Postal Code Guide

What Is the Abbreviation for New York?

The standard abbreviation for New York is NY. This page explains why New York uses NY, 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

N.Y.

Capital

Albany

Region

Northeast

NY New York's modern two-letter state abbreviation.

What Is the Abbreviation for New York?

New York's abbreviation is NY. You may also see N.Y. in older writing, but NY is the form used in mailing addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.

Use NY for New York in mailing addresses, shipping labels, government forms, and business records.

Why New York Uses NY

New York uses the USPS abbreviation NY.

NY became New York's standard postal abbreviation in 1963. The older form N.Y. still appears in older writing, but NY is the form used in current addresses and forms.

All 50 abbreviations New York state page

Old Abbreviation for New York

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

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

How to Write New York 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.

Albany, NY 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.

NY Compared With Similar State Codes

NY is often compared with NH, NJ, and NM because New-state abbreviations can blur together in short lists and dropdowns.

Nebraska (NE) Nebraska uses NE, while New York uses NY. Nevada (NV) Nevada uses NV, while New York uses NY. New Hampshire (NH) New Hampshire uses NH, while New York uses NY. New Jersey (NJ) New Jersey uses NJ, while New York uses NY.

Capital, Region, and Context

New York belongs to the Northeast region. Its capital is Albany, and its postal code NY is used in addresses, forms, and databases throughout the country.