US Postal State Abbreviations and Military Codes List
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 2010/05/08 - Updated: 2026/01/17
Publication Type: Informative
Category Topic: Calculators - Charts - Related Publications
Contents: Synopsis - Introduction - Main - Insights, Updates
Synopsis: This reference tool provides the official United States Postal Service two-letter abbreviations for all states, territories, possessions, and military addresses currently in use. The information is authoritative because it directly references USPS-established codes used for optical character recognition and automated mail processing equipment. These standardized abbreviations prove particularly useful for people with disabilities who rely on accurate address formatting for accessible document preparation, form completion, and correspondence. The resource includes often-overlooked military state codes (AA, AE, AP) and U.S. territories like American Samoa, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands, making it a practical reference for anyone needing precise postal formatting, including seniors who may remember older state abbreviation formats - Disabled World (DW).
Introduction
These postal abbreviations are distinguished from traditional abbreviations such as Calif., Fla., or Tex. The United States Postal Service has established a set of abbreviations to help process mail with optical character recognition and other automated equipment. There are also official USPS abbreviations for other parts of the address, such as street designators (street, avenue, road, etc.).
The traditional abbreviations for U.S. states and territories, widely used in mailing addresses prior to the introduction of two-letter U.S. postal abbreviations, are still used for other purposes, and are still recognized by the U.S. Postal Service.
Main Content
The table below shows the US Postal Service (USPS) abbreviation for each of the United States, districts, territories, and possessions.
| American State | U.S. State Abbreviations |
|---|---|
| ALABAMA | AL |
| ALASKA | AK |
| AMERICAN SAMOA | AS |
| ARIZONA | AZ |
| ARKANSAS | AR |
| CALIFORNIA | CA |
| COLORADO | CO |
| CONNECTICUT | CT |
| DELAWARE | DE |
| DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA | DC |
| FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA | FM |
| FLORIDA | FL |
| GEORGIA | GA |
| GUAM | GU |
| HAWAII | HI |
| IDAHO | ID |
| ILLINOIS | IL |
| INDIANA | IN |
| IOWA | IA |
| KANSAS | KS |
| KENTUCKY | KY |
| LOUISIANA | LA |
| MAINE | ME |
| MARSHALL ISLANDS | MH |
| 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 |
| NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS | MP |
| OHIO | OH |
| OKLAHOMA | OK |
| OREGON | OR |
| PALAU | PW |
| PENNSYLVANIA | PA |
| PUERTO RICO | PR |
| RHODE ISLAND | RI |
| SOUTH CAROLINA | SC |
| SOUTH DAKOTA | SD |
| TENNESSEE | TN |
| TEXAS | TX |
| UTAH | UT |
| VERMONT | VT |
| VIRGIN ISLANDS | VI |
| VIRGINIA | VA |
| WASHINGTON | WA |
| WEST VIRGINIA | WV |
| WISCONSIN | WI |
| WYOMING | WY |
| Military States | Abbreviation |
| Armed Forces Africa | AE |
| Armed Forces Americas | AA |
| Armed Forces Canada | AE |
| Armed Forces Europe | AE |
| Armed Forces Middle East | AE |
| Armed Forces Pacific | AP |
Insights, Analysis, and Developments
Editorial Note: While digital communication has transformed how we connect, postal abbreviations remain surprisingly relevant in daily life - from filling out medical forms to shipping assistive devices across state lines. The USPS system's shift from traditional abbreviations like "Calif." to the current two-letter format reflects how technology has reshaped even the most mundane aspects of communication. For those managing healthcare documentation, Social Security paperwork, or disability benefit applications, knowing these codes can prevent processing delays that matter deeply when timely delivery affects quality of life. The inclusion of military postal codes serves as a quiet reminder that standardized systems exist not just for efficiency, but to ensure mail reaches every American, regardless of where duty or circumstance takes them - Disabled World (DW).
Author Credentials: Ian is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of Disabled World, a leading resource for news and information on disability issues. With a global perspective shaped by years of travel and lived experience, Ian is a committed proponent of the Social Model of Disability-a transformative framework developed by disabled activists in the 1970s that emphasizes dismantling societal barriers rather than focusing solely on individual impairments. His work reflects a deep commitment to disability rights, accessibility, and social inclusion. To learn more about Ian's background, expertise, and accomplishments, visit his full biography.