State Abbreviation Guide

What Is the Abbreviation for West Virginia?

The standard 2-letter abbreviation for West Virginia is WV.

State Abbreviation
WV
Traditional Form
W.Va.
Capital
Charleston
Region
South

West Virginia Abbreviation

West Virginia is abbreviated WV. Older sources may use W.Va., but the two-letter postal form WV is the modern standard for addresses, forms, databases, and current style guides.

2-letter postal code
WV
Traditional / AP style
W.Va.
Address format
Charleston, WV
Takes periods?
No — write WV, not WV.

West Virginia Abbreviation for Mailing and Forms

WV is used for West Virginia 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 WV in uppercase. The form WV. with a period is incorrect for postal use.

AP Style and Traditional West Virginia Abbreviation

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

What Does WV Stand For?

West Virginia's USPS abbreviation is WV.

USPS adopted WV for West Virginia in 1963. The older form W.Va. still appears in older publications, but WV is the standard postal abbreviation now.

How to Write a West Virginia Address

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

John Smith 123 Main St Charleston, WV 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 West Virginia and are commonly looked up alongside it.

FAQ

What is the abbreviation for West Virginia?

The standard USPS abbreviation for West Virginia is WV.

What is the postal abbreviation for West Virginia?

WV is the two-letter postal abbreviation for West Virginia. It is the form used in mailing addresses, shipping labels, forms, and databases.

How do you abbreviate West Virginia?

Abbreviate West Virginia as WV in current USPS, mailing, and database use.

What is the two-letter abbreviation for West Virginia?

WV is the official two-letter abbreviation for West Virginia.

What is the West Virginia state code?

WV is the two-letter state code used for West Virginia in mailing addresses, forms, spreadsheets, and databases.

Why is West Virginia abbreviated WV?

West Virginia's USPS abbreviation is WV.

What does WV stand for?

WV stands for West Virginia in the USPS state abbreviation system.

What is the old abbreviation for West Virginia?

Older editorial styles often wrote West Virginia as W.Va.. For mailing and database use, the modern standard is WV.

How do you write a West Virginia mailing address?

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

What state is WV?

WV is the postal abbreviation for West Virginia, located in the South region. The capital is Charleston.