The Proper Way to Write an Address

Books stacked on shelves in a library.jpg

Addressing letters correctly is important to ensure that they reach the receiver in the minimum amount of time and are directed to the correct location. Improper addressing can result in the letter being delivered late or not at all. The usual format is to write the address starting with the most specific item -- the name -- at the top of the address and working your way down to the broadest item.

1 Write the name

Write the name of the receiver at the top of the address.

2 Write the person's

Write the person's department or title if they have one. Write the company or institution name underneath, if necessary. For example:

3 Marketing Director Fresh Toys Ltd

Marketing Director Fresh Toys Ltd.

4 Write the street address

Write the street address or post office box number. For example, 23 Windsor St.

5 Write the town name

Write the town name, followed by the state. For example, New York, NY.

6 Write the ZIP code

Write the ZIP code.

7 Write the country name

Write the country name if sending internationally. A complete address would look like this:

8 John Doe

John Doe Marketing Director Fresh Toys Ltd. 23 Windsor St. New York, NY 10017 USA

Mark Slingo has been a professional writer since 2008. His work has appeared in Forward, ScubaGlobe, Scuba Jedi, "Pattaya Mail" and other publications. Slingo has a Bachelor of Arts in politics from the University of Newcastle and a diploma in journalism from the British College of Journalism.

×