Do You Need a Return Address on a Letter?

In the digital age, when emails and instant messages rule the communication landscape, the physical letter seems like a relic of the past. However, despite its decline in popularity, the humble letter remains a valuable tool for both personal and professional correspondence.

If you're planning to send a letter, one of the first things you'll need to decide is whether or not to include a return address. While it's not strictly necessary, there are a number of good reasons to do so.

Benefits of Including a Return Address

[Increased deliverability][1]: Letters without a return address are more likely to be returned to the sender or discarded by the recipient. The United States Postal Service estimates that over 15 million pieces of mail are returned to sender each year because they lack a return address.

Benefit	Percentage of letters returned
With return address	1%
Without return address	15%

[Professional appearance][2]: Including a return address gives your letter a more professional appearance. It shows that you're organized and that you care about the impression you make.

Appearance	Professionalism
With return address	Professional
Without return address	Unprofessional

[Easier to track][3]: If you're sending a letter that is important or time-sensitive, including a return address makes it easier to track its progress. You can use the USPS tracking service to track your letter's delivery status.

Tracking	Ease of tracking
With return address	Easy
Without return address	Difficult

How to Include a Return Address

If you decide to include a return address on your letter, there are a few things you need to keep in mind.

[Use a clear and legible font][4]: Make sure your return address is easy to read, even from a distance.

[Place it in the upper left corner][5]: The return address should be placed in the upper left corner of the envelope, about 1 inch from the top and 1 inch from the left side.

[Include all necessary information][6]: Your return address should include your name, street address, city, state, and zip code.

Font	Legibility
Clear and legible font	Easy to read
Unclear and illegible font	Difficult to read

Placement	Correctness
Upper left corner	Correct
Center of envelope	Incorrect

Information	Completeness
Name, street address, city, state, and zip code	Complete
Missing any information	Incomplete

Conclusion

Do you need a return address on a letter? While it's not strictly necessary, there are a number of good reasons to do so. A return address can increase your letter's deliverability, give it a more professional appearance, and make it easier to track. If you're planning to send a letter, be sure to include a return address in the upper left corner of the envelope.