What Is the Abbreviation for Washington?
The standard abbreviation for Washington is WA. This page explains why Washington uses WA, 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 Washington?
The abbreviation for Washington is WA. In older writing you might see Wash., but today's mailing, form, and database standard is WA.
Use WA for Washington in mailing addresses, shipping labels, government forms, and business records.
Why Washington Uses WA
Washington uses the USPS abbreviation WA.
WA became Washington's standard postal abbreviation in 1963. The older form Wash. still appears in older writing, but WA is the form used in current addresses and forms.
Old Abbreviation for Washington
Before the USPS two-letter system became the mailing standard in 1963, printed reference books and newspapers often used longer abbreviations with punctuation. For Washington, that older style was usually Wash..
That older form still appears in historical texts, archival material, and some legacy style guides, but the modern postal and database standard is WA. If someone searches for old abbreviation for Washington, the practical answer is to recognize Wash. and use WA in current writing and addresses.
How to Write Washington 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.
WA Compared With Similar State Codes
WA is often compared with WV, WI, and WY because several W-state codes look similar at a glance.
Related Abbreviation Questions
These states share a first letter, region, or alphabetical position with Washington and are commonly checked alongside it.
Capital, Region, and Context
Washington belongs to the West region. Its capital is Olympia, and its postal code WA is used in addresses, forms, and databases throughout the country.
Washington entered the Union on November 11, 1889.
FAQ
What is the abbreviation for Washington?
The standard USPS abbreviation for Washington is WA.
What is the postal abbreviation for Washington?
WA is the two-letter postal abbreviation for Washington. It is the form used in mailing addresses, shipping labels, forms, and databases.
How do you abbreviate Washington?
Abbreviate Washington as WA in current USPS, mailing, and database use.
Why is Washington abbreviated WA?
Washington uses the USPS abbreviation WA.
What does WA stand for?
WA stands for Washington in the USPS state abbreviation system.
What is the old abbreviation for Washington?
Older editorial styles often wrote Washington as Wash.. For mailing and database use, the modern standard is WA.
How do you write a Washington mailing address?
Use the city name, then the two-letter postal code WA, then the ZIP Code. For example: Olympia, WA 00000.
What state is WA?
WA is the postal abbreviation for Washington, located in the West region. The capital is Olympia.
Test All 50 State Abbreviations
Now that you know WA stands for Washington, see how many of the other 49 you can get right. The M-states and I-states trip up most people.