Free Avery Label Template

What Is an Avery Label Template and Which Product Number Do You Need

An Avery label template is a document pre-formatted with cells that match the size and position of labels on a specific Avery product sheet. Each product number (such as 5160 or 5163) tells you the label dimensions and how many fit per sheet. Using the correct template ensures your text lands inside the label boundaries rather than printing on the gap between labels.

The most searched Avery numbers correspond to high-volume label types for mailing, shipping, and office organization. Avery 5160 and 8160 are interchangeable 30-up address labels (1 x 2.625 in); 5160 is laser and 8160 is inkjet. Avery 5163 is a larger 10-up shipping label (2 x 4 in), and Avery 5164 is a 6-up shipping label (3.33 x 4 in).

Return address, name badge, file folder, and product labels all have their own numbers with different dimensions and sheet counts. Check the product number on your packaging before opening a template file.

• Avery 5160 template (laser): 30 labels per sheet, each 1 x 2.625 inches; the standard address label for letters and packages
• Avery 8160 template (inkjet): identical layout to 5160 but optimized for inkjet printers; use this product number if you have an inkjet printer
• Avery 5163 template: 10 shipping labels per sheet, each 2 x 4 inches; fits standard shipping addresses with room for a barcode or logo
• Avery 5164 template: 6 large shipping labels per sheet, each 3.33 x 4 inches; best for larger packages or labels that include a return address block
• Avery 5167 template: 80 small return address labels per sheet, each 0.5 x 1.75 inches; used for return address stickers and small product labels
• Avery 5366 template: 30 file folder labels per sheet, each 0.6 x 3.4 inches; the standard for filing cabinets and manila folder tabs
• Avery name badge templates (5392, 5395, 8395): various sizes for conference and event name tags, typically with a larger area for the name and smaller lines for title and company

What to Include on Your Labels

The content of a label depends on its purpose, but these are the standard elements for the most common label types. Getting the content right in your planning template before opening the label file saves time because rearranging content inside a tight label cell is slower than deciding what to include before you start.

• Mailing address labels: recipient name on line 1, company name on line 2 (if applicable), street address on line 3, city plus state plus ZIP code on line 4, and country on line 5 for international mail
• Return address labels: your name or company name, street address, and city plus state plus ZIP; return address labels are small so keep it to three lines maximum
• Shipping labels (5163, 5164): ship-to name and address in the main area; optional return address block in the top-left corner; optional barcode or order reference number below the address
• Name badge labels: large first name or full name in the center (14 to 18 pt so it is readable from two to three feet away); job title or company in a smaller size below; optional event logo in the top-right corner
• File folder labels: folder title or category name; date range or document year if applicable; color coding is often done with background fill rather than text on file folder labels
• Product labels: product name, key specification (size, weight, or variant), and any required regulatory text such as 'Made in USA' or country of origin

How to Use an Avery Label Template in Word and Google Docs

Both Microsoft Word and Google Docs have built-in label template tools that let you select an Avery product number and auto-generate a correctly formatted document. This is faster than downloading and importing a template file because the label dimensions are already in the software's database.

1. In Microsoft Word: go to Mailings, then Labels. In the Label Options dialog, select Avery US Letter from the Label vendors dropdown. Type the product number (such as 5160) in the search box and select it from the list. Click OK and the document will format itself with the correct cell sizes and margins for that label sheet
2. In Google Docs: Google Docs does not have a native label tool, but several free add-ons (search the Google Workspace Marketplace for 'Avery label' or 'label merge') will let you select an Avery product number and generate a properly formatted document. Alternatively, you can use the tables feature to manually set column widths and row heights to match the label dimensions
3. Enter your label content: type your text inside the first label cell. Use the Tab key to move between cells in Word. Keep text at least 2 to 3 mm from the cell edge so it does not print too close to the label edge after slight paper shifts during printing
4. Use mail merge for large batches: if you are printing labels from a spreadsheet or mailing list, use Word's mail merge feature (Mailings, then Start Mail Merge) to connect the label template to your data source. This auto-fills each label from a row in the spreadsheet
5. Test print on plain paper: before loading your actual label sheets, print one test page on plain paper. Hold the printed sheet over a blank label sheet and check that the text sits centered within each label boundary. Adjust the margins if anything is misaligned
6. Load label sheets correctly: check your printer's manual for the correct paper orientation. Most printers feed label sheets face-up from the main tray. Do not reuse label sheets that have already been through a laser printer because the heat from a previous pass can cause labels to peel inside the printer
7. Print and inspect: after printing, check the first sheet before printing the full batch. Look for any labels where the text is cut off at the edge, printed in the gutter between labels, or misaligned by more than 1 mm

Avery Template Numbers: Common Product Reference

The Avery product numbering system can be confusing because many product numbers look similar and some products have been renamed or reformatted over the years. This reference covers the most commonly used templates organized by their primary use case.

• Standard address labels (30-up, 1 x 2.625 in): 5160 laser, 8160 inkjet, 18160 removable, 18660 clear
• Large shipping labels (10-up, 2 x 4 in): 5163 laser, 8163 inkjet, 5963 weatherproof
• Extra-large shipping labels (6-up, 3.33 x 4 in): 5164 laser, 8164 inkjet
• Return address labels (80-up, 0.5 x 1.75 in): 5167 laser, 8167 inkjet
• File folder labels (30-up, 0.6 x 3.4 in): 5366
• Name badge labels (8-up, 2.33 x 3.38 in): 5392 laser, 8392 inkjet; larger badges: 5395 or 8395
• 4x6 thermal shipping labels: 5164 is the closest sheet-fed Avery equivalent; for direct thermal label makers use Avery 4x6 thermal roll products

Label Printing Tips and Mistakes to Avoid

Label printing has a small set of problems that come up repeatedly, and most of them are avoidable with the right setup. These are the most common mistakes and how to prevent them.

• Wrong product number in the template: the most common cause of misaligned labels is selecting a template for the wrong Avery product. Always check the number printed on the side or back of your label sheet packaging and match it exactly in the template
• Skipping the plain-paper test: printing directly on label sheets without testing on plain paper first wastes an entire sheet if the alignment is off; the plain-paper test takes 30 seconds and saves an entire sheet of labels
• Margins too tight to the cell edge: entering text that fills the full cell width with no margin looks fine on screen but often prints with text touching or crossing the label edge; leave at least 2 to 3 mm of white space inside each label cell
• Reusing partial label sheets: if you print only part of a sheet and run the same sheet through the printer again, the exposed adhesive from already-peeled labels can catch on the print mechanism; use fresh sheets or a manual-feed slot if available
• Font too small for the label size: 8 pt minimum for very small labels; 10 to 12 pt for standard address labels; 14 pt or larger for name badges. Labels printed with 6 pt text are technically readable up close but frustrating in practice
• Not checking the print preview: always check print preview before printing; some label template files have different content in the first cell that shifts all other cells by one position, causing every label to print with the wrong address