What Are the Two Digit State Codes in the United States?

The United States is made up of 50 states, each with its own unique two digit state code.

These codes play a critical role in identifying states quickly and accurately for various purposes such as mailing, administrative tasks, and data organization.

If you’ve ever filled out a form, shipped a package, or entered an address online, you’ve used two-letter state codes whether you noticed or not. These short abbreviations are part of a standardized system that keeps mail moving efficiently across the country.

If you’ve ever wondered, What are the two digit state codes in the United States? or need a quick reference, this guide will provide everything you need to know.

What is a 2 digit state code?

A 2 digit state code refers to a standardized, two-character abbreviation used to represent U.S. states and territories. These codes are widely used in postal addresses, forms, and databases to streamline state identification. They are defined by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Examples of 2-Digit State Codes:

• AL: Alabama
• CA: California
• NY: New York
• TX: Texas
• FL: Florida

For territories and other regions:

• PR: Puerto Rico
• GU: Guam
• VI: U.S. Virgin Islands

These codes are a quick and consistent way to refer to states and territories without spelling out their full names.

What Are Two Digit State Codes?

Two digit state codes are official postal abbreviations assigned to every U.S. state and territory by the United States Postal Service (USPS). Each code uses two capital letters to represent a state name.

For example:

• California becomes CA
• Texas becomes TX
• New York becomes NY

These codes are designed to save space, reduce errors, and standardize addresses across the country.

Why Are Two Digit State Codes Important?

Two-digit state codes, also known as postal abbreviations, were introduced by the United States Postal Service (USPS) to streamline mail delivery and ensure consistency in addressing. These codes are universally recognized and used in government forms, business addresses, and official documents.

For example:

• Hawaii’s two-digit state code is HI.
• California’s two-digit state code is CA.

These codes are essential for efficient mail sorting and play a vital role in digital databases for categorizing data by state.

Why These Codes Matter

You’ll see these abbreviations used in everyday situations, including:

• Mailing letters and packages
• Filling out online forms
• Processing payments and billing addresses
• Government and tax documents
• E-commerce shipping systems

Using the correct code helps ensure accuracy and faster processing. Even a small mistake can delay delivery or cause form errors.

The Complete List of Two Digit State Codes in the United States

Below is a comprehensive table listing the two-digit codes for all 50 states and the District of Columbia:

State (Territory)	Two-Digit Code
Alabama	AL
Alaska	AK
Arizona	AZ
Arkansas	AR
California	CA
Colorado	CO
Connecticut	CT
Delaware	DE
Florida	FL
Georgia	GA
Hawaii	HI
Idaho	ID
Illinois	IL
Indiana	IN
Iowa	IA
Kansas	KS
Kentucky	KY
Louisiana	LA
Maine	ME
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
Ohio	OH
Oklahoma	OK
Oregon	OR
Pennsylvania	PA
Rhode Island	RI
South Carolina	SC
South Dakota	SD
Tennessee	TN
Texas	TX
Utah	UT
Vermont	VT
Virginia	VA
Washington	WA
West Virginia	WV
Wisconsin	WI
Wyoming	WY
District of Columbia	DC

U.S. Territories and Their Codes

In addition to the 50 states, USPS also assigns codes to U.S. territories:

Territory	Code
Puerto Rico	PR
Guam	GU
U.S. Virgin Islands	VI
American Samoa	AS
Northern Mariana Islands	MP

These follow the same format and are used in shipping and official documentation.

How These Codes Were Created

Before the 1960s, states were often written out in full or abbreviated inconsistently. To streamline mail sorting, the USPS introduced the modern two-letter system in 1963 alongside ZIP codes.

This system replaced older, longer abbreviations like:

• Calif. → CA
• Tex. → TX
• Fla. → FL

The goal was simple: reduce confusion and improve efficiency in automated mail processing.

How Are State Codes Assigned?

State codes in America are abbreviations derived from the state’s name, usually taking the first one or two letters. Here are some guidelines:

• If the state name is one word, the abbreviation typically includes the first two letters (e.g., Alaska – AK).
• If the state name is two words, the abbreviation usually combines the first letter of each word (e.g., North Carolina – NC).
• In cases where states have similar names, distinctions are made (e.g., Mississippi – MS vs. Missouri – MO).

Common Uses of Two Digit State Codes

1. Mailing Addresses: State codes ensure accurate and quick delivery of mail within the United States. For example, a letter addressed to Hawaii will include “HI” in the address line.

2. Government Documents: Two-digit state codes are widely used in federal and state forms, including tax filings and identification cards.

3. Data Analysis and Sorting: In databases and spreadsheets, state codes simplify sorting and categorizing information by region.

4. Online Transactions: Many e-commerce websites require users to select their state using its two-digit code during checkout.

Fun Facts About State Codes

1. Historical Evolution: Initially, state abbreviations were longer (e.g., California was “Calif.”), but the USPS standardized two-digit codes in 1963 to improve mail efficiency.
2. Unique Letters: Certain letters, like “Q,” are not used in any state code.
3. State Nicknames: Some state codes align closely with state nicknames, making them easy to remember (e.g., “HI” for Hawaii, “CA” for California).

Conclusion

Two digit state codes may look simple, but they play a critical role in how information and mail move across the United States. From shipping packages to filling out forms, using the correct abbreviation ensures accuracy and efficiency.

Keeping a quick reference list handy can save time and prevent costly mistakes, especially if you regularly deal with addresses, logistics, or online transactions.

Understanding the two digit state codes USA is essential for efficient communication, data organization, and everyday transactions. From mailing letters to filling out forms, these codes simplify processes and ensure accuracy.

Whether you’re learning about the state of America code system or searching for the Hawaii two-digit state code, this guide has you covered.

Explore these codes and their uses to make your personal or professional tasks more efficient today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Two Digit State Codes

State-specific two letter codes

Florida state code

The two letter state code for Florida is FL.

Delaware state code

The two letter state code for Delaware is DE.

Missouri state code

The two letter state code for Missouri is MO.

Hawaii state code

The two letter state code for Hawaii is HI.

Oklahoma state code

The two letter state code for Oklahoma is OK.

Virginia state code

The two letter state code for Virginia is VA.

Mississippi state code

The two letter state code for Mississippi is MS.

Indiana state code

The two letter state code for Indiana is IN.

Maryland state code

The two letter state code for Maryland is MD.

Illinois state code

The two letter state code for Illinois is IL.

Arkansas state code

The two letter state code for Arkansas is AR.

North Carolina state code

The two letter state code for North Carolina is NC.

Michigan state code

The two letter state code for Michigan is MI.

Idaho state code

The two letter state code for Idaho is ID.

Texas state code

The two letter state code for Texas is TX.

Nevada state code

The two letter state code for Nevada is NV.

Alaska state code

The two letter state code for Alaska is AK.

Minnesota state code

The two letter state code for Minnesota is MN.

Wisconsin state code

The two letter state code for Wisconsin is WI.

Louisiana state code

The two letter state code for Louisiana is LA.

California state code

The two letter state code for California is CA.

Georgia state code

The two letter state code for Georgia is GA.

Ohio state code

The two letter state code for Ohio is OH.

Kentucky state code

The two letter state code for Kentucky is KY.

Pennsylvania state code

The two letter state code for Pennsylvania is PA.

Iowa state code

The two letter state code for Iowa is IA.

Maine state code

The two letter state code for Maine is ME.

Connecticut state code

The two letter state code for Connecticut is CT.

Colorado state code

The two letter state code for Colorado is CO.

Montana state code

The two letter state code for Montana is MT.

Wyoming state code

The two letter state code for Wyoming is WY.

Oregon state code

The two letter state code for Oregon is OR.

Utah state code

The two letter state code for Utah is UT.

Washington state code

The two letter state code for Washington is WA.

Nebraska state code

The two letter state code for Nebraska is NE.

Tennessee state code

The two letter state code for Tennessee is TN.

New Jersey state code

The two letter state code for New Jersey is NJ.