The United States has 50 states. This guide lists every state in alphabetical order, gives its capital city, and explains how the states differ from the District of Columbia and U.S. territories. The U.S. Census Bureau defines the United States as the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
Quick Answer
The United States has 50 states. The District of Columbia and U.S. territories are separate from the 50 states and are not counted as additional states.
List of All 50 U.S. States in Alphabetical Order
| No. | State | Capital |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alabama | Montgomery |
| 2 | Alaska | Juneau |
| 3 | Arizona | Phoenix |
| 4 | Arkansas | Little Rock |
| 5 | California | Sacramento |
| 6 | Colorado | Denver |
| 7 | Connecticut | Hartford |
| 8 | Delaware | Dover |
| 9 | Florida | Tallahassee |
| 10 | Georgia | Atlanta |
| 11 | Hawaii | Honolulu |
| 12 | Idaho | Boise |
| 13 | Illinois | Springfield |
| 14 | Indiana | Indianapolis |
| 15 | Iowa | Des Moines |
| 16 | Kansas | Topeka |
| 17 | Kentucky | Frankfort |
| 18 | Louisiana | Baton Rouge |
| 19 | Maine | Augusta |
| 20 | Maryland | Annapolis |
| 21 | Massachusetts | Boston |
| 22 | Michigan | Lansing |
| 23 | Minnesota | Saint Paul |
| 24 | Mississippi | Jackson |
| 25 | Missouri | Jefferson City |
| 26 | Montana | Helena |
| 27 | Nebraska | Lincoln |
| 28 | Nevada | Carson City |
| 29 | New Hampshire | Concord |
| 30 | New Jersey | Trenton |
| 31 | New Mexico | Santa Fe |
| 32 | New York | Albany |
| 33 | North Carolina | Raleigh |
| 34 | North Dakota | Bismarck |
| 35 | Ohio | Columbus |
| 36 | Oklahoma | Oklahoma City |
| 37 | Oregon | Salem |
| 38 | Pennsylvania | Harrisburg |
| 39 | Rhode Island | Providence |
| 40 | South Carolina | Columbia |
| 41 | South Dakota | Pierre |
| 42 | Tennessee | Nashville |
| 43 | Texas | Austin |
| 44 | Utah | Salt Lake City |
| 45 | Vermont | Montpelier |
| 46 | Virginia | Richmond |
| 47 | Washington | Olympia |
| 48 | West Virginia | Charleston |
| 49 | Wisconsin | Madison |
| 50 | Wyoming | Cheyenne |
What Are the 50 States of the United States?
The 50 states are the constituent states of the United States. Forty-eight states and the District of Columbia are contiguous; Alaska is also in North America, while Hawaii is an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean.
U.S. States and Their Capitals
A state capital is the seat of its state government. It is not necessarily the state’s largest or best-known city.
For example, Albany is the capital of New York, while New York City is the state’s largest city. Sacramento is the capital of California, while Los Angeles is its largest city.
District of Columbia vs. the 50 States
The District of Columbia, commonly called Washington, D.C., is the federal district that contains the nation’s capital. It is not one of the 50 states. The U.S. Census Bureau separately identifies the 50 states and the District of Columbia in its definition of the United States.
U.S. Territories Are Not States
The United States also has territories, but they are not additional states. Major inhabited U.S. territories include:
- Puerto Rico
- Guam
- American Samoa
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands
The Census Bureau treats these as separate geographic categories from the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
How Many States Are in the United States?
There are 50 states in the United States. The District of Columbia and U.S. territories are not counted as additional states.
What Is the Difference Between a State and a Territory?
A state is one of the 50 constituent states of the United States. A U.S. territory is under U.S. jurisdiction but is not a state. The two categories therefore should not be combined when answering a question about the number of U.S. states.
Related Concepts
- U.S. State
- has a State Capital — distinct from U.S. Territory and the District of Columbia
- District of Columbia
- is a federal district — not a U.S. state
- U.S. State Abbreviation
- see U.S. State Abbreviations and Map Guide
Planning a Visit to the United States?
If you are travelling to the U.S., knowing the states and their capitals can help when planning a multi-city itinerary. It is also worth preparing for travel-related medical expenses before you leave.
Related U.S. State Reference
If you are looking specifically for postal abbreviations, see our U.S. state abbreviations and map guide.
Official Sources and References
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