State Abbreviation Guide

What Is the Abbreviation for Delaware?

The standard 2-letter abbreviation for Delaware is DE.

State Abbreviation
DE
Traditional Form
Del.
Capital
Dover
Region
South

Delaware Abbreviation

Delaware is abbreviated DE. Older sources may use Del., but the two-letter postal form DE is the modern standard for addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.

2-letter postal code
DE
Traditional / AP style
Del.
Address format
Dover, DE
Takes periods?
No — write DE, not DE.

Delaware Abbreviation for Mailing and Forms

DE is the abbreviation used for Delaware in mailing addresses, shipping labels, government forms, and databases.

Mailing addresses
Shipping labels
Online checkout forms
Tax documents
Spreadsheets & databases
Government & school records

In all of these contexts write DE in uppercase. The form DE. with a period is incorrect for postal use.

AP Style and Traditional Delaware Abbreviation

Postal & forms DE Mailing addresses, shipping labels, online forms, and all data entry.
AP Style & editorial Del. Newspapers, news releases, and most editorial style guides when a city name comes first.

What Does DE Stand For?

Delaware's USPS abbreviation is DE.

USPS has used DE for Delaware since 1963. The older abbreviation Del. still appears in older material, but DE is the standard postal form today.

How to Write a Delaware Address

In a U.S. mailing address, write the city name, then DE in uppercase, then the five-digit ZIP Code. Never put a period after the abbreviation.

John Smith 123 Main St Dover, DE ZIP

The same format applies in checkout forms, school worksheets, CRM systems, spreadsheets, shipping labels, and government databases — anywhere a two-letter state code is required.

Related Abbreviation Questions

These states share a first letter, region, or alphabetical position with Delaware and are commonly looked up alongside it.

What is the abbreviation for Colorado? Colorado's abbreviation is CO. What is the abbreviation for Connecticut? Connecticut's abbreviation is CT. What is the abbreviation for Florida? Florida's abbreviation is FL. What is the abbreviation for Georgia? Georgia's abbreviation is GA. What is the abbreviation for Alabama? Alabama's abbreviation is AL. What is the abbreviation for Arkansas? Arkansas's abbreviation is AR.

FAQ

What is the abbreviation for Delaware?

The standard USPS abbreviation for Delaware is DE.

What is the postal abbreviation for Delaware?

DE is the two-letter postal abbreviation for Delaware. It is the form used in mailing addresses, shipping labels, forms, and databases.

How do you abbreviate Delaware?

Abbreviate Delaware as DE in current USPS, mailing, and database use.

What is the two-letter abbreviation for Delaware?

DE is the official two-letter abbreviation for Delaware.

What is the Delaware state code?

DE is the two-letter state code used for Delaware in mailing addresses, forms, spreadsheets, and databases.

Why is Delaware abbreviated DE?

Delaware's USPS abbreviation is DE.

What does DE stand for?

DE stands for Delaware in the USPS state abbreviation system.

What is the old abbreviation for Delaware?

Older editorial styles often wrote Delaware as Del.. For mailing and database use, the modern standard is DE.

How do you write a Delaware mailing address?

Use the city name, then the two-letter postal code DE, then the ZIP Code. For example: Dover, DE 00000.

What state is DE?

DE is the postal abbreviation for Delaware, located in the South region. The capital is Dover.