Although the rules seem to change as often as I eat a shameful amount of candy (read: every day), I appreciate the AP editors’ understanding that language is constantly evolving. The same is true when it comes to AP state abbreviations.

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What’s New With AP Style State Abbreviations?

Some writers may be unaware that the Associated Press changed the rule regarding how state names should be written. In the past, states were generally abbreviated in domestic articles and news stories, but they were always spelled out in international content.

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In an attempt to be more consistent across the board, AP has changed the ruling so that both domestic and international articles now contain spelled-out versions of state names.

State Abbreviations Are Not Extinct

Because nothing can ever truly be simple, abbreviated state names are still used in the following:

• Lists
• Tables
• Datelines
• Photo captions
• Nonpublishable editor’s notes
• Short-form identification
• Political party affiliation
• Agate editions
• Credit lines

What About Headlines?

AP style isn’t keen on using state abbreviations in titles, so spell them out.

Exceptions to the Rules

It wouldn’t be AP style without an exception or two! There are eight states that should never be abbreviated in text or datelines. Those are Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Ohio, Texas and Utah.

A great way to remember this exception is to realize that Alaska and Hawaii are not in the contiguous United States, and the other exempted states contain five letters or fewer in their names. To be very, very clear, here are the AP state abbreviations (or lack thereof) for the states listed above:

• Alaska Abbreviation: Alaska
• Hawaii Abbreviation: Hawaii
• Idaho Abbreviation: Idaho
• Iowa Abbreviation: Iowa
• Maine Abbreviation: Maine
• Ohio Abbreviation: Ohio
• Texas Abbreviation: Texas
• Utah Abbreviation: Utah

How To Abbreviate Each State Name

When abbreviating state names, don’t make the mistake of using the postal code abbreviations (think OK for Oklahoma). AP Stylebook has provided a list indicating exactly how the states should be shortened.

Alabama (Ala.)	Maryland (Md.)	North Dakota (N.D.)
Arizona (Ariz.)	Massachusetts (Mass.)	Oklahoma (Okla.)
Arkansas (Ark.)	Michigan (Mich.)	Oregon (Ore.)
California (Calif.)	Minnesota (Minn.)	Pennsylvania (Pa.)
Colorado (Colo.)	Mississippi (Miss.)	Rhode Island (R.I.)
Connecticut (Conn.)	Missouri (Mo.)	South Carolina (S.C.)
Delaware (Del.)	Montana (Mont.)	South Dakota  (S.D.)
Florida (Fla.)	Nebraska (Neb.)	Tennessee (Tenn.)
Georgia (Ga.)	Nevada (Nev.)	Vermont (Vt.)
Illinois (Ill.)	New Hampshire (N.H.)	Virginia (Va.)
Indiana (Ind.)	New Jersey (N.J.)	Washington (Wash.)
Kansas (Kan.)	New Mexico (N.M.)	West Virginia (W.Va.)
Kentucky (Ky.)	New York (N.Y.)	Wisconsin (Wis.)
Louisiana (La.)	North Carolina (N.C.)	Wyoming (Wyo.)

I suggest you print this table out and keep it close to your computer until you learn all the state abbreviations in AP Style. Why New Mexico is N.M. and West Virginia is W.Va. is unclear, but if you’re keen on following AP rules, then this is need-to-know information.

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If you’d like a more visually appealing way to reference AP style state name abbreviations, save this map we’ve created with all the names you need.

The Good News

The positive here is that the Grammar Gods don’t care if you abbreviate state names, so if these rules aren’t in line with your house style or your clients’ way of writing, then scrap the guidelines, by all means! If in your mind the Arkansas abbreviation will always be AR and the Missouri abbreviation MO, then so be it! This is a judgment-free zone.

Sound Off on State Name Abbreviations

What do you think about these AP style state abbreviation rules? Do they make sense to you, or do they make your head spin? Do you still prefer the Massachusetts abbreviation of MA over Mass.? Or the Virginia abbreviation of capitalized VA over Va.? Comment below!

And don’t forget to check out our guide for general abbreviation rules so you can take your writing to the next level.