US State Abbreviations: All 50 Codes and a Practice Quiz
Alaska is AK, Alabama is AL, and Arkansas is AR. The first two letters of a state's name won't always give you its postal abbreviation, which is where a quick lookup helps.
For a lookup, find the state in the alphabetical table below. For study, cover the code column and try to supply each answer, then switch columns. Recognizing a pair on the page and producing it from memory are different tasks.
All 50 US state abbreviations
These are the two-letter codes listed in USPS Publication 28, Appendix B, checked on September 16, 2026. Write each code as two capital letters, without periods.
| State | USPS abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Alabama | AL |
| Alaska | AK |
| Arizona | AZ |
| Arkansas | AR |
| California | CA |
| Colorado | CO |
| Connecticut | CT |
| Delaware | DE |
| Florida | FL |
| Georgia | GA |
| Hawaii | HI |
| Idaho | ID |
| Illinois | IL |
| Indiana | IN |
| Iowa | IA |
| Kansas | KS |
| Kentucky | KY |
| Louisiana | LA |
| Maine | ME |
| Maryland | MD |
| Massachusetts | MA |
| Michigan | MI |
| Minnesota | MN |
| Mississippi | MS |
| Missouri | MO |
| Montana | MT |
| Nebraska | NE |
| Nevada | NV |
| New Hampshire | NH |
| New Jersey | NJ |
| New Mexico | NM |
| New York | NY |
| North Carolina | NC |
| North Dakota | ND |
| Ohio | OH |
| Oklahoma | OK |
| Oregon | OR |
| Pennsylvania | PA |
| Rhode Island | RI |
| South Carolina | SC |
| South Dakota | SD |
| Tennessee | TN |
| Texas | TX |
| Utah | UT |
| Vermont | VT |
| Virginia | VA |
| Washington | WA |
| West Virginia | WV |
| Wisconsin | WI |
| Wyoming | WY |
A state abbreviation is separate from a ZIP Code. In an address, the two-letter code identifies the state; the ZIP Code is the numeric part that follows it. If a form has separate fields for state and ZIP Code, enter each in its own field.
Washington, DC uses DC, and Puerto Rico uses PR. They have postal abbreviations, but neither belongs in a table of the 50 states. USPS's appendix also includes territories and other postal destinations; use the full USPS reference if that's what you need.
Start with the codes you mix up
An alphabetical list is handy for finding an answer, but it also lets the surrounding rows act as clues. Start by comparing the names you confuse, then mix them with unrelated states to check whether you can recall each answer on its own.
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona
Keep these four together for an initial comparison:
- Alaska → AK: notice the K in Alaska.
- Alabama → AL: the first two letters work here.
- Arkansas → AR: again, the first two letters.
- Arizona → AZ: notice the Z in Arizona.
Use these observations as memory cues. Once you've looked at the group, cover it and answer “AK means which state?” Then try “What is Arkansas's code?” Check the reverse questions too: Alaska to AK, and AR to Arkansas. You may find one direction easier.
The eight M states
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Missouri all begin with “Mi.” Only Michigan uses MI. Learn their complete pairs rather than trying to shorten every name by the same rule.
| State | Code | Detail to notice |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan | MI | Uses the opening MI |
| Minnesota | MN | The second code letter is N |
| Mississippi | MS | The second code letter is S |
| Missouri | MO | The second code letter is O |
| Massachusetts | MA | Uses the opening MA |
| Maryland | MD | Begins with M and ends with D |
| Maine | ME | Begins with M and ends with E |
| Montana | MT | Includes the T in Montana |
If you answer “Missouri” when shown MS, write down that exact confusion: MS = Mississippi; MO = Missouri. Reviewing the pair gives you a specific distinction to work on. Rereading all eight names can hide which one caused the problem.
Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana
Idaho is ID, Illinois is IL, and Indiana is IN. Iowa is IA, using its first and last letters. Practice IA separately if you keep guessing IO, then mix it back into the group.
Washington state and Washington, DC
WA means Washington state. DC means the District of Columbia. Use “Washington state” on your own card fronts so the prompt is unambiguous. A card that says only “Washington abbreviation?” leaves unnecessary room for interpretation.
Decide what you need to recall
A geography assignment can ask for several different skills. Match your practice to the question you'll actually face.
| Task | Example prompt | Expected answer |
|---|---|---|
| State to code | What is Minnesota's USPS abbreviation? | MN |
| Code to state | Which state uses MN? | Minnesota |
| Map location | Identify a highlighted state on a blank map | The state's name |
The table supplies the answers for the first two tasks. For a map test, use a blank map with an answer key and practice identifying the states by location. State capitals need their own prompts too, such as “What is Minnesota's capital?” Keep those cards separate from abbreviation questions so each answer tells you which fact you remembered.
A short state abbreviation quiz
Move the reference table out of view. Write all 12 answers before scrolling to the answer key. There are no choices to narrow down: give the exact two-letter code or the full state name requested.
- What is Alaska's code?
- Which state uses MO?
- What is Iowa's code?
- Which state uses MD?
- What is Arkansas's code?
- Which state uses MN?
- What is Washington state's code?
- Which state uses ME?
- What is Mississippi's code?
- Which state uses AZ?
- What is Michigan's code?
- Which state uses AL?
Before checking, mark any answer you guessed or had to think through for a while. Keep those marks even if the answers turn out to be correct; they help you choose what to practice next.
Answers
| Question | Answer | Question | Answer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AK | 7 | WA |
| 2 | Missouri | 8 | Maine |
| 3 | IA | 9 | MS |
| 4 | Maryland | 10 | Arizona |
| 5 | AR | 11 | MI |
| 6 | Minnesota | 12 | Alabama |
Count one point per exact answer, for a score out of 12. Then look at the mistakes: did you mix up two states, invent a code such as IO, or know a pair only in one direction? That tells you what to practice. Even 12 out of 12 only checks this sample; a full check needs all 50 states, including both directions if both matter for your assignment.
Turn mistakes into two-way practice
For each missed or uncertain pair, make two small cards. For example:
| Front | Back |
|---|---|
| Missouri — USPS abbreviation? | MO |
| USPS abbreviation MO — which state? | Missouri |
If you confused MO with MS, add Mississippi's two cards too. Keep one answer per card, and separate the reverse cards with other questions so you aren't answering from the card you just saw. Our guide to writing better flashcards covers how to keep prompts specific.
On the next review, answer before revealing the back and record mistakes honestly. Return to those cards in a later session to check whether the answers still come to mind. Add more states as you have time to review them; you don't need to introduce every card in one sitting.
The free US state abbreviations deck has 100 English-language cards: one state-to-code card and one code-to-state card for each of the 50 states. It's an independent, unofficial study aid. It doesn't include maps, capitals, DC, territories, or ZIP Codes.
Open the deck page to inspect the cards and start studying. If you're new to the app, the getting-started guide explains setup. Begin with the pairs you missed above, then check the full list in a mixed order when you're ready.