How to Write an Address: A Complete Guide
An address is a collection of information that helps to locate a building, plot of land or structure. It usually contains things like political boundaries, street names, building numbers, organization names and postal codes. An address is most commonly used to guide the routing of mail, but it can also be used for other purposes such as navigation, geocoding or identification.
When writing an address, you need to follow some rules and conventions to ensure that it is clear, accurate and easy to read. Depending on the type of correspondence or package you are sending, you may need to include both the sender’s address and the recipient’s address. In this article, we will explain how to write an address on an envelope, a business letter and a package.
How to write an address on an envelope
When addressing an envelope, you need to include both the sender’s address and the recipient’s address. Here are the steps and placement for each:
The sender’s address
The address of the sender should be placed in the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. Here’s what to include:
- The name of the sender should be placed on the first line. If you’re sending from a business, you would list the company name on the next line.
- Next, you should write out the building number and street name.
- The final line should have the city, state and ZIP code for the address.
The recipient’s address
You will need to place the address of the recipient in the center of the envelope. Here’s how to complete their information:
- Place the recipient’s name on the first line.
- On the second line, write the building number and street name.
- Include the city, state and ZIP code on the final line.
Though the formatting of the actual address can be different depending on who and where you are sending the letter, the placement is always the same.
How to write an address on a business letter
Though the actual geographical address is the same when mailing something to a company, there are a few other differences. Here’s how to address a letter to someone at a company:
- Though not necessary, many people write “Attention:” or “ATTN:” before the recipient’s name. Some prefer to also add the individual’s prefix before their name.
- Additionally, if you know that the person uses a professional distinction or title (such as MBA, CEO or VP), add a comma after their surname followed by the designation.
- The second line should simply have the name of the business.
- Next, you will need to write the building number and street name.
- This line will contain the city, state and ZIP code.
How to write an address on a package
When sending a package, you may need to follow some additional guidelines to ensure that it arrives safely and securely. Here are some tips for writing an address on a package:
- Use clear and legible handwriting or print labels using a computer and printer.
- Avoid using abbreviations or punctuation marks that may confuse postal workers or machines.
- If possible, use all capital letters and avoid cursive or fancy fonts.
- Include both your return address and the recipient’s address on the same side of the package.
- If you are sending a package internationally, you may need to include additional information such as country name, postal code format and customs declaration form.