Updated June 2023
Do you feel confident when you write US vs. U.S.? Or have you just been winging it? Do you always use one form over the other because you think one is right and one is wrong? Read on for an explanation of when to use periods and when to leave them out. (Hint: Both forms are correct in different circumstances!)
Gregg Reference Manual states: “The name United States is usually abbreviated when it is part of the name of a government agency. When used as an adjective, the name is often abbreviated, though not in formal usage. When used as a noun, the name is spelled out.”
In other words, in general prose, one should use U.S. when abbreviating.
Of all the holidays we celebrate in the U.S., we especially look forward to Independence Day for the fireworks!
However, there are some exceptions:
U.S. Department of Agriculture or USDA
U.S. Air Force or USAF
NOTE: When a company uses a geographic abbreviation in its corporate name or in the name of a product, respect the company’s style.
U.S.A., but USA Today
U.S., but U S WEST Communications
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any thoughts on R.S.V.P. vs. RSVP?
Hi Michelle,
Both R.S.V.P. and RSVP are technically correct. However, it has recently become more commonplace to use RSVP without the periods.
USA. Or U.S.A.
U.S. but it’s fine either way. I believe they recently changed it to RSVP, yet I may be wrong.
What about P.O.W. and POW? Or is it PoW? I have seen it many different ways.
We’ve seen it spelled POW, P.O.W., and PoW. It can be spelled any of the three ways.
Is it US’s biggest or US’ biggest?
Hi Pamela,
It is US’s biggest.
Yeah, so is it “I’m from the USA.” or is it “I’m from the U.S.A.”?
We’ve seen it spelled both ways. Either way is fine.
What about U.S.. or U.S. at the end of a sentence?
Hi Joe,
It would be U.S. at the end of a sentence.
How about at the end of a subtitle just prior to a colon, for example
History of Inheritance in the US: blah blah
or
History of Inheritance in the U.S.: blah blah
Without periods looks better. Is it acceptable? (Especially in an article that otherwise uses periods as at americanrtl.org/contstitution.)
Hi Bob,
In that case, you can drop the period before the colon, so it would be U.S:
Hope this helps!
What about admin. does it need a period?
No, it does not.
When I use U.S. in a sentence and put it at the end, do I put an extra period like U.S.. or just leave it at U.S.
Just leave it at U.S.
If I abbreviate United States with periods, is there a spacing preference between U.S. and U. S.?
As you can see in the article, there is no space in U.S.
Is it “US-based company” or “U.S.-based company” or “USA-based company” or “U.S.A.-based company”?? Please help
U.S.-based company.