How to Write an Address With a Mailbox Number

The Correct Way to Write an Apartment Address (You've Been Doing it All Wrong)

• Address corrections cost the United States Postal Service (USPS) about $14 million between 2012 and 2013
• The second line in the address isn't for your apartment number
• Find out how to write your address correctly below

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.

Between 2012 and 2013, address corrections cost USPS about $14 million.

Plus, if you fill it out incorrectly, the recipient may have difficulty submitting a claim if lost, so it's definitely worth your time to learn how to write it down the right way.

Although your mail has probably gotten to you with no problem, there's a proper way for your address to be written out that will ensure that your mail gets to your mailbox.

Hint: it's that second line. 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 a common apartment address
• Writing an apartment address with a unit number or letter
• When to use the second line
• How to write an apartment address with abbreviations
• How to write an apartment address with a pound sign
• Writing an apartment address to multiple recipients
• How to change your address

How to write an apartment address

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, the USPS says line two doesn't exist, and you should include all of the information in one line.

You should ignore it when writing an address with an apartment number.

The USPS postal addressing standards say a complete address consists of only three lines as follows:

Recipient Line
Delivery Address Line (Street address)
Last Line (City, State ZIP code)

How to write address with 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.

Using 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)

Using 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.

Address format for more than one 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 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.

Apartment address format matters

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.

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.

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How to Write an Address With a Mailbox Number

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