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Random US State Generator

Generate random US states for testing, forms, and data validation with capitals and abbreviations

[ US State Generator - Quick Summary ]

What: Generate random US states with names, abbreviations, and capitals for all 50 states.

When to use: Form testing, address validation, dropdown population, geographic data simulation, educational apps.

Example: California (CA) - Sacramento, Texas (TX) - Austin, New York (NY) - Albany

Security: Official US state data - accurate names, postal abbreviations, and state capitals.

Our random US state generator helps you generate random US states for testing, forms, and data validation with capitals and abbreviations. Generate-Random.org provides a free US state generator that creates random state selections with official postal abbreviations and state capitals. This state picker tool uses cryptographically secure random number generation for fair selection—perfect for creating test data, form validation, address systems, and geographic testing. Generate up to 50 states instantly with multiple format options including state names, abbreviations, capitals, and full details. Choose from various output formats like name only, abbreviation only, or complete state information. No signup required, completely free.

What is a US State Generator?

A US State Generator creates random selections from all 50 United States with official postal abbreviations and state capitals. Our generator uses cryptographically secure algorithms to ensure truly random state selection that is fair and unbiased across all states.

US state data is essential for address validation, form testing, and geographic data systems. Each state has an official two-letter postal abbreviation (e.g., CA for California) and a capital city. Our generator provides complete state information in multiple formats. For complete address testing, try our address generator or ZIP code generator.

US State Generator Configuration Options

Count (1-50 States)

Generate between 1 and 50 US states in a single batch. Each state is selected randomly from all 50 US states with optional duplicate prevention for unique state selections.

Include Abbreviation

Toggle postal abbreviations: Show or hide the official two-letter postal abbreviation (e.g., CA, TX, NY). Abbreviations follow USPS standards and are useful for form validation and database storage.

Include Capital

Toggle state capitals: Show or hide the state capital city (e.g., Sacramento, Austin, Albany). Capitals are useful for geographic education, testing, and complete state information.

Format Selection (4 Formats)

Choose from 4 output formats: Name only (California), Abbreviation only (CA), Name with abbreviation (California (CA)), or Full details (California (CA) - Sacramento). Each format is optimized for different use cases.

How to Generate Random US States

[STEP 1] Set Count

Choose how many states to generate (1-50). For unique selections without duplicates, use the unique option to ensure each state appears only once.

[STEP 1] Configure Options

Toggle abbreviations and capitals based on your needs. Select the output format that best matches your use case (name only, abbreviation only, or full details).

[STEP 1] Select Format

Choose the display format: Name only for simple state names, Abbreviation only for postal codes, or Full details for complete state information with capitals.

[STEP 1] Generate & Export

Click generate and copy individual states or export all to TXT, CSV, or JSON format for bulk use.

Common Use Cases for Random US States

  • _ Form Testing - Test address forms, dropdown menus, and state selection inputs with random state data
  • _ Address Validation - Validate state fields in address validation systems and shipping forms
  • _ Geographic Testing - Test location-based features, regional settings, and geographic filters
  • _ Database Population - Populate test databases with realistic US state data for development and QA
  • _ Educational Apps - Create geography quizzes, state learning tools, and educational games
  • _ Random Selection - Fair random selection for contests, games, or state-based decisions

Technical Details: US State Generation Algorithm

Our US state generator employs cryptographically secure random selection to choose states from all 50 US states with official postal abbreviations and capitals. The system uses accurate USPS data and supports multiple output formats.

// US State Data Structure (All 50 States)

States Array:
[
  { name: "Alabama", abbreviation: "AL", capital: "Montgomery" },
  { name: "Alaska", abbreviation: "AK", capital: "Juneau" },
  { name: "Arizona", abbreviation: "AZ", capital: "Phoenix" },
  { name: "Arkansas", abbreviation: "AR", capital: "Little Rock" },
  { name: "California", abbreviation: "CA", capital: "Sacramento" },
  { name: "Colorado", abbreviation: "CO", capital: "Denver" },
  // ... all 50 states with official data
]

// Output Format Options

Format: Name Only
Output: California, Texas, New York
Use Case: Simple state lists, dropdown population

Format: Abbreviation Only
Output: CA, TX, NY
Use Case: Postal codes, database storage, compact display

Format: Name with Abbreviation
Output: California (CA), Texas (TX), New York (NY)
Use Case: User-friendly display with postal codes

Format: Full Details
Output: California (CA) - Sacramento, Texas (TX) - Austin
Use Case: Complete state information, educational purposes

// Generation Algorithm

Algorithm: CSPRNG-Based Selection
For each state request:
  1. Use cryptographically secure random selection
  2. Select state from all 50 US states
  3. Optional: Prevent duplicates for unique selection
  4. Apply format based on user configuration:
     - Include/exclude abbreviation
     - Include/exclude capital
     - Apply selected format template
  5. Return formatted state data

Security: NIST SP 800-90A compliant CSPRNG
Data Source: Official USPS state abbreviations
Capital Data: Official state capitals (verified)

API Access for Developers

GET https://generate-random.org/api/v1/generate/us-states
VIEW FULL API DOCUMENTATION →

Frequently Asked Questions

What US state formats are available? ▶
We offer 4 output formats: Name only (California), Abbreviation only (CA), Name with abbreviation (California (CA)), and Full details (California (CA) - Sacramento). Each format is optimized for different use cases.
Are the state abbreviations official? ▶
Yes! All state abbreviations are official two-letter USPS postal abbreviations. These are the standard codes used for mail delivery, addresses, and official documentation in the United States.
Can I generate states without duplicates? ▶
Yes! You can generate up to 50 unique states without duplicates. This ensures each state appears only once in your selection, perfect for fair random selection or complete state coverage.
How many US states can I generate? ▶
You can generate between 1 and 50 states in a single batch. Since there are 50 US states total, generating 50 with unique selection will give you all states in random order.
How are states selected randomly? ▶
Our generator uses PHP's random_int() function with CSPRNG (Cryptographically Secure Pseudo-Random Number Generator) for all state selections. This ensures truly random and fair selection across all 50 states.

[ HOW TO CITE THIS PAGE ]

APA Style:
Generate-Random.org. (2025). Random US State Generator. Retrieved from https://generate-random.org/us-states
Web Citation:
Random US State Generator - Generate-Random.org (https://generate-random.org/us-states)