Common Atlanta Abbreviations: How “Atlanta” Is Shortened Locally and Officially

If you live in Atlanta, travel here often, or are filling out forms that mention the city, you may wonder: what is the correct abbreviation for Atlanta? The answer depends on the context—mailing addresses, maps, sports, texting, and more all use Atlanta-related abbreviations a little differently.

Below is a clear guide tailored to Atlanta, Georgia, so you know exactly which abbreviation to use and when.

The Short Answer: “ATL” and “Atlanta, GA”

When most people ask about the abbreviation for Atlanta, they’re usually thinking of one of two things:

• City nickname / informal abbreviation:ATL
• Mailing / official location abbreviation:Atlanta, GA

ATL has become the most widely recognized short form and nickname for Atlanta, especially locally and in popular culture. But for anything official, like forms or addresses, you’ll usually write out “Atlanta, GA” and use standard postal abbreviations for the state and street types.

Official & Mailing Abbreviations for Atlanta

City and State for Mailing

For addresses, businesses, and government forms in the United States, Atlanta is not shortened; instead, the state is abbreviated.

Example of a standard Atlanta mailing format:

John Doe
123 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Key points:

• City: Written as Atlanta (not abbreviated)
• State:GA – the official postal abbreviation for Georgia
• ZIP Code: Five digits (sometimes plus the 4-digit extension)

Common Address-Related Abbreviations Used in Atlanta

These are standard across the U.S., but Atlanta residents see them constantly on local mail, utility bills, and government documents:

• St – Street
• Rd – Road
• Ave – Avenue
• Blvd – Boulevard
• Dr – Drive
• Ln – Lane
• Ct – Court
• NE / NW / SE / SW – Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest (used all over Atlanta, especially in city addresses)

You might notice Atlanta addresses like:

• 75 Ted Turner Dr NW, Atlanta, GA 30303
• 600 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, GA 30308

The city name itself stays Atlanta, while the directional abbreviations (NE, NW, SE, SW) help distinguish different parts of the city.

“ATL”: The Most Popular Abbreviation for Atlanta

In everyday conversation and local culture, ATL is the go-to abbreviation.

You’ll see ATL used for:

• Social media and texting: “Headed back to ATL tonight.”
• Travel and tourism: “Top things to do in ATL this weekend.”
• Local branding: Events, community groups, and small businesses often include ATL in their names.
• Sports and entertainment: Chants, hashtags, and promotions frequently refer to Atlanta as ATL.

While ATL is not an official postal abbreviation, it’s widely understood both inside and outside Georgia to mean Atlanta, Georgia.

Airport & Transportation Abbreviations for Atlanta

ATL: Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport

The airport code for Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport is also ATL.

This is the three-letter IATA airport code used on:

• Boarding passes
• Baggage tags
• Flight searches and itineraries

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, you’ll always see ATL as the airport identifier.

MARTA, GDOT, and Other Transportation References

In Atlanta transportation information:

• MARTA (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) uses Atlanta spelled out, but you may see “ATL” in rider guides or informal discussions.
• Regional agencies like GDOT (Georgia Department of Transportation) typically refer to the city as Atlanta or Metro Atlanta, not an abbreviation, in official documents.

Sports-Related Abbreviations for Atlanta Teams

If you’re following Atlanta sports, you’ll see team-specific abbreviations that tie directly to the city:

In sports graphics and score tickers, Atlanta teams are often labeled simply ATL.

Government and Legal Contexts: How Atlanta Appears

In government records, legal documents, and official forms, the city name appears as:

• Atlanta, Georgia
• Atlanta, GA

Examples where you’ll see this:

• City of Atlanta ordinances and public notices
• Fulton County or DeKalb County court documents referencing addresses in Atlanta
• State of Georgia forms asking for City and State

In these contexts:

• The city name is typically not abbreviated.
• The state is abbreviated as GA in line with postal and state standards.

When Should You Use Which Abbreviation?

Here’s a quick guide to choosing the right form of “Atlanta” in common situations:

How Atlanta Is Referred to in the Metro Area

People in the region often talk about “Metro Atlanta” or “the Atlanta area” when they mean the broader region, not just the city limits.

You may see:

• Metro ATL – especially in conversations, local events, or regional descriptions
• ATL Metro – informal, used in some business and community contexts

These are descriptive phrases, not official designations, but they’re useful to know if you’re new to the area or navigating local services.

Checking the Right Format for Official Uses in Atlanta

If you’re unsure how to abbreviate Atlanta for something Official (like a permit, voter registration, or business filing), you can usually find the correct style on forms from agencies such as:

• City of Atlanta (City Hall often lists its address as Atlanta, GA 30303)
• Fulton County Government (for many addresses in central and north Atlanta)
• DeKalb County Government (for addresses in east Atlanta neighborhoods)

Their published addresses and forms will almost always use “Atlanta, GA” as the standard format for the city and state.

In everyday Atlanta life, you’ll see both “Atlanta, GA” and “ATL” constantly. Use “Atlanta, GA” for anything official, and “ATL” when you want the casual, local shorthand that residents and visitors alike recognize instantly.