50 States Matching Game

Match every US state to its capital, postal code or nickname, six pairs at a time.

Match every US state to its capital, its postal code or its nickname. Six pairs on screen at a time, a new state every time you clear one, and a best time for each set.

How the 50 states matching game works

Pick a set: states and their capitals, states and their two-letter postal codes, or states and their nicknames. Six states appear on the left and their matches on the right, in a different order. Tap a state, then its match (or the other way round). A right pair clears and the next state slides into its place; a wrong pair flashes red and counts against you. The round ends when all 50 states are matched, and your time for that set is saved as a personal best.

Why matching works for learning the states

Matching is recognition, the easiest kind of recall: you only have to spot the right answer, not produce it from memory. That makes it a good first step before the harder typing quizzes. Because only six pairs are on screen at once, you also compare a small, changing group each time instead of scanning a list of fifty, and a state you missed shows up in the review list at the end.

A route through the three sets

Postal codes first. Nineteen are just the first two letters of the name, such as AL Alabama and CA California, and the ten two-word states use their initials (NH, NJ, NM, NY, NC, ND, RI, SC, SD, WV). The ones to watch are the eight M states (MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT), AK Alaska, AZ Arizona, and CT, GA, HI, IA, KS, KY, LA, NV, PA, TN, TX, VT and VA.
Capitals next. Many capitals are not the biggest city in their state: Sacramento, not Los Angeles; Albany, not New York City; Springfield, not Chicago; Tallahassee, not Jacksonville.
Nicknames last. Many nicknames point at a state symbol or a landmark, which makes them easier once you know the states' shapes and places.

Keep going

Type all fifty from memory: Name All 50 US States
Click them on a blank map: US States Map Quiz
Capitals as multiple choice: US State to Capital

Frequently asked questions

How do you play the 50 states matching game?

Choose a set (capitals, postal codes or nicknames), then tap a state on the left and its match on the right. A correct pair clears and the next state takes its place until all 50 are matched.

Can I match states to capitals?

Yes. The capitals set pairs all 50 states with their capital cities. There are also sets for the two-letter postal codes and the state nicknames.

Does a wrong match end the game?

No. A wrong pair flashes red and adds one to your wrong count; you keep going until every state is matched. The states you mixed up are listed at the end.

Is my best time saved?

Yes, your best time for each of the three sets is kept in this browser. Nothing needs an account.

Does it work on phones and with a keyboard?

Yes. The tiles are large enough to tap, and every tile is a button you can reach with Tab and pick with Enter.