How to Tell Your Address in the UAE (With Examples)
The short answer
The UAE has no ZIP or postal codes, not even in Dubai. To tell someone your address, give them your building name and flat number, area, emirate, a nearby landmark and your mobile number. In Dubai and several other emirates, add your Makani number; in Abu Dhabi use your Onwani address; and for letters and bank mail use a P.O. Box from Emirates Post.
If you are new to the UAE, or ordering something online for the first time, the question "what is your address?" can be confusing. There is no postcode to type in, many roads have no clear house numbers, and a courier will probably call you to ask where you are. This guide explains how addresses really work here and gives you ready-to-copy examples you can use today.
Last updated: November 2026. Checked against current guides and official pages. I replaced an earlier statement in this post about Dubai having postal codes, because the UAE does not use postal codes anywhere.
In this guide
- Why UAE addresses feel different
- What to give, and when
- Makani numbers (Dubai and others)
- Onwani (Abu Dhabi)
- Sharjah, Ajman and the other emirates
- P.O. Box: how it works
- What to enter in a ZIP code field
- Copy-paste address examples
- Build your own address (free tool)
- Tips for expats and new arrivals
- Mistakes to avoid
- FAQ
Why UAE addresses feel different
- No postal codes. The UAE does not use ZIP codes, so there is no code that points to your street.
- Mail goes to P.O. Boxes. Traditionally, letters are collected from a P.O. Box rented from Emirates Post, not delivered to your door.
- Couriers use detailed directions. Parcels and food delivery rely on a building name, a landmark, a pin and your phone number, and in some emirates a digital building code.
- Each emirate does things a little differently. Dubai uses Makani, Abu Dhabi uses Onwani, and other emirates mix building details with landmarks.
What to give, and when
| Situation | What to give |
|---|---|
| Parcel, courier or food delivery | Building name, flat or villa number, area, emirate, Makani or Onwani number if you have one, and your mobile number |
| Letters, bank and government mail | Your name, P.O. Box number, emirate and country |
| Taxi or ride | Your location pin plus the nearest landmark |
| Online form asking for a ZIP code | 00000 or N/A, with your full address in the other fields |
| Emergency | Your exact location. In Makani areas, the Makani number helps responders find your building entrance quickly |
Makani numbers (Dubai and others)
Makani means "my place" in Arabic. It is a 10-digit number from Dubai Municipality that identifies the exact entrance of a building or plot. It is not a postal code, but it is the closest thing the UAE has to a precise digital address.
Where Makani is used
Makani is used in Dubai, and published guides also list Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain. Abu Dhabi uses a different system, Onwani (see below).
How to find your Makani number
- Check the building. The number is displayed on a plate at the entrance. In apartment buildings it is usually in the lobby, and on villas it is on the outer wall.
- Use the website. Go to makani.ae and search for your building or land.
- Use the app. Download the Makani app from Dubai Municipality, choose Find My Building or Find My Land Number, and the number appears on the map.
- Ask. If you cannot find it, building security or reception can usually tell you.
What Makani is useful for
- Helping couriers and visitors find the right entrance
- Helping police, ambulance and civil defence find you faster
- Saving and sharing your exact location
Tip: save your Makani number in your phone notes along with your building name, so you can paste it whenever someone asks.
Onwani (Abu Dhabi)
Abu Dhabi uses Onwani, a system that names streets and numbers buildings. Building signs carry a QR code that opens the location, directions and a shareable address on your phone.
- Look up your address on the Onwani map, or through the TAMM Abu Dhabi portal and app.
- Scan the QR code on your building sign to open your address card.
- For couriers, give the building number, street name, Onwani number or QR link if you have it, then "Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates".
Abu Dhabi does not use a traditional ZIP code either. If a form demands one, use 00000 or N/A.
Sharjah, Ajman and the other emirates
- Sharjah: I did not find a single official digital code used the way Makani is used in Dubai. Use your building name, flat number, area, a clear landmark and a location pin, and add a P.O. Box for letters.
- Ajman: Makani numbers are used. If you need an official record of your address data, Ajman offers a Comprehensive Addressing Request through its government services. It gives spatial addressing data, including the Makani number and coordinates. You sign in with UAE PASS and the published fee is AED 100, with a processing time of about 3 days.
- Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah: Makani numbers are listed for these emirates too, so check your building entrance, makani.ae or the app.
If you live in Sharjah and are weighing it against its neighbours, see my guide on Sharjah vs Dubai vs Ajman.
P.O. Box: how it works
A P.O. Box is a numbered mailbox at an Emirates Post office. It is still the standard way to receive letters, bank statements and government mail in the UAE.
- Who can rent one: individuals and businesses. An individual needs an Emirates ID, an active UAE mobile number and a payment card.
- Cost: it is billed yearly, starting at a few hundred dirhams. Check the Emirates Post website for the current price.
- How to write it: your name, then "P.O. Box 12345", then your emirate, then "United Arab Emirates".
- Collect it yourself: mail is collected from the post office, not delivered to your flat.
Many couriers prefer a physical address and a phone number, so for parcels give your building details as well as, or instead of, a P.O. Box. If your Emirates ID has expired, renew it before you apply: see my guide on renewing your Emirates ID.
What to enter in a ZIP code field
Many international websites will not let you continue without a ZIP or postal code. Try these in order:
- 00000 (or 000000 if the field has six digits)
- 99999
- N/A, or leave it blank if the field is optional
Make sure the country is set to United Arab Emirates and the emirate is correct. The placeholder does not decide where your parcel goes. The courier uses your address and phone number. Do not use random postcodes you find online.
Copy-paste address examples
Replace the details in brackets with yours. These examples use made-up names and buildings.
Dubai: parcel or courier
Ali Hassan Apartment 1204, Example Tower Example Community, Dubai Makani: [10-digit number] Landmark: Next to [nearby landmark] Mobile: +971 50 123 4567 United Arab Emirates
Dubai: letters and bank mail
Ali Hassan P.O. Box 12345 Dubai United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi
Sara Ahmed Building 14, Example Street Onwani: [number or QR link] Abu Dhabi Mobile: +971 55 123 4567 United Arab Emirates
Sharjah or other emirates
Omar Khan Flat 305, Example Building, Example Area Sharjah Landmark: Opposite [nearby landmark] Mobile: +971 52 123 4567 United Arab Emirates
International online shopping
Address line 1: Apartment 1204, Example Tower Address line 2: Example Community City: Dubai State/Province: Dubai ZIP/Postal code: 00000 Country: United Arab Emirates Phone: +971 50 123 4567
Build your own address (free tool)
Fill in what you have and copy the result. Nothing is saved or sent anywhere: it all happens in your browser.
For parcels and delivery
Fill in the fields above.
For letters and mail (needs a P.O. Box)
Add a P.O. Box number to see this version.
Tips for expats and new arrivals
- Always give the building name. It is usually more useful than a street name, which many people do not know.
- Say the community or compound name if you live in a gated community, because drivers search for it by name.
- Pick one landmark that everyone knows: a mall, mosque, metro station, big supermarket or well-known hotel. Learn how to say it the way locals do.
- Send your location pin by WhatsApp or another messaging app. A pin beats any written description.
- Keep your phone on and answer unknown numbers around delivery time. Couriers and drivers almost always call.
- Write your mobile number in +971 format on forms. Delivery companies use it to reach you.
- Put your name on the mailbox or intercom and tell the reception desk about your deliveries.
- Save your address in your notes. Keep a ready-to-paste block with the building name, flat number, landmark, Makani or Onwani number and your phone number.
What to say on the phone to a driver or rider
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a made-up postcode from a website. Use 00000 or N/A instead.
- Giving only "near the mall" with no building name or phone number.
- Giving only a P.O. Box when ordering a parcel. Add your building details too.
- Leaving out the emirate or the country on international forms.
- Using a Makani number from another building. Check the plate at your own entrance.
- Forgetting your flat number, or giving a wrong floor, in tall towers.
Your address checklist
- Building name and flat or villa number
- Area or community and emirate
- Makani number (Dubai and some other emirates) or Onwani (Abu Dhabi)
- One easy landmark
- Mobile number in +971 format
- Location pin saved in your messaging app
- P.O. Box for letters and bank mail
Frequently asked questions
Does the UAE have postal codes or ZIP codes?
No. The UAE does not use a ZIP or postal code system, and that includes Dubai. Mail goes to a P.O. Box from Emirates Post, and couriers deliver to a detailed street address with a phone number. If an online form insists on a code, enter 00000 or N/A.
What ZIP code should I enter for Dubai or Abu Dhabi on an online form?
Enter 00000 (or 000000 for six-digit fields). If the site rejects it, try 99999, N/A or leave the field blank. The placeholder does not change where your parcel is delivered, because the courier uses your address and phone number. Do not use made-up area postcodes from the internet.
What is a Makani number?
A Makani number is a 10-digit code from Dubai Municipality that identifies the entrance of a building. It helps couriers, visitors and emergency services find you. It is listed for Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Umm Al Quwain.
How do I find my Makani number?
Look at the plate at your building entrance (in the lobby for apartment buildings or on the outer wall for villas), search at makani.ae, or use the Makani app and choose Find My Building. If you cannot find it, ask building security or reception.
What is Onwani in Abu Dhabi?
Onwani is Abu Dhabi's addressing system. It names streets and numbers buildings, and building signs carry a QR code that opens the location and a shareable address. You can look up your Onwani address on the Onwani map or through the TAMM portal and app.
Do I need a P.O. Box in the UAE?
For letters, bank correspondence and government mail, usually yes, because mail is delivered to P.O. Boxes rented from Emirates Post. For parcels and food delivery you can usually use your building address, a phone number and a Makani number instead. An individual P.O. Box needs an Emirates ID, a UAE mobile number and a payment card, and it is billed yearly.
How do I give my address to a taxi driver or food delivery rider?
Share your location pin by message, say the building name and the nearest landmark, and keep your phone on so they can call. In Dubai you can also give your Makani number. A pin plus a landmark works better than a long written address.
How do I write a UAE address for international shipping?
Write your name, building name and flat or villa number, street, area or community, the emirate, and UNITED ARAB EMIRATES on the last line. Add a UAE mobile number in +971 format. Use 00000 or N/A if the form demands a ZIP code.
What address should I use in shared accommodation?
Use the building and flat number as usual and add your room or bed number and your own mobile number. Put your name on the mailbox or tell the building reception, so deliveries are not left with the wrong person.
Over to you
Which emirate do you live in, and how do you give your address when someone asks? Leave a comment with your emirate and any trick that works for you, and I'll add the best tips to this guide. If it helped, share it with a friend who is new to the UAE.
Addressing rules and fees can change, so check makani.ae, the Onwani map or TAMM, and the Emirates Post website for the latest information. This is a personal blog and not an official source.
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