Did you know that every country has a different way of writing postal addresses on letters or packages? If you’re new to the UK, getting the address format wrong may result in your mail being sent back to you.
With everything online these days, it’s easy to think that paperless is the only way to go. Automated bills and self-renewing subscriptions make it so we rarely use cash envelopes or even cheques anymore. But the truth is, not everything can be done virtually.
At Remitly, we understand there are many ways to stay connected around the world. And though digital communication might be easier, paper correspondence is still necessary in some cases. Plus, receiving handwritten notes sometimes is a true treat in a world full of technology. In this guide, we’ll show you how to write an address on a letter correctly to ensure it gets delivered, and share helpful tips for posting international mail from the UK.
What information do you need to use the Royal Mail?
“Snail mail”, as some people call it, might seem like an old form of communication. But knowing how to write, address, and send post remains a skill worth having. So, before picking up the pen—let’s get the details right.
Essential facts
The Royal Mail is the UK’s primary letter and delivery service. When preparing to send something, it’s best to ensure you have all the essential information. This will save you from wasting any envelopes, facing delivery delays, or having to pay extra fees to complete the process.
The Royal Mail recommends that every UK address include the following details:
- The recipient’s first and last name
- If they are recently married, ask which name to address them by.
- The recipient’s flat number, if applicable
- The building number and street name
- A locality or village name
- The town or city, also known as the “post town”
- The locale’s postcode
Why every detail matters
Each part of the address plays a crucial role, and leaving even one number or letter off can get your post stuck in Royal Mail limbo or sent right back to you. The post town and postcode are especially important, as they help the post office’s automated systems sort mail efficiently.
If you’re addressing a letter to a recipient for the first time, double-checking that their name is spelled correctly is also a good idea. Misspelling it on the envelope can appear unprofessional, especially if you’re sending something for a job, business, or personal matter.
How to write a UK address for the post, step-by-step
When addressing mail in the UK, clear writing and correct formatting are the goals. Now that you know what information you need to highlight on the envelope, let’s find out how to put it all together correctly, line by line, to ensure your post goes where it’s supposed to.
Here’s the correct line order for writing a UK address on an envelope:
- Line 1: Recipient’s name
Start with the full name of the person you’re writing to, for example, Mr John Smith. You can use titles, of course, but if you’re unsure, John Smith is also completely acceptable.
- Line 2: Flat number, building, and street name
Write the house number or building name, followed by the street name, such as Flat 2, 21 Royal Street. If the building number has a name but no number, place the name on its own line above the street name.
- Line 3: Locality
You’ll only need to include this if it helps clarify which part of town or city the address refers to.
- Line 4: Post town
Write this in capital letters, for example, LONDON or GLASGOW.
- Line 5: Postcode
Letters here should also be written in capitals and with the correct spacing, for example, E1 6AA or NW1 8AF.
Tips for success
When writing the recipient’s address, place it on the bottom left side of the envelope. All lines should be left-aligned and should not include any commas or full stops, as these symbols can interfere with the Royal Mail’s sorting machines.
And don’t worry about including the county! Royal Mail no longer requires this information as the postcode now provides all the routing information needed.
Once you’ve written the address clearly, all that’s left is sticking your stamp in the top right corner of the envelope. If you don’t have a stamp on hand, don’t send it out without one. Even if the address is correct, no stamp means no delivery. A quick walk to your local post office will easily fix this problem.
UK addresses in real life
With all this in mind, here’s an example of a properly addressed letter or package that you plan to send within the UK:
Mr John Smith
Flat 2
21 Royal Fake Street
Croydon
LONDON
BR3 3EH
On the envelope, it might look something like this:
|
Mr John Smith Flat 2 21 Royal Fake Street Croydon LONDON BR3 3EH |
Addressing an envelope to a business
When writing a formal letter to a UK business, the format generally remains the same. The only change is that you should add the business name and call attention to the specific person or department you’re contacting.
|
Box Company ATTN Paul Paulson 21 Royal Fake Street Croydon LONDON BR3 3EH |
Writing the business name may be sufficient in most cases, but highlighting a specific person or department can help the company sort your letter faster. If you only have the suite or floor number, add it under the business name, where you’d typically enter a name or department.
Addressing an envelope for international postage
If you’re sending a letter internationally, there’s only a slight variation in the format. However, the address still needs to be written in English, even if the packet is going to another country. So, if you’re sending a letter to Spain, for example, your envelope should clearly state “SPAIN” in capital letters, not “ESPAÑA”.
It’s also essential to avoid using country abbreviations, so there’s no confusion.
For a country like Spain, you’ll write the street address, building floor, and flat number on the same line. The next line should then include the postcode and city. Take a look at this example of a properly addressed envelope sent to European countries like Spain:
|
John Smith Calle Fake 62, IZQ 3, 5º2A 28028 Madrid SPAIN |
However, if you’re mailing someone in the US, the format is city, state, and postcode.
|
John Smith 3 Fake Street New York City, NY 10014 USA |
While commas and full stops might be acceptable in other countries, omit these symbols when sending letters from the UK, just as you would when addressing domestic letters. And if you’re unsure about an international address, check the Royal Mail website for more information or ask at your local post office.
Additionally, you’ll need more than just a single stamp for international letters. So, if you’re unclear about the requirements, head to your local post office, where Air Mail stickers and any additional postage needed will be fixed properly on the envelope.
Common mistakes that cause delays
Even though most of our communication these days happens online, there are times when we need to pick up a pen and write things out the old-fashioned way. A handwritten invitation, birthday card, or personal note is sometimes just the personal touch to show you care. But to ensure your message reaches the right person on time, avoiding some common mistakes is essential.
Misspelled names or location details
When writing a UK address, it’s always a good idea to slow down and double-check you haven’t made any mistakes. Misspelling a street name or leaving out part of the postcode can delay delivery or cause your letter to be returned. Since the Royal Mail performs automated sorting of letters, accuracy matters.
Unclear or illegible writing
Since many of us type far more than we write by hand, our handwriting might be a little rusty. Regardless, if the address on your envelope is messy, smudged, or just hard to read, the Royal Mail’s sorting machines might struggle to figure it out.
When this happens, your letter will need to be sorted manually. This extra step can delay delivery or result in the letter being returned to sender—and that’s only if you’ve remembered to indicate a return address.
Follow these tips to write legible addresses:
- Use a pen with dark, waterproof ink; blue or black is best.
- Avoid using pencils, felt-tip pens, or coloured pens. They’re often too light or might run if the envelope gets wet during transport.
- Write straight and evenly, ensuring each line isn’t too cramped.
- Take your time; writing slowly ensures you cross all your Ts and don’t forget any essential details.
If you have difficulty using your hands or feel your handwriting isn’t up to standard, print the address directly on the envelope or on a label instead. The Royal Mail offers the ability to generate postage labels that can be printed from your home.
Don’t forget the return address
You’re not required to write a return address on every post. But if you’re sending an important package or something containing sensitive information, including a return address will ensure you get it back if your letter cannot be delivered for any reason.
It’s common practice in most countries to place the return address at the top-left corner of your envelope. However, the Royal Mail also allows you to write it in the centre of the back flap to avoid confusing it with the recipient’s address.
If you’re sending international mail, be sure to use a return address that is located in the UK.
Why it still matters to know how to address a letter by hand
Understanding the correct format of a UK address can be quite useful. While digital technologies continue to evolve, handwriting is still a big part of daily life. Tax forms, government papers, job proposals—there are still plenty of reasons to send a letter.
Receiving a personal correspondence in the mail can be a special experience for the recipient, too. It shows a level of attention and care that’s hard to experience today.
For newcomers to the UK, knowing how to address packages following Royal Mail guidelines can also save you time and money. With the amount of bureaucratic processes and official documents immigrants have to deal with, the post office can easily become one of your most frequented locations. Plus, you’ll probably need to send packages back home. Being prepared will help you ensure that everything runs more smoothly.
FAQs
Where does the stamp go on the envelope?
Stamps always go in the right-hand corner of the envelope. For international letters, more than one postage stamp might be required. Check with your local post office before dropping your letter in the post box.
Do I need to include the county in the address?
No, the county name is no longer needed by the Royal Mail. Post towns and postcodes have all the required information.
What if the building has a name instead of a number?
In cases like these, write the name of the building above the street name and, if you have the information, note a specific person or department in a separate line to ensure your correspondence goes to the right place.
Is it acceptable to print the address instead of handwriting it?
Yes. If you’re concerned that your handwriting isn’t clear enough, printing the address guarantees that the address is legible and has no mistakes; just ensure it’s properly formatted.