What’s the Correct Abbreviation for Atlanta, Georgia?

If you live in Atlanta, visit often, or just see the city mentioned in news, sports, or travel, you’ll run into different ways people shorten the name. From “ATL” to “A-Town” to simple “Atl.”, it can get confusing which abbreviation is correct in which context.

This guide walks through the most common Atlanta abbreviations, how they’re used locally, and what to use for mail, addresses, texting, social media, and business in and around Atlanta, Georgia.

The Main Abbreviations for Atlanta

1. ATL

“ATL” is the most widely recognized abbreviation for Atlanta, especially in:

• Air travel and airports
  • Atlanta’s airport code is ATL (Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport).
• Sports and entertainment
  • Atlanta Hawks: “ATL” on jerseys and graphics
  • Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United fans: “Rise Up ATL,” “Unite & Conquer ATL”
• Local branding and culture
  • Used in slogans, local businesses, events, and hashtags like #ATL.

If you’re talking casually about the city—especially on social media, text, or in conversation—“ATL” is the most natural abbreviation to use.

Quick rule of thumb:
Use ATL when you mean the city of Atlanta in a general or cultural sense, not a mailing address.

2. Atl. (with a period)

For more formal writing, you may sometimes see “Atl.” used as a shortened form of Atlanta, especially in:

• Older or space-limited print materials
• News tickers or compact scoreboards
• Certain directories or maps where space is tight

This style is less common in everyday use now, but if you’re writing something where traditional abbreviations are expected (like some directories), “Atl.” can be acceptable.

However, for most people in Atlanta today, ATL (all caps, no period) feels more modern and familiar, especially outside strict formal writing.

3. ATl (city + state format)

Occasionally you might see “Atl, GA” informally (for example, in text or personal notes) as shorthand for “Atlanta, Georgia.”

This isn’t an official or postal standard, but locals sometimes write:

• “Headed back to Atl, GA next week.”
• “Moving to Atl, GA for school.”

If you’re filling out any official forms, legal documents, or mail, it’s better to write “Atlanta, GA” in full and avoid this shorthand.

Official Use: How to Write Atlanta in Addresses

When you’re dealing with mailing addresses, government forms, or official documents in Atlanta, you’ll want to follow standard formats.

City and State

• City: Atlanta
• State (abbreviation):GA (Georgia’s official postal abbreviation)

Example of a proper Atlanta address format:

Full Name
123 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30303

Key points:

• Do not abbreviate Atlanta itself for mailing: write “Atlanta”, not “ATL” or “Atl.”
• Always use “GA” (not “Ga.” or “Georgia”) in the state line on envelopes for U.S. mail.

Atlanta Abbreviation vs. Georgia Abbreviation

People sometimes mix up how to shorten Atlanta and how to shorten Georgia.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

So if you’re writing something like a business address in Midtown, it should read:

Business Name
XYZ Suite
1234 Peachtree St NE
Atlanta, GA 30309

Where You’ll See “ATL” Around the City

If you’re in metro Atlanta, you’ll spot ATL everywhere. A few common examples:

At the Airport

• Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport uses the code ATL.
• Boarding passes, baggage tags, and departure boards will show ATL for Atlanta.

If you’re flying into or out of Atlanta, you’re flying to/from ATL.

On Sports and Events

Most major Atlanta sports and citywide events use ATL in:

• Logos
• Marketing and campaigns
• Hashtags and fan slogans

For instance, you might see shirts, banners, or graphics with:

• “ATL” in big bold letters
• Slogans like “ATL Forever” or “We Are ATL”

In Local Conversation

Among locals, “ATL” is part of daily speech:

• “I’m from ATL.”
• “Best tacos in ATL are on the Westside.”
• “Traffic in ATL today is no joke.”

If you’re new to the area, using “ATL” in conversation will sound completely natural.

Common Nicknames vs. Abbreviations

Atlanta has a lot of nicknames that sometimes get confused with abbreviations. These are informal and cultural, not official short forms:

• A-Town
• The A
• Hotlanta (used more by visitors than locals)
• The ATL (with “the” in front)

You might hear or see:

• “Welcome to A-Town!”
• “Born and raised in The A.”

These are nicknames, not abbreviations you’d use in an address or form. If you’re writing anything official for an Atlanta audience, stick to Atlanta or ATL (depending on context).

How to Choose the Right Abbreviation in Atlanta

Here’s a simple guide for everyday situations:

1. Mailing and Government Forms

Use:

• City: Atlanta
• State: GA

Example:

• “City: Atlanta”
• “State: GA”

✅ Correct: Atlanta, GA
❌ Incorrect: ATL, GA (for mail or legal forms)
❌ Incorrect: Atl., GA (for mail—spell city out instead)

2. Texting, Social Media, and Casual Use

Use:

• ATL for short, recognizable city reference
• The ATL / A-Town / The A if you’re leaning into local culture or slang

Examples:

• “Moving to ATL this summer.”
• “Best brunch in ATL?”
• “Love this city. The A has my heart.”

3. Business, Marketing, and Branding in Atlanta

If you’re naming or marketing something for an Atlanta audience:

• ATL works well for brands, events, and slogans.
• Use the full Atlanta, GA in official registration, legal paperwork, and addresses.

Example:

• Public-facing slogan: “Your trusted cleaners in ATL.”
• Official registration: “Business located in Atlanta, GA.”

4. Directions and Local Landmarks

When giving directions within the city, people usually use:

• The full city name once if needed (“in Atlanta”)
• Then neighborhoods or districts

Examples:

• “It’s in Downtown Atlanta, a few blocks from Peachtree Center.”
• “We’re in Midtown, just north of Downtown ATL.”

“ATL” often shows up in neighborhood-focused groups or chat threads, but not usually in formal directions or maps where the city is already clear.

Abbreviations You’ll See on Official Atlanta Documents

If you live in Atlanta, some common abbreviations you’ll encounter include:

• ATL – as part of branding or outreach (for example, city campaigns or transit promotions)
• GA – for the state of Georgia
• COA – sometimes used internally for City of Atlanta
• APS – Atlanta Public Schools
• APD – Atlanta Police Department

These aren’t all abbreviations for “Atlanta” itself, but you’ll see them often on:

• City websites
• Public notices
• Local forms and signage

For everyday purposes, the one that matters most for “Atlanta abbreviation” is still ATL—plus GA when you’re including the state.

Quick Reference: What to Use When in Atlanta

If you’re wondering what to actually write, here’s a fast cheat sheet:

• Talking about the city casually?
  → Use ATL
• Writing a postal address or filling out a form?
  → Use Atlanta, GA
• Creating a social media post or hashtag?
  → Use ATL, #ATL, or #Atlanta
• Writing a more traditional or compact line in a document?
  → You may see or use Atl., but it’s less common today
• Trying to be extra clear to non-locals?
  → Use Atlanta, Georgia in full the first time, then Atlanta or ATL afterward

Once you know which context you’re in—mailing, casual chat, branding, or official paperwork—it becomes easy to pick the right abbreviation for Atlanta. In daily life across the metro area, ATL is the go-to shorthand, while Atlanta, GA is what you’ll want for anything official.