What Is the Abbreviation for Mississippi?
The standard abbreviation for Mississippi is MS. This page explains why Mississippi uses MS, how the code fits into the modern USPS system, what older printed abbreviations looked like, and which nearby or similar state codes people commonly confuse with it.
What Is the Abbreviation for Mississippi?
Mississippi is abbreviated MS. Older sources may use Miss., but the two-letter postal form MS is the modern standard for addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.
MS is the form used for Mississippi in mailing addresses, shipping labels, government forms, and most databases.
Why Mississippi Uses MS
Mississippi uses the USPS abbreviation MS.
USPS adopted MS for Mississippi in 1963. The older form Miss. still appears in older publications, but MS is the standard postal abbreviation now.
Old Abbreviation for Mississippi
Before the USPS two-letter system became the mailing standard in 1963, printed reference books and newspapers often used longer abbreviations with punctuation. For Mississippi, that older style was usually Miss..
That older form still appears in historical texts, archival material, and some legacy style guides, but the modern postal and database standard is MS. If someone searches for old abbreviation for Mississippi, the practical answer is to recognize Miss. and use MS in current writing and addresses.
How to Write Mississippi in an Address
In standard American addressing, the state line uses the city name followed by the two-letter code and ZIP Code. The abbreviation stays uppercase and does not take periods.
That same format applies in checkout forms, school worksheets, CRM exports, spreadsheets, shipping labels, and government databases — anywhere a two-letter state code is required.
MS Compared With Similar State Codes
MS is often double-checked against MI, MN, and MO because the M-state abbreviations are easy to confuse when entered quickly.
Related Abbreviation Questions
These states share a first letter, region, or alphabetical position with Mississippi and are commonly checked alongside it.
Capital, Region, and Context
Mississippi belongs to the South region. Its capital is Jackson, and its postal code MS is used in addresses, forms, and databases throughout the country.
Mississippi entered the Union on December 10, 1817.
FAQ
What is the abbreviation for Mississippi?
The standard USPS abbreviation for Mississippi is MS.
What is the postal abbreviation for Mississippi?
MS is the two-letter postal abbreviation for Mississippi. It is the form used in mailing addresses, shipping labels, forms, and databases.
How do you abbreviate Mississippi?
Abbreviate Mississippi as MS in current USPS, mailing, and database use.
Why is Mississippi abbreviated MS?
Mississippi uses the USPS abbreviation MS.
What does MS stand for?
MS stands for Mississippi in the USPS state abbreviation system.
What is the old abbreviation for Mississippi?
Older editorial styles often wrote Mississippi as Miss.. For mailing and database use, the modern standard is MS.
How do you write a Mississippi mailing address?
Use the city name, then the two-letter postal code MS, then the ZIP Code. For example: Jackson, MS 00000.
What state is MS?
MS is the postal abbreviation for Mississippi, located in the South region. The capital is Jackson.
Test All 50 State Abbreviations
Now that you know MS stands for Mississippi, see how many of the other 49 you can get right. The M-states and I-states trip up most people.