends clear, legible printing, left-aligned address lines, and a simple presentation. USPS guidance also recommends capital letters, appropriate abbreviations, and avoiding punctuation in the address block.
For businesses managing large customer databases, address validation is especially important. A complete and standardized address makes it easier for postal systems to match the information against current ZIP+4 and city-state data.
Final US Address Format Checklist
Before mailing a letter or package, check the following:
Recipient name is correct.
Company name is included when necessary.
Street number and street name are correct.
Directional information is included where applicable.
Apartment, suite, unit, floor, or room number is included when necessary.
City name is correct.
The state uses the correct two-letter abbreviation.
The ZIP Code is correct.
ZIP+4 is included when available and appropriate.
The address is clearly written or printed.
A return address is included when required or useful.
For international mail, the country name is included.
A properly formatted US address is more than just a collection of location details. Each part plays a role in helping mail reach its intended destination efficiently. Whether you are sending a personal letter, shipping an online order, preparing business correspondence, or entering an address into a database, following the standard US address format can reduce errors and improve delivery accuracy.