Maryland State Abbreviation: Standard Md Usage And Formattin

What Is the Official Maryland State Abbreviation?

The official standard abbreviation for Maryland is MD.

Established by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in October 1963, this two-letter, all-caps code serves as the primary postal, digital, and legal abbreviation for the state. When filling out mail forms, shipping labels, federal taxes, or online database fields, MD is the required code.

Standard Postal Abbreviation: MD
Traditional/AP Style Abbreviation: Md.
Numeric FIPS Code: 24
ISO 3166-2 Code: US-MD

Beyond the two-letter postal code, you'll encounter alternative formats depending on whether you're writing a formal news report, citing legal cases, or querying administrative government systems.

Maryland Abbreviation Formats Across Standards

Different industries rely on distinct editorial and technical guidelines. Using the incorrect format on a package can delay shipping, while using the wrong code on a legal filing or academic paper breaks publishing compliance.

1. USPS Postal Standard: MD

The Post Office created two-letter abbreviations when automated optical character readers needed standard formatting to process ZIP codes.

Format: Both letters capitalized, no periods, no spaces between letters (MD).
Primary Use: Mailing addresses, package routing, automated forms, shipping software.
Example: Baltimore, MD 21201

2. Traditional & AP Style: Md.

Before 1963, states used longer abbreviations. The Associated Press (AP Stylebook) and older editorial style guides maintain the traditional format when referencing a location inside body text (though AP now spells out state names in body text unless paired with specific datelines or lists).

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Format: Capital 'M', lowercase 'd', ending with a period (Md.).
Primary Use: Journalism, historical manuscripts, formal prose writing.
Example: Annapolis, Md., serves as the state capital.

3. Federal FIPS Numeric Code: 24

Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) assign two-digit numeric codes to states for census data, statistical modeling, and database indexing.

Format: Two digits (24).
Primary Use: US Census Bureau filings, geospatial GIS data, economic survey systems.

4. International ISO Code: US-MD

The International Organization for Standardization sets codes for cross-border logistics, global trade, and international databases.

Format: Country prefix followed by state code (US-MD).
Primary Use: International customs documentation, global freight, software localization.

How to Format the Maryland Abbreviation in Mail and Documents

Small formatting mistakes disrupt automated mail sorters and digital parsing scripts. Follow these exact rules when applying the abbreviation.

Mailing Addresses

When addressing envelopes or shipping crates according to USPS Address Standards, keep everything clear for optical scanners.

Place the city, state code, and ZIP code on the bottom line.
Separate the city and state with a single comma and space.
Place two spaces (or one space) between MD and the ZIP code.
Do not insert punctuation after MD.

CORRECT:
John Doe
100 State Circle
Annapolis, MD 21401

INCORRECT:
John Doe
100 State Circle
Annapolis, Md. 21401-

In-Text Citations and Prose

If you write a publication following Chicago, MLA, or APA guidelines:

AP Style: Spell out "Maryland" in running body text. If using traditional abbreviations in lists or narrow columns, use Md.
APA / MLA: Use MD inside parenthetical citations, bibliographic entries, and publisher location notes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Confusing MD with Medical Doctor: In written content, avoid starting a sentence with "MD" if context makes it ambiguous between the state designation and a medical degree.
Adding periods to postal codes: Writing M.D. indicates a doctor of medicine. Writing M.D. for a postal address causes optical scanner misreads.
Mixing up similar state codes: Maryland (MD) is frequently confused with Maine (ME), Massachusetts (MA), or Missouri (MO). Double-check order fulfillment forms to avoid misrouted freight.
Using numeric codes on envelopes: The FIPS code 24 belongs in data fields, not address lines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the abbreviation for Maryland MD or MA?

The official abbreviation for Maryland is MD. MA is the postal abbreviation for Massachusetts.

Should I put a period after the Maryland abbreviation?

Do not use a period when using the standard postal code (MD). Only use a period if you write the traditional editorial abbreviation (Md.).

Why did Maryland's postal abbreviation change to MD?

In October 1963, the US Post Office standardized all state abbreviations to two uppercase letters. This freed up physical line space on envelope addressing machines to accommodate five-digit ZIP codes.

What is Maryland's FIPS code?

Maryland's FIPS code is 24. It is used primarily by federal agencies, statistical groups, and database managers to index state-level data.

Maryland State Abbreviation: Standard Md Usage And Formatting