abbreviations

Avoid abbreviated words, when possible, with a few rare exceptions such as months when in a complete date; states when following a city name in text, datelines, and in addresses; some titles before names; legal statuses of companies when part of a name; and in a few other instances.

Months are abbreviated in a complete date. Example:

• Jan. 31, 2025
• Sign up for the contest by 4 p.m., Aug. 4.
• The third installment of the series is slated for release at midnight on Oct. 31 — Halloween.

Abbreviated states vary by placement. Examples:

• In datelines and in text, abbreviate with the standard abbreviation, such as Atlanta, Ga., or Tacoma, Wash.
• In addresses, abbreviate using the postal abbreviation. For examples: 147 Hanover St, Boston, MA 02108

For all abbreviations remember to use the <abbr> tag for improved accessibility. Those with certain accessibility settings turned on can hear the full word or scroll over to see the full word, but only the abbreviation looks visible to the average user. For example:

• <abbr title="January">Jan.</abbr> 31, 2025 will render as Jan. 31, 2025
• Tacoma, <abbr title="Washington">Wash.</abbr> will render as Tacoma, Wash.

For abbreviated titles before names (Mr., Mrs., Ms., Mx., Rep., Rev., Lt., etc.), see titles applied to names.

The difference between using the tag and not using the abbr tag may only be obvious if tested with screen reader software. Taking the example of the abbreviation for the state of Georgia, for example, it becomes obvious.

• Ga. reads either gah or G A.

Why? When the screen reader software encounters some abbreviations or acronyms not in its database, it will read them to the user as is, either as letters or sound them out as words. By adding the <abbr> tag, the screen reader software will give the user the readout of the abbreviation or acronym.

• Ga. reads as Georgia.

Also see acronyms.