USPS State Abbreviations and Military Postal Codes List
Author: Ian C. Langtree - Writer/Editor for Disabled World (DW)
Published: 8 May 2010 - Updated: 30 Aug 2026
Publication Type: Informative
Table of Contents:
Synopsis - Definition - Overview - FAQs - Insights, Updates - Related Content
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.
At a Glance
- 1 - Military codes AA, AE, and AP cover Armed Forces addresses worldwide. A single code such as AE serves Africa, Canada, Europe, and the Middle East.
- 2 - The two-letter format exists to support optical character recognition on automated mail sorting equipment. This system replaced longer traditional forms like Calif., Fla., and Tex.
- 3 - Traditional pre-1963 abbreviations are still recognized by the Postal Service for non-mailing purposes. They remain valid even though the two-letter codes are now standard for addresses.
- 4 - The list includes Pacific territories and freely associated states such as Palau, the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. These carry the codes PW, MH, and FM respectively, which are often overlooked.
Topic Definition
- USPS State Abbreviations
USPS state abbreviations are the standardized two-letter codes assigned by the United States Postal Service to identify each state, district, territory, possession, and military mailing zone within a delivery address. Introduced to work alongside automated sorting technology and optical character recognition, each code uses two capital letters with no periods, such as CA for California or NY for New York. The system also extends beyond the fifty states to cover the District of Columbia, U.S. territories like Guam and Puerto Rico, Pacific associated states, and military designations including AA, AE, and AP for Armed Forces addresses. These codes are the accepted standard for mail processing today, and using them correctly helps ensure that letters and packages are routed accurately and delivered without avoidable processing delays.
Overview
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.
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are USPS state abbreviations always written in capital letters
Yes, the Postal Service standard is two capital letters with no periods, such as TX or OH. Writing them in uppercase helps automated sorting equipment read the address accurately.
What is the difference between AA, AE, and AP military codes
AA is used for Armed Forces Americas, AP is used for Armed Forces Pacific, and AE is used for Armed Forces Europe along with Africa, Canada, and the Middle East. Each code directs mail to a specific military delivery region.
Do USPS abbreviations use periods like the older forms did
No, the two-letter postal codes never use periods, unlike older forms such as Calif. or Fla. Removing periods keeps the format clean for machine reading.
When did the two-letter state abbreviation system begin
The United States Postal Service introduced the two-letter codes in 1963 to work with new automated sorting systems. They were designed to fit alongside the ZIP code that launched in the same year.
Is the District of Columbia included in the postal abbreviation list
Yes, the District of Columbia has its own code, which is DC. It is treated like a state entry for mailing and formatting purposes.
What abbreviation is used for the Northern Mariana Islands
The Northern Mariana Islands use the code MP for postal addressing. This places it among the U.S. territory codes recognized by the Postal Service.
Can I still use traditional abbreviations on envelopes
The Postal Service still recognizes traditional abbreviations for some purposes, but the two-letter codes are preferred for mailing addresses. Using the two-letter format reduces the chance of sorting errors and delays.
Why do accurate abbreviations matter for forms and documents
Correct codes help medical forms, benefit applications, and shipping labels process without confusion or rejection. Consistent formatting supports faster and more reliable delivery of important paperwork.
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.
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.