Mail a letter address format

The standard format for addressing a letter in the United States is as follows:

Recipient's Name Street Address or Post Office Box City, State ZIP Code

Here's a breakdown of each component:

  1. Recipient's Name: Write the recipient's name on the first line of the envelope. Use the format "First Name Last Name" or "Title First Name Last Name" if the recipient has a title (e.g., Mr., Mrs., Ms., Dr.).
  2. Street Address or Post Office Box: Write the street address or post office box number on the second line. If the recipient has a street address, include the house number, street name, and any additional information (e.g., apartment number, suite number).
  3. City, State ZIP Code: Write the city, state, and ZIP code on the third line. The city should be spelled out in full, and the state should be abbreviated using the two-letter postal abbreviation (e.g., CA for California). The ZIP code should be included in the format "XXXXX" (five digits).

Here's an example of a properly addressed letter:

John Doe 123 Main Street, Apt 101 Anytown, CA 12345

Remember to use a legible handwriting style and to double-check the recipient's address to ensure accuracy.