How to Write an Address in English: The Complete Guide

When writing addresses for envelopes, parcels, or resumes, there are specific rules to follow in British, American, or Australian English. In this lesson, we will explain:

• how to write a postal address for the UK, USA,  Canada and Australia
• how to adjust the format depending on the medium: envelope, package, CV, etc.
• how to include additional details: apartment, company, date, etc.
• Vocabulary for different road types (street, avenue, boulevard, etc) and useful expressions related to mail.

On your marks, get set… post!

How to write an international address: Country-specific guidelines

When writing an address, the format varies depending on the English-speaking country concerned:  United Kingdom, United States, Canada, or Australia.

Below are the guidelines for writing addresses for each destination. Remember, it is essential to end each postal address with the name of the country – ideally in capital letters!

How to write an address for the United Kingdom

Here is the structure of an address for England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland:

1. First and Last Name
2. Street Number and Street Name
3. City and Postal Code (alphanumerics)
4. Country Name: UNITED KINGDOM (if sending from outside the UK)

In the UK, the postcode consists of 2 groups of 3 characters: letters (in capital letters) and numbers.

For a formal letter, remember to specify the title of your recipient:

• Mrs 
• Miss 
• Mr 

How to write an address for the United States

Here is the structure of an address for the United States:

1. First and Last Name (with title, if needed: Mrs, Miss, or Mr)
2. Street Number and Street Name
3. City, State Abbreviation, and Zip Code
4. Country Name: UNITED STATES (if sending from outside the US)

The state abbreviation is a two-letter code, and the Zip Code typically has 5 digits.

Abbreviations of the 50 US States

1. Alabama → AL
2. Alaska → AK
3. Arizona → AZ
4. Arkansas → AR
5. California → CA
6. North Carolina → NC
7. South Carolina → SC
8. Colorado → CO
9. Connecticut → CT
10. North Dakota → ND
11. South Dakota → SD
12. Delaware → DE
13. Floride → FL
14. Georgia → GA
15. Hawaii → HI
16. Idaho → ID
17. Illinois → IL
18. Indiana → IN
19. Iowa → IA
20. Kansas → KS
21. Kentucky → KY
22. Louisiana → LA
23. Maine → ME
24. Maryland → MD
25. Massachusetts → MA
26. Michigan → MI
27. Minnesota → MN
28. Mississippi → MS
29. Missouri → MO
30. Montana → MT
31. Nebraska → NE
32. Nevada → NV
33. New Hampshire → NH
34. New Jersey → NJ
35. New York → NY
36. New Mexico → NM 
37. Ohio → OH
38. Oklahoma → OK
39. Oregon → OR
40. Pennsylvania → PA
41. Rhode Island → RI
42. Tennessee → TN
43. Texas → TX
44. Utah → UT
45. Vermont → VT
46. Virginia → VA
47. West Virginia → WV
48. Washington → WA
49. Wisconsin → WI
50. Wyoming → WY

How to write an address for Canada

Here is the structure of an address for Canada:

1. First and Last Name (with title, if needed: Mrs, Miss, or Mr)
2. Street Number and Street Name
3. City, Province/Territory Abbreviation, and Postal Code
4. Country Name: CANADA (if sending from outside Canada)

In Canada, the postal code is formatted as 2 groups of 3 characters, with letters (in capital letters) and numbers.

Abbreviations of the 10 Canadian provinces and 3 federal territories

1. Alberta → AB
2. British Columbia → BC
3. Prince Edward Island → PE
4. Manitoba → MB
5. New Brunswick → NB
6. Nova Scotia → NS
7. Nunavut → NU
8. Ontario → ON
9. Quebec → QC
10. Saskatchewan → SK
11. Newfoundland and Labrador → NL
12. Northwest Territories → NT
13. Yukon → YT

How to write an address for Australia

Here is the structure of an address for Australia:

1. First and Last Name (with title, if needed: Mrs, Miss, or Mr)
2. Street Number and Street Name
3. City, State/Territory Abbreviation, and Postal Code
4. Country Name: AUSTRALIA (if sending from outside Australia)

In Australia, the postcode is presented as 3 capital letters followed by 4 numbers.

Abbreviations for Australian states and internal territories

1. South Australia → SA
2. Western Australia → WA
3. New South Wales → NSW
4. Queensland → QLD
5. Tasmania → TAS
6. Jervis Bay Territory → JBT
7. Australian Capital Territory → ACT
8. Northern Territory → NT
9. Victoria → VIC

Adapting an address format to different media

Your address format may change depending on where it’s being written. Let’s explore how to:

• Place addresses on envelopes or packages (both recipient and sender)
• Write an address on a resume
• Format an address on one line

Writing an address on an envelope or package

On an envelope or package, include:

• Recipient’s address in the center
• Sender’s address in the top left corner, on the same side
• Stamp in the top right corner, also on the same side

Key Point: In many English-speaking countries, unlike in some other places (like France), both the sender’s and recipient’s addresses are placed on the front of the envelope, not on the back.

This format is widely accepted internationally for mail.

Writing an address on a resume

On a resume, your postal address is typically placed at the top left, alongside other personal details like:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Digital presence (website, social media)

Writing an address on one line

When you write a postal address on an envelope, a package or a resume, no punctuation marks are necessary. However, when writing an address in one line (for example, on a resume or in an email), you should separate each group of element with a comma, like this:

1. Title (if necessary), first name, and last name
2. Street number and name
3. City
4. State or region abbreviation and zip code
5. Country (if applicable)

Providing additional information in an address

An address is used to provide the recipient’s name, street number and name, city name and postal code, and country. But what about other relevant information? You can include other relevant details like:

• Apartment or Suite
• Company name
• PO Box
• Date or polite formulas

Specifying an apartment or suite in the address

To specify the apartment, hotel room, or suite number, place it directly after the street number and name. You can write it either:

• on the same line as the street, or
• on a separate line right after the street name.

Note: Americans use the term apartment, but the British prefer flat.

Specifying a company name in the address

To include your recipient’s company in the address, place it immediately after the recipient’s first and last name and before the street name.

Specifying a PO Box in the address

To include a PO Box  (for Post Office) in the address, place it between the recipient’s name and the rest of the address. A PO Box replaces the street number and name.

Adding a date or introductory polite formula

In formal letters, the date of sending should be placed below the sender’s address, written on a single line. You can format it in various ways, such as:

Examples:

• September 12, 2060
• Sept. 12, 2060
• 12 September 2060

Introductory polite phrases follow the date, at the beginning of your letter. If you know the recipient, you will use:

• Dear Mr Sanders
• Dear Mrs Castillo
• Dear Ms Foster
• etc.

If you don’t know your recipient, you will use:

• Dear Madam
• Dear Sir
• Dear Sir/Madam
• etc.

Vocabulary related to sending mail

The English language also has many terms for different types of streets and mailing services. Here’s a guide to help you understand and use the right terms and abbreviations when dealing with addresses and postal services.

Common street types, abbreviations, and descriptions

Street type	Abbreviation	Definition
avenue	Ave	A wide street, often lined with trees or buildings.
boulevard	Blvd	A broad, multi-lane road, usually with trees or a median.
court	Ct	A short street or dead-end road, often residential.
crossroad	Xrd	An intersection where two or more roads meet.
drive	Dr	A long, winding road, often residential.
lane	Ln	A narrow road, typically in rural areas or a small street in towns.
place	Pl	A short, closed street or a square in a town or city.
plaza	Plz	An open public square or marketplace.
road	Rd	A main street or highway that connects different areas.
street	St	A public road in a city or town, lined with buildings.
way	no abbreviation	A small or narrow road, often residential.

Useful Vocabulary for Sending Mail

• receipt: Proof of payment or acknowledgment of receiving something.
• address: The location where mail is sent.
• to stamp: To apply a postage stamp to mail.
• mailbox: A box where mail is received or sent.
• post office: A place where mail is processed and sent.
• postcard: A card for sending short messages without an envelope.
• postal code / ZIP Code (US): A number that identifies a specific location for mail delivery.
• parcel: A package sent through the mail.
• priority mail: A faster mail service for urgent deliveries.
• addressee / recipient: The person to whom mail is sent.
• sender: The person who sends the mail.
• counter: A service desk at the post office.
• letter: A written message sent by mail.
• registered letter: A letter with proof of delivery.
• headed paper / letterhead: Paper with a company or organization’s name and address at the top.
• by air mail: Mail sent via air transportation.
• claim: A formal request for compensation for lost or damaged mail.
• return to sender: When undelivered mail is sent back to the original sender.
• postal rates: The cost to send mail.
• postage charge: The fee for sending mail.
• stamp: A small piece of paper showing that postage has been paid.
• sort: To organize mail by category, destination, or type.