How to Write a Rhode Island Address (With Examples)

Address basics  |  June 1, 2026  |  2 min read

Here is how to write a mailing address in Rhode Island, with examples from Providence and Providence and the most common mistakes to avoid.

The standard format

The state is always written as RI, two capital letters with no periods. USPS prefers the city, state and ZIP on the same final line.

Example: Providence

Example with an apartment in Providence

Example with a PO Box

PO Boxes often have their own ZIP code, separate from street addresses in the same town. Check the ZIP with the post office that holds the box.

Common mistakes

• Writing the full state name or an old abbreviation instead of RI.
• Dropping the leading zero from the ZIP code in spreadsheets.
• Putting the apartment number on a line below the street address.
• Using a ZIP code from a neighboring city. One city can have many codes, but each street belongs to a specific one.

Counties and local details

Rhode Island is divided into 5 counties. The county does not appear in a mailing address, but it matters for sales tax, elections and some shipping rules, so many business systems store it separately.