The following applies to addresses in the United States. Addresses in other countries should be presented in a style consistent with the postal requirements of that country. The correct way to present U.S. addresses is not determined by the style guides of Western Michigan University or the Associated Press, but by the requirements and preferences of the U.S. Postal Service.

Use the standard U.S. Postal Service abbreviations below for addresses, whether used in text or block address form. As a general guide, the inclusion of a ZIP code makes it an address; the omission of a ZIP code makes it a location. (See also state abbreviations.) Do not use postal service abbreviations for locations. Always use them for addresses.

Location
Paul and Mary Moore reside on East Main Street in Portage, Mich.

Addresses
Write to Paul and Mary Moore, 1313 E Main St, Portage MI 49024-2001.

Paul and Mary Moore
1313 E Main St
Portage MI 49024-2001

In addresses, USPS abbreviations are used for both the street address and state, and there is no punctuation in the lines for the street address or city, state and ZIP code.

University addresses

Addresses for the Kalamazoo campuses of WMU should be presented as shown below. Always include the correct four-digit ZIP code extension (Mail Stop) for the department or office.

Name of individual, Title (optional)
Name of college, department or office (optional)
Western Michigan University
1903 W Michigan Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008-XXXX USA

Western Michigan University is globally engaged. Always include USA.

Common USPS-approved abbreviations

Apartment - Apt
Avenue - Ave
Boulevard - Blvd
Building - Bldg
Center(s) - Ctr
Circle(s) - Cir
Court - Ct
Drive - Dr
East- E
Expressway - Expy
Extension - Ext
Fort - Ft
Freeway - Fwy
Height(s) - Hts
Highway - Hwy
Island - Is
Junction - Jct
Lane - Ln
Mount(ain) - Mt
North - N
Northeast - NE
Northwest - NW
Parkway Pky
Place - Pl
Post Office - PO
Road - Rd
Rural Delivery - RD
Rural Route - RR
Saint - St
South - S
Southeast - SE
Southwest - SW
Spring - Spg
Springs - Spgs
Square(s) - Sq
Street - St
Suite - Ste
Terrace - Ter
Turnpike - Tpke
West - W