US Address Format Guide

Understanding proper US address format is essential for mail delivery, online forms, and business correspondence. American addresses follow a specific structure that differs from international formats.

Standard US Address Components

A complete US address contains five essential elements: recipient name, street address (or PO Box), city, state abbreviation, and ZIP code. The order matters—recipient first, then street, city, state, and ZIP. This format ensures accurate sorting and delivery by the United States Postal Service.

Street addresses include house number and street name. Apartment or suite numbers follow the street address on the same line. For apartments, use "Apt" or "#" before the unit number. Suite numbers use "Ste" followed by the suite number.

State Abbreviations

The US uses official two-letter state abbreviations for efficiency. These include AL for Alabama, AK for Alaska, AZ for Arizona, AR for Arkansas, CA for California, CO for Colorado, CT for Connecticut, DE for Delaware, FL for Florida, and GA for Georgia, continuing through all fifty states and DC.

ZIP Code Information

ZIP codes represent geographic areas for mail sorting. The first digit identifies a region, the next two digits identify the state or area, and the final two digits identify the delivery area. Extended ZIP+4 codes provide even more precision, including a hyphen followed by four additional digits.

Understanding address format prevents delivery delays and returned mail. Always verify city, state, and ZIP code compatibility—some ZIP codes cross city or state boundaries.