Postal Code Guide

What Is the Abbreviation for Nevada?

The standard abbreviation for Nevada is NV. This page explains why Nevada uses NV, 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.

Postal Code

Traditional Form

Nev.

Capital

Carson City

Region

West

NV Nevada's modern two-letter state abbreviation.

What Is the Abbreviation for Nevada?

NV is the standard abbreviation for Nevada. Nev. still appears in older print sources, but NV is the standard code used in addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.

NV is used for Nevada in mailing addresses, shipping labels, official forms, and database entries.

Why Nevada Uses NV

Nevada's USPS abbreviation is NV.

USPS has used NV for Nevada since 1963. The older abbreviation Nev. still appears in older sources, but NV is the standard postal form today.

All 50 abbreviations Nevada state page

Old Abbreviation for Nevada

Before the USPS two-letter system became the mailing standard in 1963, printed reference books and newspapers often used longer abbreviations with punctuation. For Nevada, that older style was usually Nev..

That older form still appears in historical texts, archival material, and some legacy style guides, but the modern postal and database standard is NV. If someone searches for old abbreviation for Nevada, the practical answer is to recognize Nev. and use NV in current writing and addresses.

How to Write Nevada 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.

Carson City, NV 00000

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.

NV Compared With Similar State Codes

NV is commonly checked against NE, NH, and NJ because several N-state abbreviations differ by only one letter.

Nebraska (NE) Nebraska uses NE, while Nevada uses NV. New Hampshire (NH) New Hampshire uses NH, while Nevada uses NV. New Jersey (NJ) New Jersey uses NJ, while Nevada uses NV. New Mexico (NM) New Mexico uses NM, while Nevada uses NV.

Capital, Region, and Context

Nevada belongs to the West region. Its capital is Carson City, and its postal code NV is used in addresses, forms, and databases throughout the country.