To fill out an envelope correctly, you just need to know where three things go: recipient address , return address, and stamp.

Quick Scoop: Basics

Think of the front of the envelope like a little map for the postal service:

  • Recipient’s address: center, slightly lower than the middle.
  • Return address: top left corner.
  • Stamp: top right corner.

As long as those three are clear and in the right spots, your letter can be delivered.

Step-by-step: How to Fill Out an Envelope

  1. Write the recipient’s address (the “TO” address)
    • Place this in the center of the front, a bit below the halfway point.
 * Use this format, each item on its own line:

   * Full name (e.g., Jane Smith)
   * Street address or P.O. Box (include apartment/suite on the same line if possible)
   * City, State ZIP Code (e.g., Austin, TX 78701)
  1. Write your return address (the “FROM” address)
    • Put this in the top left corner on the front of the envelope.
 * Same basic format as the recipient:

   * Your full name
   * Your street address or P.O. Box
   * City, State ZIP Code
 * This lets the post office send it back if it can’t be delivered.
  1. Place the stamp
    • Put the stamp in the top right corner of the front.
 * For a normal letter in the U.S., a “Forever” stamp is usually enough for 1 oz.
  1. Check for clarity
    • Write clearly in block letters (no fancy cursive).
 * Leave some blank space around the addresses—don’t crowd the edges or the stamp.

 * Avoid extra notes or doodles near the addresses so machines can read them.

Example Layout (Front of Envelope)

Imagine you’re mailing a letter to a friend:

  • Center (recipient):
* Taylor Robinson
* 1020 Pine Avenue Apt 3B
* Brooklyn, NY 11211
  • Top left (you):
* Alex Rivera
* 1855 Maple Street
* Los Angeles, CA 90026
  • Top right: one postage stamp.

Extra Tips for a Neat, Professional Look

  • Many postal guides recommend all caps and minimal punctuation for best machine reading (e.g., “BROOKLYN NY 11211”).
  • Keep addresses left-aligned within their block, even though the whole block is centered on the envelope.
  • Double-check apartment numbers, ZIP codes, and spelling of names to prevent delays.

TL;DR:
Center the recipient’s name and address slightly below the middle, put your return address in the top left, and place the stamp in the top right; write clearly and keep it simple.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.