Name All US State Capitals

All 50 state capitals in 5 minutes.

Type all 50 US state capitals against the clock. Free, no signup, and every one you miss is listed at the end.

How this quiz works

Start the timer and type capitals in any order. Correct entries lock in; the ones you never reach are shown when time runs out. Most people manage 20 to 30 on a first run, because state capitals are much less familiar than state names.

The twelve that decide your score

Albany (New York), Sacramento (California), Springfield (Illinois), Tallahassee (Florida), Austin (Texas), Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), Olympia (Washington), Carson City (Nevada), Jefferson City (Missouri), Salem (Oregon), Juneau (Alaska) and Annapolis (Maryland). Every one of these is a state where the capital is not the state's biggest city — the single most common source of wrong answers.

Group them so they stick

Named after people: Jackson (Mississippi), Madison (Wisconsin), Lincoln (Nebraska), Jefferson City (Missouri), Bismarck (North Dakota), Columbus and Columbia (Ohio, South Carolina), Carson City (Nevada), Austin (Texas), Denver (Colorado), Raleigh (North Carolina), Pierre (South Dakota).
Saints and Spanish names: Saint Paul (Minnesota), Sacramento (California), Santa Fe (New Mexico), San Juan is *not* one (that is Puerto Rico).
Cities that share their state's initial: Indianapolis, Oklahoma City, Honolulu is not one — but Boise/Idaho and Boston/Massachusetts are easy pairs to chunk.

Practice order

Keep reading

Frequently asked questions

What is the hardest state capital to remember?

Most people miss Pierre (South Dakota), Montpelier (Vermont), Annapolis (Maryland) and Carson City (Nevada).

What is the smallest US state capital by population?

Montpelier, Vermont, is the smallest state capital by population in the United States.

How many state capitals should I aim for on a first try?

Twenty to thirty is a normal first attempt. Getting all 50 typically takes a week or two of short daily practice.

Is this state capitals quiz free?

Yes — unlimited attempts, no signup, works on any device.