State Abbreviation Guide

What Is the Abbreviation for North Carolina?

The standard 2-letter abbreviation for North Carolina is NC.

State Abbreviation
NC
Traditional Form
N.C.
Capital
Raleigh
Region
South

North Carolina Abbreviation

North Carolina is abbreviated NC. Older sources may use N.C., but the two-letter postal form NC is the modern standard for addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.

2-letter postal code
NC
Traditional / AP style
N.C.
Address format
Raleigh, NC
Takes periods?
No — write NC, not NC.

North Carolina Abbreviation for Mailing and Forms

Use NC for North Carolina in mailing addresses, shipping labels, official forms, and database entries.

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

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

AP Style and Traditional North Carolina Abbreviation

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

What Does NC Stand For?

North Carolina's USPS abbreviation is NC.

NC has been North Carolina's standard postal abbreviation since 1963. The older form N.C. still appears in older sources, but NC is the standard postal form now.

How to Write a North Carolina Address

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

John Smith 123 Main St Raleigh, NC 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 North Carolina and are commonly looked up alongside it.

FAQ

What is the abbreviation for North Carolina?

The standard USPS abbreviation for North Carolina is NC.

What is the postal abbreviation for North Carolina?

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

How do you abbreviate North Carolina?

Abbreviate North Carolina as NC in current USPS, mailing, and database use.

What is the two-letter abbreviation for North Carolina?

NC is the official two-letter abbreviation for North Carolina.

What is the North Carolina state code?

NC is the two-letter state code used for North Carolina in mailing addresses, forms, spreadsheets, and databases.

Why is North Carolina abbreviated NC?

North Carolina's USPS abbreviation is NC.

What does NC stand for?

NC stands for North Carolina in the USPS state abbreviation system.

What is the old abbreviation for North Carolina?

Older editorial styles often wrote North Carolina as N.C.. For mailing and database use, the modern standard is NC.

How do you write a North Carolina mailing address?

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

What state is NC?

NC is the postal abbreviation for North Carolina, located in the South region. The capital is Raleigh.