P.O. Box

P.O. Box stands for “Post Office Box,” and that’s essentially what it is—a secure box at a local post office where you can receive mail. Each mailbox has its own P.O. Box number and street address at a post office location. For this reason, P.O. Boxes offer a convenient way to receive mail without having to reveal your real address. As a remote mailbox, they also allow you to collect mail in a location where you don’t have a street address. 

P.O. Boxes come in several sizes to fix varying personal or professional needs. Typically you can choose from five sizes between 3 inches by 5.5 inches to 12 inches by 22.5 inches. The smallest size is enough for several letters and a few rolled magazines, while the largest size can fit multiple packages. 

While anyone can use a P.O. Box, it’s particularly common for small businesses. Sole proprietorships or individuals who run their business from home may choose to use a P.O. Box address as their professional address to protect their personal information and separate their business and private lives. That said, many states don't allow formal entities—such as an LLC or corporation—to use P.O. Boxes for business registration.

To learn more, read our in-depth guide to P.O. Boxes and how to use them.

FAQs 

Is there an alternative to a P.O. Box?

Yes, a virtual mailbox is one alternative to a P.O. Box. A virtual mailbox offers many of the same benefits as a P.O. Box—such as privacy and mail forwarding—but digitizes your mail for easy access from anywhere.

How much does a P.O. Box cost?

P.O. Box prices vary widely based on factors like the size of the box, the length of the rental period, and its location. You can spend as little as $19 for a short-term rental in a rural location or as much as $658 for a long-term rental in an expensive urban area.

What is P.O. Box mailing address?

To write a P.O. Box mailing address, list your name, followed by "P.O. Box" coupled with the box number, and finally the post office's address where the box is located.

Here's an example of the format:

Your Name

P.O. Box 1234

City, State 01011

Do P.O. Boxes offer mail forwarding?

The post office does offer mail forwarding services, but not as the main purpose of your P.O. Box. If you want a secure remote mailbox to use for mail forwarding, a virtual mailbox may be a better option.