U.S. address format
How to write a U.S. mailing address correctly — the standard line-by-line format, with examples and USPS tips.
Example
JOHN SMITH 123 MAIN ST APT 4B SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704
PO Box
JANE DOE PO BOX 1234 AUSTIN, TX 78701
For a PO Box, replace the street line with the box number.
Line by line
| Recipient | JOHN SMITH Full name or company, on the top line. |
| Street address | 123 MAIN ST House/building number + street name and suffix (ST, AVE, BLVD…). |
| Secondary unit | APT 4B Apartment, suite, or unit. Use APT, STE, UNIT — never the # symbol alone. |
| City, State ZIP | SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704 City, comma, 2-letter state, then the 5-digit ZIP (or ZIP+4). |
USPS formatting tips
- Use the two-letter state abbreviation (CA, TX, NY) — not the full state name.
- Put the 5-digit ZIP code last; add the +4 when you know it (62704-1234) for faster delivery.
- USPS prefers uppercase, no punctuation for automated sorting (SPRINGFIELD IL 62704), though everyday mail can use mixed case with a comma.
- Use standard street suffixes: ST, AVE, BLVD, DR, LN, CT, RD.
- Use APT, STE, UNIT for secondary units instead of the
#symbol. - The city, state, and ZIP go on the last line, in that order.
Not sure of the ZIP code?
Find the right ZIP code for an address with our tools: detect yourZIP code by location, look up anyZIP code, or browse by state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the correct U.S. address format?+
A standard U.S. address has the recipient on the first line, the street address on the next line, an optional apartment/suite line, and a final line with the city, two-letter state abbreviation, and ZIP code — for example: JOHN SMITH / 123 MAIN ST / SPRINGFIELD, IL 62704.
Should I use uppercase and remove punctuation?+
USPS recommends uppercase letters and no punctuation for machine readability (e.g., SPRINGFIELD IL 62704). For everyday mail, mixed case with a comma between city and state is perfectly acceptable.
What's the difference between ZIP and ZIP+4?+
The 5-digit ZIP code identifies a delivery area; the optional +4 add-on (e.g., 62704-1234) pinpoints a more specific location like a city block or building, which can speed up delivery.
How do I write an apartment or suite number?+
Add it on the same line as the street address (123 MAIN ST APT 4B) or on a separate line above the city/state/ZIP line. Use APT, STE, or UNIT rather than the # symbol when possible.