150 cards

State Flash Cards: Abbreviations, Nicknames and Regions of the US

Name the state from its abbreviation or its nickname, or place it in its region.

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Type the state, or the region for a region card

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How to practise

Next step Next: state capitals, asked both ways

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Abbreviation to state 50

AK Alaska (AK). Capital: Juneau. Became a state in 1959.
AL Alabama (AL). Capital: Montgomery. Became a state in 1819.
AR Arkansas (AR). Capital: Little Rock. Became a state in 1836.
AZ Arizona (AZ). Capital: Phoenix. Became a state in 1912.
CA California (CA). Capital: Sacramento. Became a state in 1850.
CO Colorado (CO). Capital: Denver. Became a state in 1876.
CT Connecticut (CT). Capital: Hartford. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
DE Delaware (DE). Capital: Dover. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
FL Florida (FL). Capital: Tallahassee. Became a state in 1845.
GA Georgia (GA). Capital: Atlanta. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
HI Hawaii (HI). Capital: Honolulu. Became a state in 1959.
IA Iowa (IA). Capital: Des Moines. Became a state in 1846.
ID Idaho (ID). Capital: Boise. Became a state in 1890.
IL Illinois (IL). Capital: Springfield. Became a state in 1818.
IN Indiana (IN). Capital: Indianapolis. Became a state in 1816.
KS Kansas (KS). Capital: Topeka. Became a state in 1861.
KY Kentucky (KY). Capital: Frankfort. Became a state in 1792.
LA Louisiana (LA). Capital: Baton Rouge. Became a state in 1812.
MA Massachusetts (MA). Capital: Boston. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.

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Abbreviation to state, continued

MD Maryland (MD). Capital: Annapolis. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
ME Maine (ME). Capital: Augusta. Became a state in 1820.
MI Michigan (MI). Capital: Lansing. Became a state in 1837.
MN Minnesota (MN). Capital: Saint Paul. Became a state in 1858.
MO Missouri (MO). Capital: Jefferson City. Became a state in 1821.
MS Mississippi (MS). Capital: Jackson. Became a state in 1817.
MT Montana (MT). Capital: Helena. Became a state in 1889.
NC North Carolina (NC). Capital: Raleigh. Ratified the Constitution in 1789.
ND North Dakota (ND). Capital: Bismarck. Became a state in 1889.
NE Nebraska (NE). Capital: Lincoln. Became a state in 1867.
NH New Hampshire (NH). Capital: Concord. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
NJ New Jersey (NJ). Capital: Trenton. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
NM New Mexico (NM). Capital: Santa Fe. Became a state in 1912.
NV Nevada (NV). Capital: Carson City. Became a state in 1864.
NY New York (NY). Capital: Albany. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
OH Ohio (OH). Capital: Columbus. Became a state in 1803.
OK Oklahoma (OK). Capital: Oklahoma City. Became a state in 1907.
OR Oregon (OR). Capital: Salem. Became a state in 1859.
PA Pennsylvania (PA). Capital: Harrisburg. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
RI Rhode Island (RI). Capital: Providence. Ratified the Constitution in 1790.
SC South Carolina (SC). Capital: Columbia. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
SD South Dakota (SD). Capital: Pierre. Became a state in 1889.
TN Tennessee (TN). Capital: Nashville. Became a state in 1796.
TX Texas (TX). Capital: Austin. Became a state in 1845.
UT Utah (UT). Capital: Salt Lake City. Became a state in 1896.
VA Virginia (VA). Capital: Richmond. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
VT Vermont (VT). Capital: Montpelier. Became a state in 1791.
WA Washington (WA). Capital: Olympia. Became a state in 1889.
WI Wisconsin (WI). Capital: Madison. Became a state in 1848.
WV West Virginia (WV). Capital: Charleston. Became a state in 1863.
WY Wyoming (WY). Capital: Cheyenne. Became a state in 1890.

Nickname to state 50

The Aloha State Hawaii. Capital: Honolulu. Became a state in 1959.
The Badger State Wisconsin. Capital: Madison. Became a state in 1848.
The Bay State Massachusetts. Capital: Boston. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Beaver State Oregon. Capital: Salem. Became a state in 1859.
The Beehive State Utah. Capital: Salt Lake City. Became a state in 1896.
The Bluegrass State Kentucky. Capital: Frankfort. Became a state in 1792.
The Buckeye State Ohio. Capital: Columbus. Became a state in 1803.
The Centennial State Colorado. Capital: Denver. Became a state in 1876.
The Constitution State Connecticut. Capital: Hartford. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Cornhusker State Nebraska. Capital: Lincoln. Became a state in 1867.
The Empire State New York. Capital: Albany. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Equality State Wyoming. Capital: Cheyenne. Became a state in 1890.
The Evergreen State Washington. Capital: Olympia. Became a state in 1889.
The First State Delaware. Capital: Dover. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
The Garden State New Jersey. Capital: Trenton. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
The Gem State Idaho. Capital: Boise. Became a state in 1890.
The Golden State California. Capital: Sacramento. Became a state in 1850.
The Grand Canyon State Arizona. Capital: Phoenix. Became a state in 1912.
The Granite State New Hampshire. Capital: Concord. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Great Lakes State Michigan. Capital: Lansing. Became a state in 1837.
The Green Mountain State Vermont. Capital: Montpelier. Became a state in 1791.
The Hawkeye State Iowa. Capital: Des Moines. Became a state in 1846.
The Hoosier State Indiana. Capital: Indianapolis. Became a state in 1816.
The Keystone State Pennsylvania. Capital: Harrisburg. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico. Capital: Santa Fe. Became a state in 1912.
Land of Lincoln Illinois. Capital: Springfield. Became a state in 1818.
The Last Frontier Alaska. Capital: Juneau. Became a state in 1959.
The Lone Star State Texas. Capital: Austin. Became a state in 1845.
The Magnolia State Mississippi. Capital: Jackson. Became a state in 1817.
The Mount Rushmore State South Dakota. Capital: Pierre. Became a state in 1889.
The Mountain State West Virginia. Capital: Charleston. Became a state in 1863.
The Natural State Arkansas. Capital: Little Rock. Became a state in 1836.
The North Star State Minnesota. Capital: Saint Paul. Became a state in 1858.
The Ocean State Rhode Island. Capital: Providence. Ratified the Constitution in 1790.
The Old Dominion Virginia. Capital: Richmond. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Old Line State Maryland. Capital: Annapolis. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Palmetto State South Carolina. Capital: Columbia. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Peace Garden State North Dakota. Capital: Bismarck. Became a state in 1889.
The Peach State Georgia. Capital: Atlanta. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
The Pelican State Louisiana. Capital: Baton Rouge. Became a state in 1812.
The Pine Tree State Maine. Capital: Augusta. Became a state in 1820.
The Show Me State Missouri. Capital: Jefferson City. Became a state in 1821.
The Silver State Nevada. Capital: Carson City. Became a state in 1864.
The Sooner State Oklahoma. Capital: Oklahoma City. Became a state in 1907.
The Sunflower State Kansas. Capital: Topeka. Became a state in 1861.
The Sunshine State Florida. Capital: Tallahassee. Became a state in 1845.
The Tar Heel State North Carolina. Capital: Raleigh. Ratified the Constitution in 1789.
The Treasure State Montana. Capital: Helena. Became a state in 1889.
The Volunteer State Tennessee. Capital: Nashville. Became a state in 1796.
The Yellowhammer State Alabama. Capital: Montgomery. Became a state in 1819.

State to region 50

Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Alabama South: Alabama. Capital: Montgomery. Became a state in 1819.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Alaska West: Alaska. Capital: Juneau. Became a state in 1959.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Arizona West: Arizona. Capital: Phoenix. Became a state in 1912.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Arkansas South: Arkansas. Capital: Little Rock. Became a state in 1836.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? California West: California. Capital: Sacramento. Became a state in 1850.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Colorado West: Colorado. Capital: Denver. Became a state in 1876.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Connecticut Northeast: Connecticut. Capital: Hartford. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Delaware South: Delaware. Capital: Dover. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Florida South: Florida. Capital: Tallahassee. Became a state in 1845.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Georgia South: Georgia. Capital: Atlanta. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Hawaii West: Hawaii. Capital: Honolulu. Became a state in 1959.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Idaho West: Idaho. Capital: Boise. Became a state in 1890.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Illinois Midwest: Illinois. Capital: Springfield. Became a state in 1818.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Indiana Midwest: Indiana. Capital: Indianapolis. Became a state in 1816.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Iowa Midwest: Iowa. Capital: Des Moines. Became a state in 1846.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Kansas Midwest: Kansas. Capital: Topeka. Became a state in 1861.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Kentucky South: Kentucky. Capital: Frankfort. Became a state in 1792.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Louisiana South: Louisiana. Capital: Baton Rouge. Became a state in 1812.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Maine Northeast: Maine. Capital: Augusta. Became a state in 1820.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Maryland South: Maryland. Capital: Annapolis. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Massachusetts Northeast: Massachusetts. Capital: Boston. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Michigan Midwest: Michigan. Capital: Lansing. Became a state in 1837.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Minnesota Midwest: Minnesota. Capital: Saint Paul. Became a state in 1858.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Mississippi South: Mississippi. Capital: Jackson. Became a state in 1817.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Missouri Midwest: Missouri. Capital: Jefferson City. Became a state in 1821.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Montana West: Montana. Capital: Helena. Became a state in 1889.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Nebraska Midwest: Nebraska. Capital: Lincoln. Became a state in 1867.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Nevada West: Nevada. Capital: Carson City. Became a state in 1864.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? New Hampshire Northeast: New Hampshire. Capital: Concord. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? New Jersey Northeast: New Jersey. Capital: Trenton. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? New Mexico West: New Mexico. Capital: Santa Fe. Became a state in 1912.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? New York Northeast: New York. Capital: Albany. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? North Carolina South: North Carolina. Capital: Raleigh. Ratified the Constitution in 1789.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? North Dakota Midwest: North Dakota. Capital: Bismarck. Became a state in 1889.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Ohio Midwest: Ohio. Capital: Columbus. Became a state in 1803.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Oklahoma South: Oklahoma. Capital: Oklahoma City. Became a state in 1907.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Oregon West: Oregon. Capital: Salem. Became a state in 1859.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Pennsylvania Northeast: Pennsylvania. Capital: Harrisburg. Ratified the Constitution in 1787.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Rhode Island Northeast: Rhode Island. Capital: Providence. Ratified the Constitution in 1790.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? South Carolina South: South Carolina. Capital: Columbia. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? South Dakota Midwest: South Dakota. Capital: Pierre. Became a state in 1889.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Tennessee South: Tennessee. Capital: Nashville. Became a state in 1796.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Texas South: Texas. Capital: Austin. Became a state in 1845.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Utah West: Utah. Capital: Salt Lake City. Became a state in 1896.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Vermont Northeast: Vermont. Capital: Montpelier. Became a state in 1791.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Virginia South: Virginia. Capital: Richmond. Ratified the Constitution in 1788.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Washington West: Washington. Capital: Olympia. Became a state in 1889.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? West Virginia South: West Virginia. Capital: Charleston. Became a state in 1863.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Wisconsin Midwest: Wisconsin. Capital: Madison. Became a state in 1848.
Northeast, Midwest, South or West? Wyoming West: Wyoming. Capital: Cheyenne. Became a state in 1890.

How this list was compiled: Own deck of 150 cards, three for each of the 50 states, from sources read on 2026-09-30. Two-letter abbreviations: US Postal Service, Publication 28, Appendix B (https://pe.usps.com/text/pub28/28apb.htm). Regions: the four regions of the US Census Bureau (https://www2.census.gov/geo/pdfs/maps-data/maps/reference/us_regdiv.pdf). Capitals: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_capitals_in_the_United_States. Years: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_date_of_admission_to_the_Union, which gives the year each of the first 13 states ratified the Constitution and the year Congress admitted each later state; each state's own Wikipedia article gives the same year. Nicknames: one for each state, kept only because both the state's own Wikipedia article and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._state_and_territory_nicknames print it. Many states have more than one nickname, and not every nickname here was adopted by law. Licence: own work

How it works

These state flash cards ask three things about each of the 50 states: its two-letter postal abbreviation, a nickname and its Census region. Every back adds the capital and a year. The page opens on abbreviations.

Read the full guide

Three sets of 50

Show only deals one set. Abbreviation to state shows MO and asks for Missouri. Nickname to state shows The Sunshine State and asks for Florida. State to region asks whether a state is in the Northeast, Midwest, South or West, the four regions the Census Bureau uses.

Print US states flash cards

One set of 50 takes five sheets of Letter or A4, 12 cards to a sheet, and all 150 take thirteen. Turn a card, then press the print button under it, print on both sides and flip on the long edge: the backs are mirrored, so Missouri lands behind MO.

For United States flash cards that ask for the capital, use the geography flashcards: state to capital and capital to state.
Eight abbreviations start with M and eight with N. Deal Abbreviation to state until those sixteen are easy.
Many states have more than one nickname. Each card uses one that two references give for the state.

Questions and answers

What are the four regions of the United States?

The Census Bureau sorts the states into the Northeast (9 states), the Midwest (12), the South (16) and the West (13). Other maps draw the regions differently; these cards follow the Census Bureau.

Which state abbreviations are not the first two letters of the name?

Thirty-one of the 50. Ten two-word states use their initials, such as NY and SD. Twenty-one others pair the first letter with a later one: Alaska is AK, Arizona AZ, Missouri MO, Mississippi MS, Tennessee TN and Texas TX.

Do the cards include state capitals?

On the back. Under each answer is the capital and a year: the year the state ratified the Constitution or the year it was admitted. No card asks for a capital.

Why do some backs say ratified and not became a state?

Congress did not admit the first 13 states. The year on their cards is the year each ratified the Constitution, from Delaware in 1787 to Rhode Island in 1790. The other 37 show the year they were admitted.