Search results
The first rule is no two abbreviations can be the same. That's simple enough. The second, if there are two words, take the first letter of each word to make the abbreviation. (NY, SD, WV) Third, take the first two letters of the state to make the abbreviation. Finally, if you have two states that would still end up with the same abbreviation ...
Why? Because ZIP codes were adopted that year, and, owing to the limitations of addressing equipment, abbreviations had to be shortened to make room for the numbers. While the two-letter abbreviations are now preferred, the earlier versions continue to be widely used. In the table below, we provide abbreviations for each U.S. state and territory.
May 7, 2021 · However, since most mail addressing equipment allowed only 23 characters, the state names needed to be shortened to make room for the ZIP Code. Although an initial list of abbreviations for the state names was provided in June 1963, some abbreviations had more than two letters which were still long. USA states with abbreviations. Current Postal ...
- John Misachi
ANSI. 2-letter and 2-digit codes from the ANSI standard INCITS 38:2009 (supersedes FIPS 5-2) USPS. 2-letter codes used by the United States Postal Service. USCG. 2-letter codes used by the United States Coast Guard (bold red text shows differences between ANSI and USCG) Abbreviations: GPO. Older variable-length official US Government Printing ...
Each state has its own unique shortened name codes called state abbreviations used in written documents and mailing addresses. The state abbreviations are always in the same format: two letter abbreviations where both letters are uppercase and no periods or spaces between each letter.
In October 1963, the Department settled on the current two-letter abbreviations. Since that time, only one change has been made: in 1969, at the request of the Canadian postal administration, the abbreviation for Nebraska, originally NB, was changed to NE, to avoid confusion with New Brunswick in Canada. A list of state abbreviations since 1831 ...
People also ask
Why are state names shortened?
When did state names become abbreviations?
What state abbreviations have been changed since 1831?
How do you abbreviate a state?
Which states have similar letters at the beginning of their names?
Should state names be abbreviated?
Aug 1, 2023 · Why does Massachusetts have so many S's? Why are there four states whose names begin "New"? From sea to shining sea, here's our guide to state names.
