How to address an envelope or parcel in the UK

A correctly written address helps Royal Mail's sorting machines read your post and gets it delivered faster. Here's the right format, with examples.

The standard UK address format

Write each part on its own line, aligned to the left:

1. The recipient's name
2. House number and street name (or house name)
3. Locality, if needed (a village or area within a town)
4. Post town, in CAPITALS
5. Postcode, in CAPITALS, on its own line

Example: a house

Mrs Jane Smith
14 Oak Avenue
Kingsthorpe
NORTHAMPTON
NN2 6AB

Example: a flat

Mr Tom Jones
Flat 3
22 High Street
BRISTOL
BS1 2AW

Example: a business

Accounts Department
Example Trading Ltd
Unit 5, Riverside Park
LEEDS
LS10 1AB

These are made-up examples to show the layout.

Tips for getting it right

• The postcode matters most. Sorting machines rely on it. If you're not sure of a postcode, look it up with Royal Mail's online postcode finder.
• Don't use commas or full stops at the ends of lines.
• Write clearly in dark ink, or use a printed label.
• You don't need to write the county – it hasn't been required for years.
• Leave space in the top right for the stamp or postage label.

Return address

Write your own address on the back of the envelope or on the top left of a parcel, ideally starting with "Return to:" or "From:". If your item can't be delivered, it can then come back to you instead of going to the National Returns Centre.

Addressing international post

• Use the address format of the destination country – some put the postcode before the town, others after.
• Write the country name in CAPITALS on the last line, in English.
• Include the recipient's phone number on parcels; couriers and customs often need it.

Our country pages explain the local address formats for popular destinations.

Where to put the stamp

Stamps or postage labels go in the top right corner. On parcels, put the label on the largest flat side. See our stamp prices to check you've got the right postage.