Unlock hundreds more features
Save your Quiz to the Dashboard
View and Export Results
Use AI to Create Quizzes and Analyse Results

Sign inSign in with Facebook
Sign inSign in with Google

Master AP State Abbreviations with This Free Quiz!

Ready to tackle state abbreviations in AP style? Dive in!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art design with state shapes, AP style abbreviations on sky blue background signaling a quiz on state abbreviations

Use this quiz to practice AP state abbreviations and catch gaps fast, so you can file clean datelines and headlines. Expect tricky city-state pairs and common AP rules. Start with this quick practice , check your score, then try the full AP style quiz to keep sharp.

What is the AP style abbreviation for California?
Cal.
CA
Cali.
Calif.
AP style uses "Calif." with a period when the state accompanies a city name, unlike the postal code "CA" which is used in mailing addresses. State names are spelled out when they stand alone. Using "Calif." ensures consistency in news writing. More details are available at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Texas?
Tex.
Texas
TEX.
TX
AP style spells out Texas in all contexts because it is six letters long. Only certain states with shorter names are abbreviated. Postal abbreviations like "TX" are reserved for mailing addresses. See for the full list.
What is the AP style abbreviation for New York?
N.Y.
Nw Yk.
NY
New Y.
AP style requires a period after each letter in "N.Y." when used with a city name. Postal codes without periods are used only for mailing addresses. This distinguishes news writing style from postal conventions. Learn more at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Florida?
Fla.
FL
Flo.
Fl.
AP style uses "Fla." with a period for Florida when paired with a city name. Postal code "FL" is used for addresses, not in news copy. Other variations like "Flo." are incorrect. More on AP conventions at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Illinois?
Ill.
Illi.
Ils.
IL
In AP style, Illinois is abbreviated as "Ill." when used with a city name. The postal code "IL" is not used in copy. This follows the general AP rule for state abbreviations in datelines. Full guidance is at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Pennsylvania?
PENN
P.A.
Pa.
Penn.
AP style uses "Pa." with a period for Pennsylvania when paired with a city. The postal code "PA" is reserved for mailing. Abbreviations in AP style require a period and often differ from postal codes. See for more.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Ohio?
OH
Ohio
Oh.
O.H.
AP style spells out Ohio because it is four letters long and not on the list of states to abbreviate. Only certain states like "Ohio" are always spelled out. Postal abbreviations (OH) are for addresses. For details, visit .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Georgia?
Geo.
Ga.
GA
G.A.
AP style uses "Ga." with a period for Georgia when listed with a city. Postal code "GA" is for mailing only. Abbreviations differ from mailing conventions and require periods. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for North Carolina?
N.C.
NC
Nor. Car.
N.Car.
AP style requires "N.C." with periods for North Carolina when paired with a city. Postal codes without periods are only for addresses. This helps distinguish state names from other abbreviations. See for the full list.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Michigan?
MI
Michg.
Mch.
Mich.
AP style uses "Mich." with a period for Michigan when used with a city. Postal code "MI" is reserved for mailing. This abbreviation follows the standard AP stylebook guidelines. More information at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for New Jersey?
N.Jer.
New Jer.
NJ
N.J.
AP style uses "N.J." with periods for New Jersey when listed with a city. Postal abbreviations without periods are for mailing. Consistent use of periods differentiates news style from postal style. See .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Virginia?
VA
Virg.
V.A.
Va.
AP style uses "Va." with a period for Virginia when used with a city. The postal code "VA" is only for addressing. The AP stylebook outlines these abbreviations for consistent news writing. For more, visit .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Washington?
WA
Wash.
Wn.
Wsh.
In AP style, Washington is abbreviated "Wash." with a period when paired with a city name. Postal code "WA" is reserved for addresses. This prevents confusion with other uses of "Wash." as a verb. Full guidelines at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Arizona?
Ari.
AZ
Ar.
Ariz.
AP style abbreviates Arizona as "Ariz." with a period when used with a city. Postal code "AZ" is for mailing only. These conventions are outlined in the AP stylebook. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Colorado?
CO
Colo.
Col.
Colo
In AP style, Colorado is "Colo." with a period when paired with a city. Postal abbreviation "CO" is only for addresses. The period indicates a shortened form for news style. See for reference.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Indiana?
Indi.
IN
Id.
Ind.
AP style uses "Ind." with a period for Indiana in datelines. Postal code "IN" is reserved for mailing. Proper abbreviation avoids confusion with "Idaho," which is spelled out. More details at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Tennessee?
TN
Tenn.
Tennn.
Tn.
AP style uses "Tenn." with a period for Tennessee when used with a city. Postal code "TN" is only for mailing addresses. The four-letter state names have their own abbreviations in the AP stylebook. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Missouri?
M.o.
MO
Mssr.
Mo.
In AP style, Missouri is abbreviated "Mo." with a period when used with a city. Postal code "MO" is not used in copy. This abbreviation prevents confusion with other abbreviations. Full list at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Wisconsin?
Wis.
WI
Wisn.
Wisc.
AP style uses "Wis." with a period for Wisconsin when paired with a city. Postal code "WI" is only for mailing. The AP stylebook differentiates news writing style from postal conventions. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Minnesota?
Min.
Mnn.
MN
Minn.
In AP style, Minnesota is "Minn." with a period when used with a city. Postal code "MN" is reserved for addresses. Period usage standardizes abbreviations in news copy. See for the full list.
What is the AP style abbreviation for South Carolina?
So. Car.
S.Car.
SC
S.C.
AP style requires "S.C." with periods for South Carolina when paired with a city. Postal code "SC" is only for mailing. This distinguishes news style from postal style. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Alabama?
AL
A.la.
Alab.
Ala.
AP style uses "Ala." with a period for Alabama when used with a city. Postal code "AL" is for addressing only. Abbreviations must include periods to follow AP conventions. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Kentucky?
KY
Kyt.
Ky.
Kyty.
In AP style, Kentucky is abbreviated "Ky." with a period when listed with a city. Postal code "KY" is reserved for mail. This follows the AP stylebook rules for state abbreviations. See for details.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Oregon?
Ore.
OR
Oreg.
Org.
AP style uses "Ore." with a period for Oregon when used with a city. Postal abbreviation "OR" is only for mailing. This ensures consistency in news writing. For the full list, see .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Oklahoma?
Okla.
Okla
OK
Okl.
In AP style, Oklahoma is abbreviated "Okla." with a period when used with a city. Postal code "OK" is reserved for addresses. The period indicates the abbreviation in news copy. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Connecticut?
Conn.
CT
Con.
Ctt.
AP style uses "Conn." with a period for Connecticut when paired with a city. Postal code "CT" is only for mailing. These abbreviations are listed in the AP stylebook for consistency. More information at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Arkansas?
AR
Arkns.
Arks.
Ark.
AP style abbreviates Arkansas as "Ark." with a period in datelines. Postal code "AR" is for mailing. The abbreviation differentiates news style from postal conventions. See for more.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Louisiana?
Ls.
La.
LA
Lou.
In AP style, Louisiana is abbreviated "La." with a period when used with a city. Postal code "LA" is for mailing addresses. This rule is part of AP's consistent abbreviation guidelines. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Mississippi?
MS
Miss.
Missi.
Mssip.
AP style uses "Miss." with a period for Mississippi when paired with a city. Postal code "MS" is only for addresses. The period denotes a newsroom abbreviation. More details at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Maryland?
M.d.
Mary.
MD
Md.
AP style abbreviates Maryland as "Md." with a period in datelines. Postal abbreviation "MD" is used for mailing only. Abbreviations follow AP's punctuation rules. See for reference.
What is the AP style abbreviation for Massachusetts?
Massch.
Mass.
MA
Mass.
AP style uses "Mass." with a period for Massachusetts when paired with a city. Postal code "MA" is for mailing. This abbreviation follows AP's standard period usage. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for New Mexico?
NM
New Mex.
N Mex.
N.M.
AP style requires "N.M." with periods for New Mexico when listed with a city. Postal code "NM" is only for addresses. The periods mark the abbreviation in news copy. See .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Nevada?
Nevd.
NV
Nve.
Nev.
AP style uses "Nev." with a period for Nevada when paired with a city. Postal abbreviation "NV" is for mailing only. This fits AP's period requirement for abbreviations. More details at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for West Virginia?
WV.
W. Va.
W.Va.
WV
In AP style, West Virginia is "W.Va." with periods between initials when used with a city. Postal code "WV" is for addresses. The periods clarify it's an abbreviation in copy. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Nebraska?
NE
Nebr.
Neb.
Nebs.
AP style uses "Neb." with a period for Nebraska when paired with a city. Postal code "NE" is reserved for mailing. This matches AP's stylebook rules for state abbreviations. See .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Utah?
Uta.
Utah
Uth.
Ut.
AP style spells out Utah because it is four letters long and not on the list to abbreviate. Postal code "UT" is for mailing only. Abbreviations are reserved for certain states only. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for New Hampshire?
N.H.
NH
N Hamp.
N.Ham.
AP style requires "N.H." with periods for New Hampshire when paired with a city. Postal code "NH" is only for mailing. The periods denote the abbreviation in news writing. For full guidance, see .
What is the AP style abbreviation for Vermont?
VT
Vt..
Vt
Vt.
AP style uses "Vt." with a period for Vermont when used with a city. Postal abbreviation "VT" is for addresses. Following AP stylebook rules ensures consistency in news writing. More at .
What is the AP style abbreviation for South Dakota?
S.D.
S.Dak.
SD
So. Dak.
AP style requires "S.D." with periods for South Dakota when used with a city. Postal code "SD" is for mailing. The punctuation marks it as a news style abbreviation. For the complete list, see .
What is the AP style abbreviation for District of Columbia?
D.C.
D C
Dist. Col.
DC
AP style uses "D.C." with periods for the District of Columbia. Postal abbreviation "DC" is used for mailing only. Periods make clear it's an official AP abbreviation. More details at .
Which state is never abbreviated in AP style?
Alabama
Iowa
Hawaii
Maine
AP style spells out Hawaii in all contexts because it has five letters and is not on the list of states to abbreviate. Other short states like Iowa and Utah also remain spelled out. Abbreviation rules apply only when the stylebook specifies. For more, see .
When listing a city without a state, what is the correct AP style practice?
Always spell out the state if needed later
Use the AP abbreviation with periods
Use the postal code without periods
Never mention the state
AP style dictates that if a state is not needed (for well-known cities), you omit it entirely. If you do need a state later in copy, you then spell it out rather than abbreviate. Postal codes and AP abbreviations are only for city - state datelines. See for more guidance.
In AP style, which of the following city - state pairings is correct?
Darien, Con.
Darien, CT
Darien, Conn.
Darien Conn.
AP style requires the abbreviation "Conn." with a period for Connecticut when used in a dateline. Postal codes without periods are not used. A comma separates city and state. See for details.
Which AP style rule applies when a state name stands alone without a city?
Always spell out the state name
Abbreviate if longer than five letters
Use postal code
Use AP abbreviation
AP style spells out all state names when they stand alone. Abbreviations are reserved for city - state datelines. Postal codes are never used in news copy. For full rules, consult the .
Which of these is the correct AP style dateline?
SEATTLE, Wash
SEATTLE, Wash.
SEATTLE, WA
Seattle, Wash
AP style datelines are in all caps for the city, followed by the AP abbreviation with periods. Postal codes are not used. The abbreviation must include the final period. See for examples.
0
{"name":"What is the AP style abbreviation for California?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"What is the AP style abbreviation for California?, What is the AP style abbreviation for Texas?, What is the AP style abbreviation for New York?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}

Study Outcomes

  1. Identify AP State Abbreviations -

    Recall the official AP state abbreviations for all 50 states, mastering the two-letter forms required in news writing.

  2. Apply State Abbreviations in AP Style -

    Integrate state abbreviations in AP style seamlessly into your writing to ensure consistency and professionalism in editorial copy.

  3. Differentiate Similar Abbreviations -

    Distinguish between commonly confused AP abbreviations for states, reducing the risk of errors in headlines and articles.

  4. Boost Abbreviation Recall Speed -

    Enhance your ability to quickly retrieve AP abbreviations for states during fast-paced reporting and editing tasks.

  5. Self-Assess Abbreviation Proficiency -

    Use the free quiz to evaluate your knowledge of ap state abbreviations and identify areas for further practice.

Cheat Sheet

  1. AP vs. USPS Abbreviations -

    AP style uses specific, often punctuated abbreviations (e.g., "Calif.," "Mass.") in text, while USPS two-letter codes (e.g., "CA," "MA") are reserved for mailing addresses and data tables. Remember: AP abbreviations carry periods and capitalize each word's first letter, whereas postal codes are uppercase with no periods or spaces. This distinction keeps your writing both precise and professional.

  2. Dateline and City Pairing -

    In AP style, you only abbreviate a state when it follows a city name in a dateline or story text (e.g., "Seattle, Wash."), and you spell out the state when it stands alone in prose ("She moved to Washington last year."). This rule comes straight from the AP Stylebook and ensures clarity in location reporting. When in doubt, pair the city and state to decide if an abbreviation is appropriate.

  3. Memorize the Nine Unabbreviated States -

    AP style never abbreviates Maine, Ohio, Texas, Utah, Idaho, Iowa, Hawaii, Alaska or (surprisingly) Michigan. A handy mnemonic - "MIAMI HIT" (Michigan, Iowa, Alaska, Maine, Idaho, Hawaii, Texas, Ohio, Utah) - can help you recall these nine quickly. Knowing which states always stay spelled out boosts both speed and accuracy in editing.

  4. Use Periods Wisely -

    AP state abbreviations include periods after most letters (e.g., "N.D.," "S.C.", "Fla."), but the two-letter USPS codes never use them. Treat AP's version like U.S. abbreviations: "U.S." has periods, while "USPS" does not. Mastering this punctuation nuance shows attention to editorial detail.

  5. Address Formatting Tips -

    When you're crafting a mailing address or listing states in a table, switch to USPS codes (e.g., "123 Main St., Dallas, TX 75201") and leave out periods entirely. Keep the code uppercase, with no spaces ("TX," not "T X"), to meet postal standards and avoid delivery hiccups. This consistency ensures both editorial correctness and practical precision.

Powered by: Quiz Maker