United States of America address format & examples

From the bustling streets of New York City to the wide-open spaces of Montana and beyond, the United States of America is a land of opportunity, freedom, and incredible diversity. Whether you're sending a letter to someone enjoying a Broadway show or mailing a package to a friend hiking the Grand Canyon, understanding the correct US address format is essential. On this page, you'll find everything you need, including multiple handy US address examples, to ensure your mail gets where it’s going without taking an unexpected road trip.

If you're curious about the United States Postal Service (USPS) and it's required format, it might be helpful to understand where it's perspective comes from. Founded near the birth of the nation in 1775, Benjamin Franklin was appointed as the first Postmaster General and laid the foundation for the modern postal system.

Over the years, the USPS has evolved and scaled to meet the needs of the country and the world. Innovations like the Pony Express and then airmail have helped to advance and speed up the postal services offered in the US.

Today, the USPS operates as an independent agency of the executive branch of the US government and uses slick technology for routing and address verification. To ensure the best and fastest service, you'll need to use the correct United States address format.

Not sure how to write an American address? Don’t worry, it’s simple! Below, you'll find the proper address format for the USA and a clear US address example to help your letters and packages reach anywhere in the country. No matter the size, shape, or weight of your package, knowing the right mailing address format for the US will keep anything you send on track.

Smarty is your trusted source for atomic-level location data. Just enter any American address, and we’ll get it formatted, standardized, and validated faster than you can take a swig of Coca-Cola. Using the correct USA address format is easier while also looking at an example of one done right:

1. Addressee line – The recipient’s full name, with optional titles (President?).
2. Building number and street address - If you're mailing to grid-based cities like Salt Lake City or Manhattan, you may need to include the street direction and street post direction.
3. City, state, and ZIP Code – Write the city first, followed by a comma, then the two-letter state abbreviation, followed immediately by the ZIP Code (NO comma) (e.g., Los Angeles, CA 90001).
4. Country – Written as United States, or shortened to USA.

And there’s so much more to United States location data than just the address format! From the USPS to address enrichment data, there’s something for everyone to explore. Whether you’re interested in ISO codes, county FIPS codes, or residential delivery indicators, we’ve got all the info to make your location data experience as smooth as can be.