Quick Answer: How to Write a Korean Address in English
To write a Korean address in English, start with the recipient’s name, then write the detailed apartment or room number, road-name address, district, city or province, 5-digit postal code, and South Korea.
A safe English format looks like this:
English Address Example
Full English Format
Gildong Hong
Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Korean Original Example
Korean Format
서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 152
101동 1203호
06236
Korea uses road-name addresses and 5-digit postal codes. Korea Post provides an official postal code search tool, and the official Road Name Address website provides English road-name address lookup.
Why Korean Addresses Look Confusing in English
Korean addresses can feel confusing because Korean address order is different from English address order.
In Korean, addresses usually move from large area to small area.
Korean Order
Basic Structure
City or Province → District → Road Name → Building Number → Detailed Unit → Postal Code
English Order
Basic Structure
Recipient Name → Apartment or Unit → Street Address → District → City → Postal Code → Country
This is why directly translating a Korean address word by word can look strange in English. The goal is not to translate every word perfectly. The goal is to keep the address understandable for international senders and still clear for Korean delivery systems.
Korea’s current address system is based on road-name addresses, and the official English Road Name Address website provides searchable English address information.
What You Need Before Writing a Korean Address in English
If you do not know your postal code yet, read our guide on how to find your Korean postal code before writing your address in English.
Before converting your address into English, prepare the Korean version first.
Required Information
You need:
Korean road-name address
5-digit postal code
building name, if any
apartment building number
unit or room number
recipient name
phone number, if needed
Korea Post explains that the current Korean postal code is a 5-digit district number that replaced the older 6-digit postal code system.
Practical Tip
Best Rule
Do not start from a rough English translation.
Start from the correct Korean road-name address, then convert it into English.
Korean Address Structure Explained
A Korean address usually contains several parts.
Example Korean Address
Korean Original
서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 152
101동 1203호
06236
What Each Part Means
서울특별시
Seoul
강남구
Gangnam-gu
테헤란로 152
152 Teheran-ro
101동 1203호
Building 101, Unit 1203
06236
Postal code
Guides for foreigners commonly explain that Korean addresses may include road names, building numbers, floors, room numbers, and apartment units such as 층 and 호.
Step-by-Step: How to Write a Korean Address in English
Step 1. Start With the Korean Road-Name Address
First, get the correct Korean road-name address.
Example
서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 152
Use the official Road Name Address website if you need to confirm the address or find the English version.
Step 2. Find the 5-Digit Postal Code
Next, confirm the 5-digit postal code.
Example
06236
Use Korea Post’s official postal code search tool to check the postal code. Korea Post explains that the 5-digit district number replaced the old 6-digit postal code.
Step 3. Convert the Road Name Into English
Korean road names are usually romanized.
Example
테헤란로 → Teheran-ro
도로명주소 may include road endings such as:
-daero
-ro
-gil
For example, Korean address guides explain that street names often end in 대로, 로, or 길, depending on the road type.
Step 4. Write the Apartment or Room Number First
In English address format, the detailed apartment or unit information often comes before the street address.
Korean
101동 1203호
English
Apt. 101-1203
or
Building 101, Unit 1203
For deliveries inside Korea, the Korean version 101동 1203호 is often clearer. For international forms, Apt. 101-1203 or Building 101, Unit 1203 is easier to understand.
Step 5. Add District, City, Postal Code, and Country
After the street address, add district, city, postal code, and country.
Example
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Complete English Format
Final Example
Gildong Hong
Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Korean Address in English: Full Examples
Example 1. Seoul Apartment Address
Korean Address
서울특별시 강남구 테헤란로 152
101동 1203호
06236
English Address
Gildong Hong
Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Example 2. Officetel Address
Korean Address
서울특별시 마포구 양화로 45
8층 801호
04036
English Address
Gildong Hong
Room 801, 8F, 45 Yanghwa-ro
Mapo-gu, Seoul 04036
South Korea
Example 3. Villa or One-Room Address
Korean Address
부산광역시 해운대구 해운대로 100
302호
48095
English Address
Gildong Hong
Room 302, 100 Haeun-daero
Haeundae-gu, Busan 48095
South Korea
Should You Use Korean or English for Korean Addresses?
It depends on where you are using the address.
Use Korean for Domestic Korean Delivery
If you are adding the address to Coupang, follow our step-by-step guide on how to enter a Korean address on Coupang.
Use Korean when entering your address on:
Coupang
Baedal Minjok
Coupang Eats
Market Kurly
Naver Shopping
Korean courier forms
Korean delivery systems usually recognize Korean road-name addresses more reliably.
Use English for International Forms
If phone verification is your main problem, read our guide on using Coupang without a Korean phone number.
Use English when writing your address for:
international shipping
overseas family or friends
foreign bank forms
international school forms
embassy or visa-related documents
global shopping websites
Best Practice
Practical Rule
Keep both versions saved:
Korean version for Korean apps
English version for international use
Common Mistakes Foreigners Make
Mistake 1. Translating the Address Word by Word
A word-by-word translation can make the address awkward or confusing.
Better Method
Use the official English road-name address format when possible.
The official Road Name Address website provides English road-name address search, which is safer than manually translating every part yourself.
Mistake 2. Forgetting the Apartment Number
The road-name address gets the package to the building.
The detailed address gets it to your door.
Wrong Example
152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Better Example
Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Mistake 3. Using an Old 6-Digit Postal Code
Korea now uses 5-digit postal codes.
Wrong Example
123-456
Correct Example
06236
Korea Post confirms that the 5-digit district number replaced the old 6-digit postal code system.
Mistake 4. Putting South Korea in the Wrong Place
For international mail, always include the country clearly.
Correct Country Line
South Korea
Do not only write Korea if the form asks for a country. Use South Korea for international clarity.
Mistake 5. Using English Format on Korean Apps
English format is useful for international mail, but Korean apps may not recognize it well.
Practical Rule
Use Korean address format on Korean apps.
Use English address format for international use.
What If You Cannot Translate Your Korean Address?
If you cannot write your Korean address in English, do not guess.
Option 1. Use the Official Road Name Address Website
Search your Korean address and check the English version on the official road-name address site.
Option 2. Use Korea Post Postal Code Search
Use Korea Post to confirm the postal code and official address information.
Option 3. Ask Your Landlord, School, or Host
If you are staying in Korea, ask the person who manages your housing.
Message You Can Send
영문 주소를 알려주세요.
Please send me the English address.
More Specific Message
우편번호와 영문 도로명주소를 같이 알려주세요.
Please send me the postal code and English road-name address.
Korean Address Terms You Should Know
도로명주소
Meaning
Road-name address
우편번호
Meaning
Postal code
동
Meaning
Building
호
Meaning
Unit or room number
층
Meaning
Floor
구
Meaning
District
시
Meaning
City
Copy-and-Paste English Address Templates
Apartment Template
Template
Recipient Name
Apt. Building-Unit, Road Name + Building Number
District-gu, City Postal Code
South Korea
Example
Gildong Hong
Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro
Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236
South Korea
Officetel Template
Template
Recipient Name
Room Number, Floor, Road Name + Building Number
District-gu, City Postal Code
South Korea
Example
Gildong Hong
Room 801, 8F, 45 Yanghwa-ro
Mapo-gu, Seoul 04036
South Korea
Villa or One-Room Template
Template
Recipient Name
Room Number, Road Name + Building Number
District-gu, City Postal Code
South Korea
Example
Gildong Hong
Room 302, 100 Haeun-daero
Haeundae-gu, Busan 48095
South Korea
Final Checklist Before Using Your English Korean Address
Check These Before Submitting
Did you include the recipient name?
Did you include the apartment or room number?
Did you write the road name and building number?
Did you include district and city?
Did you include the 5-digit postal code?
Did you write South Korea as the country?
Did you use Korean format for Korean apps?
Did you use English format for international forms?
FAQ
How do I write a Korean address in English?
Write the recipient name first, then apartment or room number, road-name address, district, city, postal code, and South Korea. For example: Apt. 101-1203, 152 Teheran-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236, South Korea.
Should I write Korean addresses in English or Korean?
Use Korean for domestic Korean apps like Coupang or delivery apps. Use English for international shipping, overseas forms, and people outside Korea who need to read the address.
What does 101동 1203호 mean in English?
It means Building 101, Unit 1203. In English, you can write it as Apt. 101-1203 or Building 101, Unit 1203.
Where do I put the Korean postal code in an English address?
Put the 5-digit postal code after the city or district line. For example: Gangnam-gu, Seoul 06236, South Korea.
Can I use Google Translate for a Korean address?
You can use it for rough understanding, but do not rely on it for final address formatting. Use Korea Post or the official Road Name Address website when accuracy matters.
What is the difference between Korean road-name address and land-lot address?
The road-name address uses road names and building numbers. The older land-lot system uses neighborhood and lot numbers. Korea’s current official address system is based on road-name addresses.
What country name should I use for Korean addresses?
Use South Korea for international forms and shipping. It is clearer than writing only Korea.
