What "typing out an address" means
Typing out an address means writing a mailing address in full words instead of abbreviations — for example, "123 Main Street, Apartment 4, Springfield, Illinois 62701" instead of "123 Main St, Apt 4, Springfield, IL 62701". You do this when a form, website, or mailing service asks you to spell things out completely, usually because a computer will read your entry and needs to match it against a database of real addresses.
The difference matters because postal sorting machines and address-verification software are literal. They look for exact matches. If you abbreviate "Street" as "St" when the official record says "Street", the system may flag your address as unverifiable or send your mail to the wrong place. Typing it out removes that friction.
You will most often see this requirement on shipping forms, voter registration pages, mortgage applications, and government websites. Some sites do it automatically — they let you type "St" and convert it behind the scenes. Others make you do it yourself.
Key Takeaways
- Spell out street types completely: "Street" instead of "St", "Avenue" instead of "Ave", "Boulevard" instead of "Blvd".
- Write out state names in full or use the two-letter postal code, but not both — the system expects one or the other.
- Include apartment, suite, or unit numbers on a separate line or clearly marked, because mail carriers need to know which unit inside the building.
- Check your address against the USPS address lookup tool or your local postal service website before submitting it on an important form.
The standard format for a typed-out address
The United States Postal Service publishes an official format, and most websites that ask you to type out an address follow it. Here is the order:
| Line 1 | Your name |
| Line 2 | Street number and street name, spelled out (123 Main Street) |
| Line 3 | Apartment, suite, or unit number (Apartment 4, Suite 200, Unit B) |
| Line 4 | City, state, and ZIP code (Springfield, Illinois 62701) |
Some forms combine lines 2 and 3 into one field labeled "Street Address" and ask you to put the apartment number on the same line: "123 Main Street, Apartment 4". Others give you separate fields. Follow what the form asks for. If a field says "Street Address" and you have an apartment number, put both on that line separated by a comma.
The ZIP code always goes last, after the state. Do not put it on a separate line unless the form has a separate ZIP code field.
How to spell out street types and directions
Street type abbreviations are the most common source of mismatch errors. Here are the ones you will see most often and how to spell them out:
| Abbreviation | Spelled Out |
| St | Street |
| Ave | Avenue |
| Blvd | Boulevard |
| Dr | Drive |
| Ln | Lane |
| Rd | Road |
| Ct | Court |
| Pl | Place |
| Pkwy | Parkway |
| Cir | Circle |
If your address includes a direction — North, South, East, or West — you can abbreviate it (N, S, E, W) or spell it out. Most systems accept both. "123 North Main Street" and "123 N Main Street" will both work. Pick one and stick with it on the form.
State names and postal codes
You have two choices: spell out the state name in full, or use the two-letter postal abbreviation. Do not do both. A form that sees "Springfield, Illinois IL" will treat it as an error because it looks like you entered the state twice.
If the form has a separate dropdown menu for state, select your state from the list and the abbreviation will fill in automatically. If you are typing into a single address field, choose one method and use it consistently. "Springfield, Illinois 62701" is correct. "Springfield, IL 62701" is also correct. "Springfield, Illinois IL 62701" is not.
The ZIP code is always five digits. If your address is in a territory (Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, Guam), the ZIP code still applies — look it up on the USPS website to make sure you have the right one.
Apartment, suite, and unit numbers
If you live in a multi-unit building, the apartment or unit number is essential. Mail carriers use it to deliver to the right door. Include it even if you think the street address alone is enough.
The format depends on what the form gives you. If there is a separate field labeled "Apartment", "Suite", or "Unit", put the number there without the word — just "4" or "200" or "B". If you are typing into a single "Street Address" field, include the full designation: "123 Main Street, Apartment 4" or "456 Oak Avenue, Suite 200".
Some addresses use letters instead of numbers (Unit A, Unit B). Type it exactly as it appears on your lease or mail. If your building uses "Apt" on the official address but the form asks you to spell it out, use "Apartment".
Checking your address before you submit
The USPS offers a free address lookup tool at usps.com. Go to the "Find a ZIP Code" section, enter your street address, city, and state, and the tool will show you the official format the postal service has on file. If your address does not appear or appears differently than you typed it, that is a sign the form may reject it.
This is especially useful before submitting addresses on government forms, mortgage applications, or shipping orders — situations where an address mismatch can delay or lose your mail. Take 30 seconds to verify it matches what USPS has in their system.
If your address does not appear in the USPS lookup, it may be new, or the building may not yet be in their database. In that case, type it as it appears on your lease, utility bill, or official documents, and note the issue when you submit the form if there is a comment field.
Common mistakes when typing out addresses
The most frequent error is mixing abbreviations and spelled-out words in the same address. "123 Main St, Apartment 4, Springfield, Illinois 62701" mixes "St" (abbreviated) with "Apartment" (spelled out). Pick one style and use it throughout. Either abbreviate everything or spell everything out.
Another common mistake is leaving out the apartment number or putting it in the wrong place. If you live in a building with multiple units and you omit the number, your mail may go to the building's main office or to a neighbor. Always include it, and put it on the same line as the street address or on its own line, depending on what the form asks.
Typing the state name and the two-letter code together is also frequent. The system sees "Illinois IL" and flags it as wrong. Use one or the other, not both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to spell out the street type if the form has separate fields?
It depends on the form. If there is a separate "Street Name" field and a "Street Type" dropdown menu, select from the dropdown instead of typing. If there is one "Street Address" field, spell it out. When in doubt, spell it out — systems are more forgiving of spelled-out text than abbreviations.
What if my address has a hyphen or apostrophe in the street name?
Type it exactly as it appears on official documents. "O'Fallon Street" keeps the apostrophe. "Smith-Jones Road" keeps the hyphen. These are part of the official address and help the postal service match it correctly.
Can I use a PO Box instead of a street address?
Yes, but only for mail delivery, not for packages or services that require a physical address. If a form says it needs a street address, a PO Box will not work. Type it as "PO Box 123" (or "P.O. Box 123" — both are accepted), followed by the city, state, and ZIP code.
What if I recently moved and the form asks for my address?
Use your current address, the one where you actually receive mail. If you are filling out a form that asks for a previous address in a separate field, use the old one only in that field. Do not mix addresses in the main address field.
Does capitalization matter when I type out an address?
Most systems do not care about capitalization — they will accept "123 main street" and "123 Main Street" equally. That said, typing it in standard format (capital letters for the street name, city, and state) makes it easier for humans to read if someone has to review it by hand.