How do you address an envelope to and from?

You can't send mail without envelopes, but it's easy to get confused about where they're supposed to fit into our letters and packages. Here are some common questions we've fielded over the years, along with step-by-step instructions for putting everything together correctly.

First off, if there is one thing that will make you want to give up writing and mailing letters altogether, it's having trouble figuring out where to write "From" on the outside of an envelope. We'll start at the beginning — what does this all mean anyway?

Where do you put the FROM and TO on an envelope?

The simple answer here is that those two lines need to be written inside (or onto) the actual envelope itself. This means no stamping them on the back flap or any other part of the outer packaging surrounding the contents of the envelope. If you have trouble doing so, try using permanent markers like Sharpies instead of ink stamps. They usually work better since they don't smudge as easily.

However, because you cannot technically include both the From line and the To line on the same piece of paper, you may find yourself needing to keep multiple pieces of paper handy while sending mail. One sheet should contain only your personal information, such as name, street number, etc., which would then lead down to the recipient's address. The second sheet could hold just the address of whoever sent you the package. But again, take care not to use a pen or marker on either of these papers since the ink might bleed through.

If you're looking for more detailed explanations of each section, check out USPS' helpful guide to addressing an envelope.

Where do the addresses go on the envelope?

It depends upon whether or not you're mailing a letter or a postcard. In general though, most people tend to place their names under the word "To," followed by their home address. However, many people also add an additional line underneath that says "Addressee." So if you're unsure who exactly you're going to be writing to, you can simply leave it blank.

In terms of numbers, it's best to follow suit. For example, if someone has three phone numbers listed on their home address, list them below that. Or if they live in a complex, listing the apartment number above the person's name works too. It's best to stick with this format unless the postal worker tells you otherwise.

While you're placing the addresses, there's another important consideration: How far away are you from the receiver? You generally want to list the closest address possible. That way you won't have to wait long before getting your reply. Don't worry if you accidentally misspell somebody's name, that happens frequently enough. As long as you still think it's them, it doesn't matter!

Also remember that if you're mailing something overseas, you'll probably want to list the country code right after the city/state portion. And if you're sending something to Canada, please note that the Canadian Post Office requires that you spell out the province designation even if you're mailing within the country as a whole.

Another tip worth mentioning is that if you're mailing anything fragile, it's always recommended to wrap it properly. A little bubblewrap or packing peanuts around artwork or photos helps to protect them from being damaged during transit.

What side of the envelope do you put the return address?

This question isn't really related to the others discussed here, but we thought it was good advice nonetheless. When you see the words "Return Address" on the front of the envelope, it means that you must print your own address on the reverse side. Typically, you wouldn't want to place your signature anywhere else than on the exterior of the envelope.

So now that you know how to fill in an envelope's various sections, let's talk about what order things typically appear in when sending a letter.

When writing up a letter, you'll likely begin with the salutation (e.g., Dear [recipient],). After that comes the greeting (e.g., Happy Birthday), and finally, the body of the message. While it varies slightly depending on the context, the standard practice is to end with a signoff like Thank You, Sincerely, Best Wishes, Regards, Yours Truly, etc.

That said, sometimes people prefer to skip the signoff entirely and just close the letter themselves. Some feel that leaving a space between the closing and signing makes the gesture seem less abrupt. Others claim it gives recipients time to read over their response. Whichever camp you fall into, just be mindful of etiquette and avoid ending messages with a full stop.

Finally, if you're sending a card or gift via snailmail, you may wonder what to do with the postage. Most experts suggest folding it once horizontally and tucking the resulting sticky tab behind the last corner of whatever item you mailed. Then fold it vertically and insert it into the upper left hand corner of the envelope. This ensures the cancellation bar faces downward while keeping the rest of the postage visible.

What goes first to or from in a letter?

Before we discuss what actually ends up on top of the page when you're done filling in the details, we'd recommend taking a look at the basic rules of grammar. Remember that proper punctuation is crucial when composing a letter.

For starters, capitalization plays a big role in determining what appears next to the title of the letter. Capitalizing every noun, pronoun, verb, adjective, adverb, conjunction, preposition, interjection, exclamation point, numeral, quotation mark, acronym, phrase, clause, sentence, paragraph, and entire document conveys authority and importance. On the flipside, lowercase text shows respect and humility.

Next, you'll want to pay attention to which parts of speech appear alongside certain verbs. Doing so helps convey clarity. For instance, saying "I am sorry I forgot your birthday party invitation" sounds much nicer than "i am sory i forget ur bday pary invite". Also consider separating compound modifiers into separate sentences. This prevents confusion and allows readers to understand clearly what you're trying to say.

Lastly, we highly encourage you to proofread your documents before final submission. Grammar mistakes will surely ruin your credibility, and nothing looks worse than typos. Take your time, and trust us, it takes longer than you think.

Now that we've covered some basics, let's finish up by talking about what actually ends up on top of the page when you're finished filling in the details.

As previously mentioned, the main reason why you should bother printing your own address is to ensure that it stays legible. With that in mind, it's best to opt for fonts that aren't overly fancy. Serif typefaces, sans serif typefaces, boldface typefaces, typewriter font, script typesetters, and old fashioned handwriting are ideal choices. Be careful with decorative scripts, however, since they tend to obscure rather than enhance the overall appearance of your address.

And speaking of appearances, don't underestimate the power of aesthetics. Making your address stand out against the backdrop of a white background is key. There's no limit to the ways you can do this; maybe choose colors that contrast well with your intended content, or pick a design that evokes feelings of warmth and security. Just beware of clashing colors, especially if you're sending something that contains lots of black ink.

One quick warning: Do NOT staple the pages together. Postal workers are trained to rip apart letters that are improperly sealed. Not only does this cause delays, but it poses a threat to your delivery service. Instead, double-fold the sheets, slip the stack between two pieces of wax paper, and drop it in a mailbox. Once opened, it should lie flat until ready for reading.

Envelopes are pretty handy things, capable of holding all kinds of stuff — money, letters, even photos. But if envelopes aren't addressed correctly, they can get tossed in the trash before anyone opens them up. Here's what you need to know about writing addresses on envelopes so that everything actually makes it where it needs to go.

Letters, packages, bills and other mail items have their own unique way of being addressed. For example, while there are many ways to make sure someone knows who the recipient of a package is (i.e., name, street number, city), there isn't one universal method for making sure an item ends up at its intended destination. The same goes with letters sent via snail mail as well as those sent using email or fax. Your first step should be knowing what type of message is inside each piece of mail you send out. Once you've figured this out, you'll want to follow some simple rules about writing addresses on letters and packages. Keep reading to find out more.

What order do you write on an envelope?

The most common rule is that you put your return postage stamp on last. This means when you're mailing something, start with the postmark date you really want people to see. In other words, always begin with "From" followed by the person sending the item. If you haven't received anything yet, such as a bill, then don't worry about putting any information above the fold line. Just stick it on top of the envelope flap once you receive it.

If you're looking to send multiple pieces of correspondence, though, you may also wish to consider starting with the sender's address. That would mean placing the sender's address on the upper left-hand corner of the envelope. Then add the recipients' addresses below that. Finally, include your return address on the lower right hand corner, just like you'd normally place it on a single letter.

You might think it would look better to place the return address directly under the main address, but doing so could cause problems down the road. When you seal a letter into an envelope, you're creating what is known as a franked envelope. A franked envelope has been sealed completely around the edges, leaving no space between paper layers. Because of the extra pressure created during sealing, sometimes the glue will push through certain areas of the envelope, causing it to rip apart. By keeping the return address separated from the rest of the envelope itself, you reduce the risk of tearing.

Keep in mind that not everyone follows this general guideline for mailing envelopes. Some postal workers prefer to keep the return address on the very top edge of the envelope because it allows them easier access to the stamps without having to bend over. Others simply use whatever fits best within the confines of their workspace. Either option works fine, however, provided you remember to take care of your mailing envelopes properly.

On which side to and from is written on envelope?

There are two basic sides to every envelope: the outside surface and the interior. You typically only print text on the exterior surface, so it makes sense to start printing on the side opposite your gummed label. For most envelopes, that means going clockwise when turning the envelope counterclockwise. However, USPS recommends beginning with the post office box rather than the ZIP code. So if you're mailing something that requires a zip code, turn the envelope counterclockwise until you reach the end of the alphabet and stop. From here, continue forward until you hit a capitalized I, after which you should begin again with the next letter. This method ensures that your postal barcode won't be mixed up with another area code.

When deciding whether or not you need to print the house/apartment numbers, figure out exactly where you live. If you live in a large apartment building, leave off the apartment numbers. Most often, building management doesn't require residents to fill out individual apartments anyway. If you still feel comfortable including your home address, try to avoid abbreviations like rd or st. Instead, opt for full names whenever possible. And if you decide to include your home phone number, don't forget the parentheses surrounding it.

Finally, be aware that different countries write addresses slightly differently. Generally speaking, they tend to write streets first, followed by cities. As a result, if you happen to be receiving a letter from abroad, be prepared to provide additional details regarding location, country, etc. It helps to check online listings of international locations to familiarize yourself with local conventions.

Which side is the back of the envelope?

It depends! On a standard business reply card, the back contains the company logo and contact info, like a P.O. Box number or website. These cards generally come preprinted with the company's address already printed on them. Other times, companies hire printers specifically to create custom business reply cards. Both types of cards usually feature a white background with black text and graphics. If you're unsure, ask whoever mailed the invitation or purchase the card. They should be able to tell you which direction to flip it to reveal the back.

However, if you're dealing with a personal greeting card, the back is likely blank, meaning you'll have to determine based on context which side is the face. Many wedding invitations present guests with both options: One side says Congratulations & Best Wishes while the other reads Greeting. Birth announcements offer similar choices. Even if you're uncertain, flipping it over will give you a good idea.

No matter which side you choose, make sure the reverse side isn't covered in any kind of adhesive. Adhesive residue can easily transfer onto the actual contents of the envelope.

Do you write on the front or back of an envelope?

Like the previous question, this decision largely comes down to usage. While some people insist on taking advantage of whichever side offers more room for handwriting, others believe that this leaves less room for error and leads to potential confusion. Regardless, either approach is acceptable. There are many instances in everyday life where you must deal with incompletely addressed envelopes. Sometimes you're given too much time to complete a task, resulting in errors. At other times, you simply miss a spot or get distracted midstream. To minimize frustration, err on the side of caution. Writing on the back gives you plenty of room for mistakes. Plus, you never know whose eyes might stumble across your mistake.

Mail carriers also appreciate having enough wiggle room on the front of an envelope, allowing them to quickly identify a particular delivery. Not only does this save them time, but it keeps customers happy since they know exactly where their package went. Ultimately, you shouldn't let aesthetics dictate which side of the envelope you write on. Rather, pay attention to practicality. If you're worried about potentially confusing your reader, don't stress. Everyone deals with misdirected mail occasionally, so it's no biggie. All you need to do is prevent future mishaps from happening in the first place.

While we may not be experts in the field of mail sorting, we certainly understand how frustrating it can be when our mail arrives incorrectly. Follow these steps and guidelines to ensure that you don't experience any unnecessary delays.

To learn more about how to address an envelope to and from, visit the links on the following page.

A survey conducted by Staples found that 38 percent of Americans open their mailbox daily. Another 22 percent wait three days to open theirs, and 13 percent opened them sooner.

You're ready for mail delivery, but what's next? You can't just toss that letter in the mailbox if it doesn't have your name printed clearly on top of it — you need to add addresses!

If you've ever been stuck wondering where exactly to place "to" and "from," here are some helpful tips to keep you up-to-date with all things snail mail.

So many questions... so little time. Luckily, we've taken care of most of them already. Here's everything you need to know about writing out envelopes with addresses, both personal and business alike.

Where do you write from and to on a package?

When you receive packages in the mail, you'll notice there is often one label per side of each box (and sometimes two labels at the very bottom of the packaging). This indicates which country the package was sent from and will be addressed to. For example, Canada has CANADA written above the From field while USA has UNITED STATES OF AMERICA written above the Filed line.

To find your own corresponding countries' codes, use this handy chart. It lists over 180 different postal services around the world. Just select your country code from the dropdown menu, then type in the specific city/town you want to send something too.

For instance, if I were sending an email from Australia, I would enter AUS as my country of origin, followed by SYDNEY. If someone asks me for my ZIP code, simply input ZONE 1 because every state in America has their own unique zone number. And finally, if I'm mailing a letter to New York City, NY, I'd look under NYCZIP since they have their own special numbering system.

The same goes with phone numbers. When calling someone from another region, dialing area code +1 should always come after local numbers like 202-555-1234. The North American Number System is used across the United States and Canada. Each carrier also uses their own regional variations. So if you're calling a Canadian friend who lives in Vancouver, BC, dialing 604-398-2282 might not get him any help. Instead, he could end up hearing a recording saying his call cannot be completed until he subscribes to Bell Mobility. To avoid confusion, check online before making calls between regions.

Now that you understand where to write your information from, let's move onto finding where you should write to.

How do you write an address to and from?

Your home address may seem simple enough, but figuring out where to put down other locations requires more thought. First off, make sure you include your full legal name. While you don't necessarily need to spell it out fully, it's good practice to include your last name along with your first initial. Also, remember to include your title if you work somewhere else besides home. Lastly, try including additional details such as apartment number(s), suite number, floor, etc., depending on where you live.

Once you decide where to address your letter or package, follow these general rules for standardizing street names:

Keep streets named alphabetically starting with the left side.

Make sure street signs match the direction of travel.

Avoid using abbreviations unless absolutely necessary.

It’s important to note that U.S. Postal Service regulations stipulate that you can only combine certain types of letters together within words. For example, you cannot combine the word STREET with the abbreviation DRIVE. However, you can combine CIRCLE, AVENUE, RIVER, STATE, FORT, FREEWAY, HILL, ROAD, WAY, CENTER, BOULEVARD, BLOCK, BROOKLYN, GRANT, LINDEN, LANE, PARKWAY, PROPERTY, QUARTER, SIDEBAND, SQUARE, TURNPIKE, VINE, WATER, AND HIGHEST WITH THE LETTERS OTHERS IN ALPHABET EXCEPT THOUSANDS SIGN OR YOD. Also, NEVER USE DOTS BETWEEN NUMBERS TO INDICATE STOP SIGNS.

As for businesses, you can either choose to provide both directions, or list the store location first. Most people tend to prefer listing the company name first, followed by the physical address. But again, stick to USPS regulations if you plan to print your own post office boxes.

What comes first to or from on envelope?

On a piece of plain paper without graphics or decoration, the order of items is typically Address, Post Office Box Numbers, Street Name, Apartment Number, Suite Number, Floor, Door Locator, Zip Code, Telephone Area Codes, and Mail Preference Line. That means that the address must appear in the upper right corner of the envelope.

However, if you are printing your own return address stamps, you can reverse those instructions. With proper planning, you can even create custom postage that looks better than anything the USPS offers. Be aware that you still shouldn't write your door locators directly on the stamp itself, though. Doing so can cause permanent damage to the ink.

Lastly, if you see a question mark anywhere, leave it blank. In fact, it's best to skip writing anything at all on the back of the envelope. According to the USPS, “[i]f [a] customer requests a Return Without Receipt form, fill in the blanks on the front of the envelope and omit completion of the rear panel."

Where does the from and to go on an envelope?

Whether you're mailing a letter or packing a small parcel into a larger one, the sender's address and recipient's address usually sit on opposite sides of the item. So on envelopes, the From and To fields are located on opposing corners. On a rectangular envelope, the From field sits on the right half and the To field resides on the left. Once again, follow the rule of keeping streets named alphabetically starting on the left.

Just make sure to pay attention to the size requirements. As stated by USPS standards, Letters sizes range from 4″ x 7 ½″ to 5½″ x 8 ¾″. Smaller envelopes measure approximately 3¼″ x 5⅝″ and fit flat objects such as cards or magazines. Medium envelopes measure slightly bigger at 3¼″ x 6″ and fit regular sized pieces of mail. Large envelopes are roughly 4½″ x 9″ and handle oversized documents like brochures or flyers. Standard Envelope Size measures approximately 5″ x 10 ⁄″.

And now, you've got all the knowledge needed to properly address your envelope. Keep this guide close at hand for future correspondence!