Did you know there’s a proper way to write your apartment address? According to the United States Postal Service (USPS), there’s a correct way to do it, and you’ve likely been doing it wrong this whole time.
Address corrections cost USPS millions each year. Plus, if you fill it out incorrectly, the recipient may have difficulty submitting a claim the mail is lost, so it’s definitely worth your time to learn how to write it down the right way. We’ll explain the best way to write an apartment address.
Whether you live in an apartment in San Francisco or a house in Savannah, there’s a proper way for your address to be written out that will ensure that your mail gets to your mailbox.
P.S. It’s all about the ZIP and that second line of that apartment address. It turns out, the second address line you find on many online and paper address forms isn’t necessary to fill out. Keep reading to find out how to write an apartment address.
How to write an apartment address correctly
When you’re ordering online or sending a postcard to a friend, there’s usually a second line included where many people typically write their apartment or unit number.
However, USPS guidelines state that line two isn’t needed; all address information should go on one line instead. When writing an address with an apartment number, simply skip the second line.
According to USPS postal addressing standards, a complete address should only include these three lines:
Recipient Line
Delivery Address Line (Street address)
Last Line (City, State ZIP+4 code)
How to write an address with the apartment number
If you need to include a unit number for your apartment, you only need to add a comma on the delivery address line with that information. Don’t use the second line for it. For example:
Jane Doe
123 Berry Lane, BLDG A, Unit B (all in the first line)
New York, NY 12345
But what is the second line for?
The second line does have a purpose that most of us won’t need to use.
Things you can include on the second line are secondary addresses, attention designations, C/O (in care of) addresses, company addresses or special instructions for delivery. For example, this lets that person know who the package is for:
Jane Doe
C/O Tiny Tim
123 Berry Lane, APT # 4
New York, NY 12345
If you need to let your delivery driver know how to find your apartment, the second line is the place to do so. You can use abbreviations for “building,” for example, when writing the address for your apartment.
You should try to adhere to the USPS standards for both deliveries and return addresses, so your mail will have a better chance of always getting to you, especially if it bounces back.
How to use abbreviations in your apartment address
If your address or street name ends up being too long, you can use abbreviations approved by USPS and use them as second address designations. For example:
Jane Doe
123 Berry Lane
UNIT B
New York, NY 12345
Common abbreviations that you can use in your apartment address include:
- Apartment – APT
- Building – BLDG
- Floor – FL
- Suite – STE
- Room – RM
- Department – DEPT
- Unit – Unit (no abbreviation)
How to use the pound sign in your apartment address
The second tip is how to use a pound sign when writing your apartment address. USPS requires you to add a space between the pound sign (#) and the apartment number. It’s all in the details. For example:
Jane Doe
123 Berry Lane NW, APT # 4
New York, NY 12345
Make sure you always include the directional information for your street, especially NE, NW, SE and SW. Skipping the directional information means your package could end up on the wrong side of town, as many cities have two different streets with the same name.
[contextly_auto_sidebar]
How to use proper capitalization and the ZIP+4 code (aka the 9-digit zip code) in your apartment address
When writing your apartment address, proper capitalization and including the ZIP+4 code can make a significant difference in ensuring your mail arrives accurately and on time.
Using all capital letters for each part of your address—including street names, apartment numbers, and state abbreviations—helps postal employees quickly read and sort your mail.
Additionally, the ZIP+4 code (also known as the nine-digit zip code) is especially useful because it narrows down the delivery route to a much more specific location, like your apartment building or even floor. This is crucial, particularly in larger complexes where multiple units share similar address lines.
Adding the ZIP+4 code after the standard five-digit zip code can reduce the chances of misdirected mail and speed up delivery time. So, next time you’re checking your address formatting, remember that paying attention to capitalization and the nine-digit zip code can help make sure your mail finds its way to you without delay.
How to use “attention” or “care of” when writing an apartment address
When writing an apartment address, using “Attn.” (attention) or “C/O” (care of) can help make sure your correspondence gets to the right recipient within a shared household or a professional setting. The notation “C/O” (care of) is handy if you’re sending mail to someone at a different address than their own—for example, when a letter is being sent to a friend’s place or an organization on behalf of someone. You’d write the apartment address as usual, but add “C/O” before the name of the person receiving it on the recipient’s behalf.
Meanwhile, “Attn.” (attention) is useful when mailing to a specific person in a larger organization or apartment complex, ensuring your mail goes directly to them without delay. Simply put “Attn.” at the start of the address line with the person’s name to keep it direct and clear. These notations make your mail more efficient, helping it reach its intended person without confusion or misplacement.
How to format an apartment address for more than one mail recipient
There are three ways to correctly display the Return and/or recipient name field names if there’s a partner or spouse. You can use ‘The Smith Family,’ Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Ms. Jane Doe and Mr. John Smith. Write it in one single line, for example:
Ms. Recipient 1 and Mr. Recipient 2
Street Address, APT # 4
City, State ZIP+4 Code
If you recently moved and need to change your address
Moving requires you to change your address in many places — from your bank to your streaming services. USPS will forward your mail from your old address (you can sign up on their site), but since you’re a new resident, it’s important to use your legal name when signing up for new services.
Remember, the postal carrier is going by the name in the mailbox in your apartment building. Using a nickname instead of your legal name may cause some of your mail to not make it to you, after a change of address.
Plus, if you ever hold your mail for any reason, you’ll need to show a valid ID at the post office to pick it up. Avoid any headaches by using your legal name.
The apartment address format matters to postal service workers
When writing your address, make sure to pay attention to the details. Use a ballpoint pen and write clearly to avoid any smudges.
Make sure you double-check your unit number, use your legal name and make sure to follow the rules listed above to make sure you’ve formatted the address correctly.
These days, our postal carriers need all the help we can give them. Start practicing how to write your apartment correctly after moving and eliminate the second address line to reduce confusion and make deliveries easier.
