To send a package to the UK, you must use the correct address format to make sure it reaches the recipient without delays or getting lost. UK postal services rely on standardised formatting to accurately process and deliver mail. That’s why it’s important to follow the structure below:
The recipient’s name
House number and street address
Locality name (Post Town)
Post Code (in block, capital letters)
Country (in block capital letters)
Capital letters make the postcode and country easier to read for sorting machines and postal workers. This helps improve delivery accuracy and processing speed, especially for international mail.
What is the correct UK address format?
A properly written UK address helps postal workers accurately sort and deliver your letter or parcel. Each address line plays a role in narrowing down the destination to the exact location, street, building, and house.
The address should be written in the following order:
Address Line
Information
Recipient’s name
Full name of the individual receiving the mail, including title (e.g. Ms. Jane Doe)
Company name
Business or organisation name, and/or department if relevant
Address line 1
Flat, apartment, suite, or unit number (if applicable)
Address line 2
Building name (if relevant), or house/building number and street name
Post Town / City
The post town or city used for sorting and delivery (e.g. London)
Postal Code
UK postcode in capital letters
Country
Country in capital letters for international mail
❌ Warning
To properly address your letters, make sure you do the following:
Do not use commas or full stops at the end of address lines.
Always align the address to the left, even if the layout appears centred on the envelope.
Ensure you have a premise identifier, such as a building name or number and a street address.
Do not leave blank lines in the address. If, for instance, a flat number or company name is not applicable, enter the next available detail on the following line to maintain a complete and well-formatted address.
If you are sending mail within the UK, you do not need to include the country name. Only add “United Kingdom” if you are posting from abroad, such as from the US.
Below, find a comprehensive list of UK address examples given according to different scenarios of recipients and the details to include
1. Standard Residential Address
The following is the most common residential address format used in the UK.
Address Line
Example Entry
Explanation
Recipient’s name
Mr. Jameson Walker
Full name of the recipient, including title (fictional example)
Address line 1
01 Mulberry Crescent
House or building number followed by the street name
Address line 2
Hollowcombe
Locality or post town
Post Code
TR21 9ZZ
Fictional using a valid UK format
Country
United Kingdom
Include the country only if the mail is from abroad to the UK
❌ Warning
Do not use country codes as abbreviations like GB or GBR in the address line. GB is the ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code, and GBR is the alpha-3 code for the United Kingdom. These are used in customs forms, logistics systems, or shipping APIs and not for written or printed addresses.
For postal purposes, always write the country name in full and in English. For example, when sending mail to the UK from abroad, include “United Kingdom” as the final line of the address.
2. Residential Addresses with Flat or Unit Number
If your recipient lives in a multi-occupancy building, such as a block of flats,, apartments, or converted houses with several separate units, then the address format should include the flat or unit number, to ensure that the post is delivered to the correct individual within the building.
Address Line
Example Entry
Explanation
Recipient’s name
Dave Hill
Full name of the recipient (fictional example)
Address line 1
00 Kingston Wharf
Building number and street name (fictional, using the real UK format)
Address line 2 (optional)
Apartment AQ
Flat or unit number within the building (fictional, using a valid UK format)
Address line 3
East Fenwick
Post town or city
Post Code
DL4 3XX
Postcode in capital letters (fictional, using the real UK format)
Country
United Kingdom
Only include the country if the mail is being sent to the UK from abroad
3. PO Box Address Sample
A recipient may use a PO Box with carriers such as Royal Mail for privacy, security, or practical reasons. When sending mail to a P.O. Box, the address should be formatted as follows.
Address Line
Example Entry
Explanation
Recipient’s name
Josh Wheaton
Recipient's full name (fictional name)
PO Box
PO Box 12345
PO Box number (fictional, aligned to a real UK format)
Address line 2
Millbridge
Post town or city
Post Code
MK12 7QQ
Fictional post code in a valid format
Country
United Kingdom
Only include the country if the mail is being sent to the UK from abroad
4. Commercial Address Format Example
A commercial address is typically more detailed than a residential one. It may include the recipient’s title and department, which helps ensure that mail is delivered to the correct individual or team within a larger building or organisation.
Address Line
Example Entry
Explanation
Recipient’s name
Ms. Amy Ryan, Communications Director
Recipient's full name and title (fictional name and title)
Department
Client Service Department
The department within the organisation where Ms. Ryan works
Business Name
Awesome Company Name
Company name
Address line 1
Suite 402, Level 4
The internal office, suite, or floor number within the building
Address line 2
18 Marlbridge Avenue
Building number and street name
Post Town
Newford
Post town or city
Post Code
WC1A 9ZZ
Fictional postcode in correct format
Country
United Kingdom
Only include the country if the mail is being sent to the UK from abroad
How do I format the address if I am sending post internationally?
If you are sending mail internationally, for example from the US to the UK, the main difference is that you must include the destination country on the final line of the recipient’s address in full and capital letters.
Find below how to format the address.
How to Format a UK Address When Mailing from the US
How do I display the return address details if I am posting to the UK or internationally?
If you are sending mail to the UK from the United States, you must include a USPS formatted return address on the envelope or parcel. This ensures that undeliverable items can be returned to you and helps both USPS and Royal Mail process the item correctly.
Find below how to format the address
USPS Return Address Format (for International Mail):
Address Line
Example Entry
Explanation
Sender’s name
Ms. Olivia Pope
Full name of the sender (fictional)
Address line 1
2597 Walnut Creek Road
Street address or PO Box (USPS-approved format)
Address line 2
Apartment 5B
Apartment, unit, or suite number (if applicable)
City, State, Zip Code
Austin, TX 78704
City, two-letter state code, and ZIP code in standard USPS format
Country
USA
Country in block letters (the abbreviation is allowed for US address formats)
Does the Post Office offer an address verification tool?
Screen capture of Royal Mail's Address Verficiation Tool
FAQs
How do I address mail to the UK?
To address mail to the UK, include the recipient’s name, street address, town or city, and postcode in capital letters. If you're posting from outside the UK, add “UNITED KINGDOM” as the final line. Always follow the order below to ensure accurate and timely delivery.
Recipient’s Name
Flat or Unit Number (if applicable)
Building Number and Street Name
Post Town or City
Postcode (in capital letters)
UNITED KINGDOM (only if sending from outside the UK)
How do I format the UK mailing address if I am shipping items into the UK?
When shipping items into the UK from another country (e.g. the US), format the recipient’s address like this:
Start with the recipient's full name
Then the building number and street name
Follow with flat or unit number (if applicable)
Add the post town or city
Include the full UK postcode in capital letters
Finish with “UNITED KINGDOM” as the last line.
Avoid skipping lines if any detail is irrelevant; just move on to the following line.
How do I format the US addresses correctly if I am sending mail from the UK to the US?
Begin with the recipient’s name and street address, then the city, state abbreviation, and ZIP code. To complete the address for international delivery, add “USA” as the final line.
How to Format a US Address When Mailing from the UK
How do I format an international address?
When sending international mail, the key is to follow the destination country’s address format, and always:
Write the country name in full and in English
Use capital letters for the country name
Do not skip address lines
Place the country on the final line of the address
Ensure your return address is formatted according to your country's postal standards.
Article by
Robert Carter
Robert Carter is a seasoned digital entrepreneur with 25 years of experience helping small and medium-sized enterprises navigate the intricate landscape of UK company compliance. Rooted in a personal belief that businesses wield significant potential to impact communities and the world, Robert is passionate about optimizing business efficiency and promoting sustainable business practices. He frequents the gym, enjoys cycling, and solves puzzles in his free time.
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