Think about the last time you explained your address to someone. It probably sounded like this: “Take the third right after the signal, look for the big tree near the Amul shop, cross the road, and you’ll see my house—it’s the one with a Royal Enfield parked outside.”
This casual way of giving directions works when guiding a friend.
But when you’re sending a letter or receiving a package, India Post relies on something much more structured: a properly written postal address.
In fact, India Post delivers 10 million letters and postcards daily. However, all this efficient and timely delivery depends strictly on how well the postal address has been written.
Wondering how to write an address on an envelope? Here’s a simple guide!
Overview of Basic Components of an Address on an Envelope
Understanding the “From” and “To” in a Letter
Every envelope has two key addresses:
- The “To” Address – This is the recipient’s address, written on the front of the envelope. It ensures that the letter reaches the right person.
- The “From” Address – This is the sender’s address. It allows the post office to return the letter if it is undelivered.
A well-formatted address ensures speedy and error-free delivery. Before diving into the format, here’s what each part of an address represents.
Essential Parts of an Address Format
Let’s look at an address example for domestic letters and break down each component –
To,
Mr Ramesh Senjaliya
705, Green Palms
VIP Road
Surat
395007
Gujarat, IND
| Components of Address | What does it denote |
| Mr. Ramesh Senjaliya | The name of the recipient/addressee |
| 705, Green Palms | Apartment Number, House Name/Building Name |
| VIP Road, Vesu | Street/Locality/Road/Area |
| Surat | City |
| PIN | Pin Code |
| Gujarat, IND | State and Country |
From,
Mr Kaushik Shrivastav
12-D, Aashiyana
Shyamla Hills Road
Bhopal
462002
Madhya Pradesh, IND
| Components of Address | What does it denote |
| Mr Kaushik Shrivastav | The name of the sender |
| 12-D, Aashiyana | Apartment Number, House Name/Building Name |
| Shyamla Hills Road | Street/Locality/Road |
| Bhopal | City |
| 462002 | Pin Code |
| Madhya Pradesh, IND | State and Country |
- Name – The Name indicates individuals who are the sender and receiver. One of both could also be a business entity.
- Apartment Number, House Name/Building Name – The next component is the house number/name identifying the exact building or house.
- Street/Locality/Road- It represents the locality, indicating commercial or residential area of the given city. In the example above, VIP Road is the road, while Vesu is the area.
- City – City or village in some cases.
- PIN code – It’s a very important component in sorting and mailing the letter. PIN codes help in efficient routing and speedy delivery. A letter might not get delivered at all in the absence of a PIN code.
- State and country – Indicates the state in the given country. IND stands for India.
Also Read: Here’s a list of Top 10 Courier companies in India 2025
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Write an Address on an Envelope
Writing the Recipient’s Address (“To” Address)
Follow these steps to correctly position and format the sender’s address:
- Positioning:
- Your company name and logo will go in the top left corner of the envelope.
- The logo should not exceed 25 x 50 mm in size.
- Spacing Requirements:
- Ensure the sender’s address is at least 15 mm away from the envelope’s left, right, and bottom edges.
- The distance between the address block and the top of the envelope must be at least 40 mm.
- Stamps and Impressions:
- Paste postage stamps or other impressions in the top right corner of the envelope.
- These elements should be at least 10 mm away from the recipient’s address block.
- The total space occupied by stamps and impressions should not exceed 74 mm in height.
- Barcode:
- Leave 15 mm of space at the bottom of the envelope for barcode printing.
- The barcode itself should not exceed 18 x 18 mm, with a 5 mm white space surrounding it.
Placing the Sender’s Address (“From” Address)
Ensure the recipient’s address is written clearly and adheres to the following guidelines:
- Positioning:
- The recipient’s address should be placed centrally on the envelope while adhering to the required spacing.
- Spacing Requirements:
- Maintain a minimum 15 mm gap from the envelope’s left, right, and bottom edges.
- Ensure the entire recipient address block is at least 40 mm from the top of the envelope.
- Additional Considerations:
- If printing advertisements on an inland letter card or privately manufactured envelope, leave 10 mm of white space around the recipient’s address block.
- The recipient’s address block must not be obstructed by stamps, logos, or any other elements.
Also Read: International Courier Partners for E-commerce in India: 2025
Envelope Address Format in India Post
The envelopes must be closed from all sides and free from residue of gum on the surface. The envelopes used must be made of a minimum of 70 GSM paper. It should be flexible enough to bend in a U-shape.
Layout for Speed Post Cover
The layout of a Speed Post cover should be simple, clear, and follow guidelines to ensure smooth processing and delivery.
- The envelope must contain a Speed Post sticker. The Speed Post stamp must be placed on the top right.
- The sender’s details go on the top left, including their name, address, and contact number. For a company, the logo should also be printed on the left.
- The recipient’s details should be centered in bold, clear letters for easy readability.
- Any tracking barcode should remain visible and unobstructed.
A clean, uncluttered design ensures the cover is processed quickly without confusion.
Standard Format for Regular Postal Envelopes
The standard format for regular postal envelopes follows a simple, structured layout to ensure hassle-free delivery.
- The sender’s address is written in the top left corner, including their name, full address, and contact details if needed.
- The recipient’s address should be centre-aligned towards the bottom of the envelope. Write clearly in capital letters to avoid misreading.
- The postage stamp is placed in the top right corner.
- The envelope size should be minimum of 140×90 mm or the maximum of 350×250 mm. If you need more specific sizing, check the official guidelines here.
Keeping the envelope neat and properly formatted helps ensure timely and accurate delivery.
Address Example for International Post
The exact guidelines for an international address varies from country to country. But all countries require you to state the name, area, city and postal code.
Some countries like the USA follow geocoding of the address for accurate deliveries, unlike India, where addresses are not standardized yet.
Be sure to include a complete and accurate Sender’s address so that your letter can be returned to you if it remains undelivered.
Include stamps that reflect the size and weight of the letter to guarantee delivery.
Here’s an example –
The Dzine Consult LLC,
Attn: Rishi Sunak
120 Broadway, 22nd Floor
New York, NY 10271
Here’s what this format implies –
| Components of Address | What does it denote |
| The Dzine Consult LLC | The name of the Business |
| Attn: Rishi Sunak | The receiver |
| 120 | Building Number |
| Broadway | Area |
| 22nd floor | Floor Number within the building |
| New York, NY | City and State |
| 10271 | ZIP Code |
| USA | Country |
This means The Dzine consult LLC’s office is located in a building at 120 Broadway in New York City, on the 22nd floor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Address
Even a small mistake in an address can lead to delays, misdelivery, or even loss of your letter. Here are some common errors people make and how to avoid them.
Common Errors in the “To” and “From” Address Placement
People mostly get confused and exchange “From” and “To” in letter.
They also wrongly place the address. Remember, To Receiver From Sender.
The “To” part helps the India Post employees to quickly identify where the letter will go. So, they need this important information in front of their eyes. Hence, this address needs to be placed at the front for efficiency.
Other common errors include-
Incomplete Address
Missing out on information will either lead to loss of package or non-delivery. For example, every other city in India has a MG Road. In absence of a PIN code or city name, there’s no way your letter will be delivered.
Typos in Address
You need to be careful in writing the correct address without crossing out or misspelling any components.
Incorrect Order of Address Components
The sequence follows from specific details to more common ones. Start with the Name and house number,and finish with the state and country.
Bad handwriting
Overly decorative or untidy handwriting can miscommunicate the address, leading to missed delivery of the letters.
Tips for Ensuring Accuracy in Address Format
Confirm the address with the receiver via a text message or WhatsApp to ensure you have the correct address to start with.
- Carefully tally the address. Don’t rush the process.
- Follow the best practices discussed here regarding layout and formatting to avoid any errors.
- Use all block letters to make your writing as clear as possible.
- The written address must be large enough to be seen from a distance.
- Use a ballpoint black/blue ink. Avoid ink pens etc.
Conclusion
You might have the most important document or message you want to deliver to your intended recipient. However, the message can easily get lost if the envelope is not addressed as per standard guidelines.
A correctly written address ensures your letter reaches its destination without delays or confusion. Follow these simple guidelines to make the most of India Post’s fast, reliable, and affordable service.