Month Abbreviations | Complete List & Easy Guide (2025)

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Listen, I’m not kidding you. Month abbreviations seem simple until you’re reading from paper and you’re thinking of whether you’re supposed to type a period after September or not, or whether you type June at all. I’ve done it, and it’s frustrating.

After years of generating content and working with style guides, I’ve learned that how you abbreviate the months of the year in professional writing can break or make it. Let me relieve you of the headaches I’ve gone through.

Table of Contents

Why Month Names Abbreviations Matter More Than You Think

Here’s the thing. Most people think month abbreviations are just about saving space. Wrong. They’re about credibility.

When I started writing professionally, I thought abbreviated month names were optional. Then I got my first client feedback. My inconsistent month abbreviations list made me look amateur. That stung.

Standard month abbreviations aren’t just formatting rules. They’re your ticket to looking professional in academic papers, business reports, and formal communications.

Standard Month Abbreviations List: The Foundation

Every writer needs this burned into their brain. I keep this month abbreviations list on my desk because I still reference it.

The Complete List:

January = Jan.
February = Feb.
March = Mar.
April = Apr.
May = May (never abbreviated)
June = June (never abbreviated)
July = July (never abbreviated)
August = Aug.
September = Sept. (or Sep.)
October = Oct.
November = Nov.
December = Dec.

Notice something? May, June, and July stay full. Why? They’re already short. Four letter months or less don’t get abbreviated. Smart rule.

3 Letter Month Abbreviations vs Longer Ones

Here’s where it gets interesting. Most 3 letter month abbreviations work perfectly. Jan, Feb, Mar. Clean and simple.

But September breaks the pattern. You can use Sept. or Sep. Both work, but Sept. is more common in formal writing.

I learned this the hard way when an editor called me out. Pick one style and stick with it throughout your document.

Rules for Abbreviating Months in Writing

This is where most people mess up. I see it constantly.

When to Use Month Abbreviations vs Full Names

Use abbreviations when:

Writing dates with numbers (Jan. 15, 2024)
Creating tables or charts
Working with limited space
Following specific style guides

Spell out months when:

Starting a sentence
Writing formal invitations
Creating headlines
The month stands alone without a date

I made this mistake in a wedding invitation design. Used abbreviated month names when I should have spelled everything out. The client wasn’t happy.

Punctuation Rules for Month Abbreviations

This trips up everyone. Even me sometimes.

Always use periods after month abbreviations in American English. Jan., not Jan. Oct., not Oct.

Exception: If your style guide says otherwise. Some modern digital formats skip periods. But when in doubt, use the period.

Months with four or fewer letters never get abbreviated. May stays May. June stays June. July stays July. Remember this.

MLA vs APA Style Month Abbreviations: The Style Guide Wars

This is where things get spicy. Different style guides have different rules for how to abbreviate months.

MLA Style Month Abbreviation Rules

MLA keeps it simple. Abbreviate months except May, June, and July. Always use periods.

In works cited pages, MLA wants abbreviated forms for all applicable months. I’ve formatted hundreds of citations this way.

Example: Smith, John. “Writing Tips.” Journal Name, 15 Jan. 2024, pp. 10-15.

APA Style Month Abbreviation Guidelines

APA is pickier. They want full month names in reference lists. No abbreviations.

But in tables and figures? Standard month abbreviations are fine. Confusing? Yes. Important? Absolutely.

Example: Smith, J. (2024, January 15). Writing tips. Journal Name, 45(2), 10-15.

I spent my first year mixing these up. Cost me revision time on every academic paper.

Common Mistakes When Abbreviating Month Names

Let me share the mistakes I see daily. And yes, I’ve made most of them.

Incorrect Month Abbreviations to Avoid

Wrong: Janu., Febr., Marc., Septem. Right: Jan., Feb., Mar., Sept.

Wrong: may., jun., jul. Right: May, June, July (no abbreviation needed)

Wrong: Jan, Feb, Mar (no periods) Right: Jan., Feb., Mar. (with periods)

Proper Capitalization of Abbreviated Months

Always capitalize abbreviated month names. Jan., not jan.

This seems obvious, but I see lowercase month abbreviations in emails constantly. It looks sloppy.

Month Abbreviations with Periods: The Punctuation Deep Dive

Here’s what nobody tells you about punctuation in month abbreviations.

American standard: Always use periods. Jan., Feb., Mar.

International variations: Some countries skip periods. But if you’re writing for American audiences, use periods.

Digital vs print formatting: Some websites drop periods for cleaner looks. Your call, but be consistent.

I learned this when my international client questioned my period usage. Different countries, different rules.

Business Writing Month Format vs Academic Writing

Business writing tends to be more flexible with month abbreviations. Academic writing is stricter.

In business writing, you might see:

Jan 15 (no period, no comma)
15 Jan 2024 (European style)
Jan. 15, 2024 (American formal)

In academic writing, stick to your style guide religiously.

Formal Writing vs Informal Writing

Formal writing demands consistency in month abbreviation rules. Pick a style and stick to it.

Informal writing gives you flexibility. Text messages, social media, casual emails. Do whatever feels natural.

But here’s my rule: When in doubt, go formal. Better to be too professional than too casual.

When to Spell Out Month Names Completely

Some situations demand full gregorian calendar month names.

Always spell out when:

Starting sentences (“January was cold” not “Jan. was cold”)
Writing formal invitations
Creating formal announcements
Following specific brand guidelines

Never abbreviate when:

The month appears without a date
Your style guide prohibits it
You’re writing something ceremonial

I made this mistake on a company announcement. Used month shorthand when the CEO wanted full formality. Learn from my error.

Calendar Month Abbreviations in Different Contexts

Different industries have different month abbreviation preferences.

Legal documents: Usually full names Medical records: Often abbreviated for space Financial reports: Mixed, depends on format Technical documentation: Usually abbreviated

Programming contexts often use 3 letter month abbreviations without periods. Jan, Feb, Mar.

International Month Abbreviations Comparison

English month abbreviations aren’t universal. Jan. works globally, but formatting varies.

Some countries use:

DD.MM.YYYY format
No periods in abbreviations
Different abbreviated forms entirely

Know your audience. I once confused European clients with American-style date formatting.

Practical Applications and Examples

Let me give you real-world scenarios where proper month abbreviations matter.

Month Abbreviations in Business Writing

Email headers: “Meeting scheduled for Jan. 15” Reports: “Q1 data (Jan.–Mar.) shows improvement” Calendars: “Team meeting Feb. 3, 2024″

Academic Citation Month Format Examples

MLA: Author. “Title.” Journal, 15 Jan. 2024. APA: Author, A. (2024, January 15). Title. Journal. Chicago: Author. “Title.” Journal, January 15, 2024.

Each style has its rules. Learn them. Use them correctly.

Digital Formatting vs Print Formatting Differences

Digital platforms sometimes skip periods in month abbreviations. Jan, Feb, Mar.

Print formatting traditionally uses periods. Jan., Feb., Mar.

Social media writing tends toward shorter forms. Jan 15 instead of January 15, 2024.

Choose based on your platform and audience.

Seasonal vs Monthly Abbreviation Distinctions

Don’t confuse seasonal references with monthly abbreviations.

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall/Autumn, Winter (rarely abbreviated) Months: Jan., Feb., Mar., etc. (commonly abbreviated)

Different contexts, different rules.

Month Abbreviations for Social Media Writing

Social media loves short abbreviated month names. Space is premium.

Twitter/X: “Event Jan 15” (no periods, saves characters) Instagram: “#Jan2024 #NewYear” (hashtag friendly) LinkedIn: More formal, use periods. “Meeting Jan. 15“

Platform-specific formatting matters more than you think.

FAQ: Your Month Abbreviation Questions Answered

How do you properly abbreviate month names?

Use the first three letters plus a period for most months. Jan., Feb., Mar.. May, June, July stay full.

Which months should never be abbreviated?

May, June, and July. They’re already short. Four letter months or less don’t need abbreviating.

Do month abbreviations need periods?

In American English, yes. Jan., not Jan. Some digital formats skip periods, but formal writing uses them.

What’s the difference between MLA and APA month formatting?

MLA abbreviates months in citations (Jan.). APA spells them out in references (January) but allows abbreviations in tables.

When should you spell out months completely?

When starting sentences, in formal invitations, or when the month appears alone without a date.

Are there international variations in month abbreviations?

Yes. English month abbreviations work globally, but punctuation and formatting vary by country.

How do you abbreviate months in business writing?

Follow company style guides. When in doubt, use standard month abbreviations with periods. Jan. 15, 2024.

What are the most common month abbreviation mistakes?

Abbreviating May, June, July. Forgetting periods. Mixing abbreviation styles within one document.

The Bottom Line on Month Names Abbreviations

Here’s what I wish someone told me years ago. Month abbreviations aren’t just formatting rules. They’re credibility markers.

Master the basics:

Standard abbreviations for 9 months
May, June, July never abbreviated
Always use periods in formal writing
Stay consistent throughout your document

Know your context:

Academic writing follows strict style guides
Business writing allows more flexibility
Digital platforms have their own rules

Avoid common mistakes:

Don’t abbreviate short months
Don’t forget periods
Don’t mix styles

I’ve watched careers benefit from and suffer from consideration of these elements. Correct month abbreviations demonstrate that you’re interested in quality. They demonstrate that you’re professional.

Abbreviation rules for months might seem minor. They’re not. They’re just a detail of the larger picture of professional writing.

Do it right. Your readers will notice. Credibility will thank you.

And don’t you know, if you’re not sure, just write it out. Safer than using abbreviated words. You’ll learn month abbreviations later on after you’re more familiar with the rules.

Abbreviations for the standard month give you the foundation. Add to that. You’ll improve your writing for it.