Royal Mail format reminder for written addresses

Royal Mail have only been around for 500 odd years, so you’d think by now that we’d all know how to write an address on an envelope? Perhaps not though, as they’ve issued a reminder for us and in fairness things change over time, like including a country is no longer necessary and is now simply an optional extra.

In reality, Royal Mail don’t want anyone to handwrite addresses any more, which is why when you go to a Post Office they’ll often stick an address label carrying the postage over your carefully handwritten address. And of course if you buy postage online you’ll either print your postage label or for collections your Postie will bring a label with them.

The excuse is that printed makes for fewer mistakes with automated sorters, but the reality is Royal Mail want everything to have a barcode on it and for that you need a printed label. For those who still handwrite labels: The name and address go on the bottom left corner of the front of the envelope or parcel.

Use clear and easy to read handwriting (or font if you are printing the address). Write the name of the town or city in capital letters. No need to include the county (But do make sure you have the Postcode!)

Use a pen or ink that is clear against the colour of the envelope or parcel (or use a black print on white label) Left align the text (no centred or ‘stepped’ lines). No commas or full stops. Leave a generous margin around the address. Place the correct postage on the top right.

And, Write the words ‘return address’ on the back of the envelope and underneath that, the actual return address so if it’s undeliverable your item can be returned to you.

All sounds simple enough for the UK, and in general for International Mail you should add the country name after the Post Code, but for ecommercy people that want to ensure their shipments arrive on time, Royal Mail have a handy address formats for specific countries list available on their website.