Addressing

The Postal Service makes the following recommendations when addressing mail:

• Use a simple sans serif type with a uniform thickness.
• Type or machine-print in a dark ink on a light background with a uniform left margin.
• Use the two letter state abbreviations.
• Use one space between the city and state and two spaces between the state and ZIP Code.
• Use the appropriate 5-digit ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code.

Address Examples

Some general address examples:

ZIP Code and Address Information

The Postal Service web site has a variety of addressing information including:

• ZIP Code look up
• ZIP Codes within a city or town
• Cities or towns within a ZIP Code
• State abbreviations, street suffixes and secondary unit designators
• Addressing information for Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
• The Postal Service's booklet, Postal Addressing Standards , describes the standardized address formats for domestic mail. This publication includes standard abbreviations for streets, counties, highways and business terms. Printed copies are available from us at no charge.