Addresses around the world
Address Line 1 and Address Line 2: What Goes Where
What belongs in address line 1 and what belongs in line 2? A short guide to filling these two common form fields without errors.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
Most address forms offer two long text fields, labelled "Address line 1" and "Address line 2". They exist because addresses vary in complexity, and one line is not always enough.
Address line 1
Address line 1 holds the primary delivery location: usually the building number and street name, or whatever identifies the property in the destination's convention. In places without street names, it may hold a house name, plot number or village. See building number and street name.
Keep it clean:
- One location, not several.
- No unit or floor, unless the destination expects it here.
- No phone numbers or instructions.
Address line 2
Address line 2 holds secondary detail:
- Apartment, flat, suite or unit
- Floor, entrance or staircase
- Building or complex name
- Department or "care of" information
- Landmark or collection instructions, if there is no separate note field
See apartment, unit and floor notation.
Examples of the split
- Line 1: the number and street. Line 2: the unit and floor.
- Line 1: a house name. Line 2: the lane or area.
- Line 1: a PO box. Line 2: left empty.
What does not belong in either line
- City, region, postal code and country, which have their own fields.
- The recipient's name, which has its own field.
- Long delivery instructions; use a notes field if available.
Why forms use two lines
Some carriers print each line as a separate label row, and sorting software reads them in order. Keeping a consistent structure means fewer misreads. See address fields in online forms.
For designers
Do not make line 2 required. Label it as optional and give an example in the hint text. Allow enough characters for longer building names.
Summary
Use line 1 for the primary place and line 2 for the extra detail. Keep everything else in its own field.
Frequently asked questions
Is address line 2 required?
Usually not. It is for extra details such as a unit, floor, building name or business name, and can be left empty if you have nothing to add.
Can I put the whole address in line 1?
It is better not to. Splitting details between lines keeps the main street address clean and makes the form easier for systems to read.