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AP Style State Abbreviations List (Updated for 2025)
Whether you’re a journalist, content writer, or student working on a formal piece, using the correct AP style state abbreviations is a small but essential detail that sets your writing apart. AP (Associated Press) style is the gold standard for news writing and professional publications, and it comes with its own specific rules—especially when it comes to state names.
Unlike the familiar two-letter postal codes used for mailing (like CA for California or TX for Texas), AP style employs its own set of abbreviations such as Calif. and Tex. These are used in stories to ensure consistency, clarity, and a polished editorial tone.
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to confidently use AP style abbreviations for all 50 U.S. states. We’ll break down the differences from postal codes, when to abbreviate or spell out state names, and include a handy table for quick reference. Whether you’re writing a news article, blog post, or press release, this resource will help you stay aligned with AP guidelines.
AP Style State Abbreviations List
| State | AP Style Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Alabama | Ala. |
| Alaska | Alaska |
| Arizona | Ariz. |
| Arkansas | Ark. |
| California | Calif. |
| Colorado | Colo. |
| Connecticut | Conn. |
| Delaware | Del. |
| Florida | Fla. |
| Georgia | Ga. |
| Hawaii | Hawaii |
| Idaho | Idaho |
| Illinois | Ill. |
| Indiana | Ind. |
| Iowa | Iowa |
| Kansas | Kansas |
| Kentucky | Ky. |
| Louisiana | La. |
| Maine | Maine |
| Maryland | Md. |
| Massachusetts | Mass. |
| Michigan | Mich. |
| Minnesota | Minn. |
| Mississippi | Miss. |
| Missouri | Mo. |
| Montana | Mont. |
| Nebraska | Neb. |
| Nevada | Nev. |
| New Hampshire | N.H. |
| New Jersey | N.J. |
| New Mexico | N.M. |
| New York | N.Y. |
| North Carolina | N.C. |
| North Dakota | N.D. |
| Ohio | Ohio |
| Oklahoma | Okla. |
| Oregon | Ore. |
| Pennsylvania | Pa. |
| Rhode Island | R.I. |
| South Carolina | S.C. |
| South Dakota | S.D. |
| Tennessee | Tenn. |
| Texas | Texas |
| Utah | Utah |
| Vermont | Vt. |
| Virginia | Va. |
| Washington | Wash. |
| West Virginia | W.Va. |
| Wisconsin | Wis. |
| Wyoming | Wyo. |
What Is AP Style?
AP Style, short for Associated Press Style, is a standardized set of writing guidelines developed by the Associated Press to promote clarity, consistency, and professionalism in journalism and media writing. It’s the default style guide for most U.S. news organizations, as well as many magazines, blogs, press releases, and corporate communications.
At its core, AP Style aims to make writing easier to read and understand. It sets the rules for everything from punctuation and capitalization to the use of numbers, dates, and geographic names—including state abbreviations.
Why It Matters
Using AP Style isn’t just about following rules—it’s about building credibility. Editors, readers, and publishers expect a level of professionalism in written communication, and proper AP formatting helps ensure that your work meets industry standards.
Whether you’re submitting a guest post, writing for a publication, or maintaining a professional blog, adhering to AP Style signals attention to detail and an understanding of editorial best practices.
State Names in AP Style
When it comes to U.S. state names, AP Style has its own approach:
- Most state names are abbreviated, but not in the same way as postal codes.
- Some states are never abbreviated, such as Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas, and Utah.
- AP Style uses abbreviations only in specific contexts—mainly datelines and lists—not in the body of a story unless space is tight.
Understanding these nuances is essential for anyone writing in a professional or editorial context. That’s why this guide includes not only the full list of AP Style state abbreviations, but also tips on how and when to use them correctly.
| Related: The Complete Guide to AP Style Dates and Numbers
AP Style vs. Postal Abbreviations
One of the most common mistakes writers make is assuming that U.S. state abbreviations follow a single format—usually the two-letter codes used by the postal service (like CA for California or NY for New York). However, AP Style and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) abbreviations are not the same and are used in very different contexts.
Understanding the distinction between these two systems is key to writing professionally and avoiding confusion.
Key Differences
| State | AP Style | Postal Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| California | Calif. | CA |
| Georgia | Ga. | GA |
| Illinois | Ill. | IL |
| North Carolina | N.C. | NC |
| New York | N.Y. | NY |
| Texas | Texas | TX |
| Related: 125 Management Abbreviations: Complete Business Guide
When to Use Associated Press Style Abbreviations
AP Style state abbreviations are used in:
- Datelines (e.g., “CHICAGO, Ill.”)
- Lists, charts, and infoboxes where space is limited
- Short-form writing that still follows editorial standards
Example: The event took place in Reno, Nev., on Saturday.
AP abbreviations always include periods (except for states not abbreviated) and capitalize each letter of multi-part abbreviations (e.g., N.J., N.M.).
When to Use Postal Abbreviations
Postal codes are used strictly for addresses and mailing purposes:
- Street addresses, envelopes, shipping labels
- Online forms requiring state selection
- Government databases and official documentation
Example:
John Doe
123 Main St
Atlanta, GA 30303
The Postal codes are always two uppercase letters with no periods, standardized by the U.S. Postal Service for sorting and automation.
Why It Matters
Using postal codes in an editorial setting may make your writing look informal or uninformed. Conversely, using AP style in mailing addresses can cause confusion or delivery issues.
To maintain professionalism and clarity:
- Use AP Style in articles, blog posts, and media content.
- Use Postal Abbreviations for anything involving addresses or forms.
By learning when and where to use each type, you ensure that your writing meets both industry standards and reader expectations.
Absolutely! Here’s a detailed and helpful expansion for the section “AP Style Guidelines for Cities and States”:
AP Style Guidelines for Cities and States
When writing about locations in AP Style, correctly formatting cities and states together is essential for maintaining journalistic consistency and professionalism. The Associated Press has specific rules not only for state abbreviations, but also for how cities and states should appear together in datelines and body text.
1. General Format
In AP Style, when a city is followed by a state name, the state is abbreviated using the AP Style abbreviation (not the postal code), and a comma is placed after the state name as well.
Correct: She moved to Phoenix, Ariz., in 2022.
Incorrect: She moved to Phoenix, AZ in 2022.
2. States Not Abbreviated
Eight states are never abbreviated in AP Style, even when paired with a city. These are:
- Alaska
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Iowa
- Maine
- Ohio
- Texas
- Utah
Example: They flew to Austin, Texas, for the conference.
3. City-Only References
Some major U.S. cities stand alone without a state name in datelines or body text because they are well-known and unambiguous. According to AP Style, these include cities like:
- New York
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- Boston
- San Francisco
- Dallas
- Atlanta
- Washington (the capital; “Washington” alone implies D.C., not the state)
Example: The president spoke in Chicago on Monday.
If a lesser-known city is mentioned, or if there’s potential for confusion (like Portland, which exists in both Oregon and Maine), always include the state abbreviation.
4. Dateline Usage
In AP news articles, datelines use city names followed by the AP-style abbreviated state (if applicable), in all caps:
Example:
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The tornado left a trail of destruction…
Note:
- Datelines typically include only the city and state, not the full address.
- Use AP abbreviations in datelines, even for U.S. territories.
5. International Cities
AP Style generally does not include country names for major world cities that are widely recognized (e.g., London, Paris, Tokyo). For lesser-known cities, the country is spelled out in full.
Example: She traveled from Zurich, Switzerland, to attend the seminar.
Quick Tips
- Use AP abbreviations only when paired with a city.
- Always include a comma after the state name.
- Avoid using postal abbreviations in editorial writing.
- Do not abbreviate the eight exception states.
- Refer to the official AP Stylebook if in doubt.
By mastering these city and state formatting rules, your writing will look more polished, professional, and consistent with respected media standards.
Conclusion
Mastering AP style state abbreviations might seem like a small detail, but it plays a big role in presenting polished, professional, and credible writing—especially in journalism, blogging, press releases, and editorial content. By following the Associated Press guidelines, you ensure your writing aligns with widely accepted industry standards.
Understanding when to abbreviate, which states should never be shortened, and how to format city–state combinations will help you avoid common mistakes and improve the clarity of your work. Whether you’re drafting a news article or simply want to elevate the quality of your content, using the correct AP Style abbreviations shows attention to detail and a commitment to quality writing.
Bookmark this guide or save the abbreviation table as a quick reference. And remember—great writing isn’t just about what you say, but how precisely and professionally you say it.
