Postcodes
Where to Write the Postcode on an Address
The postcode usually goes on the last line of the address or after the town, but conventions differ by country. Learn the common placements.
Updated 14 October 2026 · 2 min read
There is no single worldwide rule for where the postcode goes. The location is a national convention, and the safest approach is to follow the format used locally, usually shown on official mail addressed to the same area.
Common placements
Across the world you will mainly see these patterns:
- After the town, on the same line. Used in several English-speaking and other countries, sometimes with a region or state in between.
- Before the town, on the same line. Common in many European countries.
- On its own line. Used in some countries, usually just above the country name.
The country name, when sending internationally, goes on a line after these.
Why placement matters
Sorting machines are trained to look in expected places. A code in the wrong position can still be read by people, but automated reading may fail, forcing manual handling. See how mail sorting uses postcodes.
Rest of the address
Typical order from top to bottom is: recipient, building or house number and street, locality, town with postcode, then country. The street and number line gives the final delivery detail, while the postcode line serves the sorting stage. See postcode vs address vs coordinates.
Handwriting and printing
For handwritten items, write the postcode clearly and without joined characters, and keep it on the line where it belongs. Typed or printed labels should use a plain font and enough spacing. Common slips are covered in common postcode mistakes.
Online forms
Forms usually collect the pieces separately and assemble them in the right order. When a form asks for the country first, it can then show fields in the order customary there; see postcode formats in online forms.
International mail
For items going abroad, write in the destination's style; see writing postcodes on international parcels.
Adding an exact-location code
If you want to include an exact-location code such as a UPCS code, put it on a separate line or in the delivery notes, away from the official address block, so that it is not mistaken for the postcode.
Frequently asked questions
Does the postcode go before or after the town?
It depends on the country. Some put it before the town name on the same line, others after, and some use a separate line.
Should the postcode be on its own line?
Only if the local convention says so. Follow the format the national postal operator recommends.