Ready to prove you're the ultimate geography guru? Dive into our quiz on the capitals of the united states and put your smarts to the test! Whether you fancy a states and capitals trivia challenge or want a thorough 50 states and their capitals test, this free quiz will sharpen your knowledge of every state seat of government. Perfect for students, travelers, or trivia buffs, our interactive states capital quiz delivers instant feedback and a progress tracker. Curious about a western us states and capitals quiz? Explore more rounds today and click start to see if you can ace it!
What is the capital of California?
Los Angeles
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Diego
Sacramento is the capital of California. It has been the state seat since 1854. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Texas?
San Antonio
Austin
Dallas
Houston
Austin became the capital of Texas in 1839 when it was moved from Houston. It is known for its vibrant music scene and the University of Texas. See details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Florida?
Tallahassee
Tampa
Orlando
Miami
Tallahassee was chosen as Florida's capital in 1824 due to its midpoint location between Pensacola and St. Augustine. It remains the state capital today. More information at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of New York?
Buffalo
Albany
New York City
Rochester
Albany became New York's capital in 1797 due to its central location and river access. It is one of the oldest chartered cities in the U.S. See Wikipedia for details.
What is the capital of Illinois?
Naperville
Chicago
Springfield
Peoria
Springfield became the capital of Illinois in 1839 after the seat moved from Vandalia. It is known as the hometown of Abraham Lincoln. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
Philadelphia
Allentown
Pittsburgh
Harrisburg
Harrisburg was selected as Pennsylvania's capital in 1812. Its central location along the Susquehanna River influenced the choice. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Ohio?
Cleveland
Columbus
Toledo
Cincinnati
Columbus became Ohio's capital in 1816, chosen for its central location. It is the largest city in the state by population. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Georgia?
Columbus
Atlanta
Augusta
Savannah
Atlanta has been Georgia's capital since 1868, after the Civil War. It grew rapidly as a railroad hub. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Michigan?
Ann Arbor
Lansing
Detroit
Grand Rapids
Lansing became Michigan's capital in 1847, moving from Detroit to a more central location. It was designed specifically to be the state seat. Details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of North Carolina?
Charlotte
Greensboro
Durham
Raleigh
Raleigh was selected as North Carolina's capital in 1792 and named after Sir Walter Raleigh. It was planned as a university town and state capital. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of New Jersey?
Jersey City
Trenton
Camden
Newark
Trenton became New Jersey's capital in 1790 because of its central location. It briefly served as the U.S. capital in 1784. More information at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Virginia?
Richmond
Roanoke
Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Richmond became Virginia's capital in 1780 during the Revolutionary War. Its location was strategic along the James River. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Washington?
Spokane
Olympia
Seattle
Tacoma
Olympia was chosen as Washington's capital in 1853 when it was part of Oregon Territory. It is located at the southern end of Puget Sound. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Colorado?
Boulder
Colorado Springs
Denver
Aurora
Denver was designated Colorado's capital in 1867 due to its growing population and central location. Its name means "green valley." See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Arizona?
Mesa
Glendale
Phoenix
Tucson
Phoenix became Arizona's capital in 1889. It was chosen for its population and transportation links. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Massachusetts?
Cambridge
Boston
Springfield
Worcester
Boston has been the capital of Massachusetts since colonial times. It was officially established as capital in 1630. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Oregon?
Portland
Eugene
Bend
Salem
Salem was chosen as Oregon's territorial capital in 1851 and retained when it became a state. Its name comes from the biblical phrase Shalom. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Tennessee?
Chattanooga
Nashville
Knoxville
Memphis
Nashville became Tennessee's capital in 1843 due to its central location. It is also known as the Music City. More info at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Missouri?
St. Louis
Jefferson City
Kansas City
Springfield
Jefferson City was selected as Missouri's capital in 1821 for its central location. It was named after President Thomas Jefferson. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Indiana?
Fort Wayne
Indianapolis
Evansville
South Bend
Indianapolis became Indiana's capital in 1825. It was founded specifically to serve as the state's political center. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Wisconsin?
Eau Claire
Madison
Milwaukee
Green Bay
Madison was selected as Wisconsin's capital in 1836 for its central location. It is named after President James Madison. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Maryland?
Silver Spring
Annapolis
Columbia
Baltimore
Annapolis has been Maryland's capital since 1694 and was briefly the U.S. capital in 1783 - 1784. It's known for the U.S. Naval Academy. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Minnesota?
Rochester
Saint Paul
Minneapolis
Duluth
Saint Paul was designated Minnesota's capital in 1849 and later paired with Minneapolis as the Twin Cities. It's located on the Mississippi River. More info at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of South Carolina?
Columbia
Charleston
Greenville
Myrtle Beach
Columbia became South Carolina's capital in 1786 for its central location. It was designed as a planned city. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Louisiana?
Shreveport
Lafayette
New Orleans
Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge became Louisiana's capital in 1849 after a fire destroyed the previous seat in Donaldsonville. Its name means 'red stick' in French. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Kentucky?
Frankfort
Bowling Green
Lexington
Louisville
Frankfort was chosen as Kentucky's capital in 1792 due to its central location on the Kentucky River. It remains one of the smallest state capitals. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Connecticut?
New Haven
Bridgeport
Stamford
Hartford
Hartford has been Connecticut's capital since 1875, moving from New Haven. It's nicknamed the 'Insurance Capital' of the world. Details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of New Hampshire?
Dover
Concord
Nashua
Manchester
Concord became New Hampshire's capital in 1808, chosen for its central location. It has hosted the state government ever since. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Maine?
Bangor
Augusta
Portland
Lewiston
Augusta was selected as Maine's capital in 1827. It sits on the Kennebec River and serves as the state's political center. More info at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Arkansas?
Little Rock
Fayetteville
Springdale
Fort Smith
Little Rock has been Arkansas's capital since 1821. It is named for a nearby rock formation on the Arkansas River. Details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Oklahoma?
Edmond
Norman
Tulsa
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City became the territorial capital in 1890 and state capital in 1907. It is the largest city in the state. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Iowa?
Davenport
Cedar Rapids
Iowa City
Des Moines
Des Moines became Iowa's capital in 1857 for its central location and river access. Its name is derived from the French for 'of the monks.' Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Mississippi?
Jackson
Gulfport
Hattiesburg
Biloxi
Jackson has been Mississippi's capital since 1822 and was named after General Andrew Jackson. It sits at the Pearl River center. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Nebraska?
Omaha
Lincoln
Kearney
Grand Island
Lincoln became Nebraska's capital in 1867, replacing Omaha. It was named after President Abraham Lincoln. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of West Virginia?
Huntington
Parkersburg
Charleston
Morgantown
Charleston has been the capital since 1885, chosen for its central location. It lies at the confluence of the Elk and Kanawha rivers. More info at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of New Mexico?
Taos
Santa Fe
Las Cruces
Albuquerque
Santa Fe became the capital in 1610, making it the oldest state capital in the U.S. It was the capital of Spanish colonial Nuevo México. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Nevada?
Carson City
Las Vegas
Reno
Sparks
Carson City was named after the explorer Kit Carson and became capital in 1864. It is located near Lake Tahoe. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Alaska?
Anchorage
Juneau
Fairbanks
Sitka
Juneau became Alaska's capital in 1906. It is accessible only by boat or plane. More details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Hawaii?
Kahului
Kailua
Hilo
Honolulu
Honolulu has been the capital since 1845 when King Kamehameha III moved the seat from Lahaina. It is the most populous U.S. capital city. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Rhode Island?
Warwick
Cranston
Newport
Providence
Providence was founded in 1636 and became the Rhode Island capital in 1900, consolidating state government there. It's one of the oldest cities in New England. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Montana?
Missoula
Bozeman
Helena
Billings
Helena became Montana's capital in 1875, during its territorial days, due to its mining boom. It retained status when Montana achieved statehood. Details at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Idaho?
Twin Falls
Nampa
Boise
Idaho Falls
Boise became the capital of Idaho Territory in 1864 and remained so at statehood in 1890. It's located along the Boise River. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of South Dakota?
Sioux Falls
Rapid City
Pierre
Aberdeen
Pierre was chosen as capital in 1889 for its central location along the Missouri River. It remains one of the smallest U.S. capitals by population. More at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of North Dakota?
Minot
Grand Forks
Fargo
Bismarck
Bismarck became Dakota Territory's capital in 1883 and retained that status for North Dakota in 1889. It's named after Otto von Bismarck. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Delaware?
Dover
Wilmington
Newark
Middletown
Dover became Delaware's capital in 1777, replacing New Castle during the Revolutionary War. It sits on the St. Jones River. More info at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Vermont?
Burlington
Rutland
Montpelier
Brattleboro
Montpelier became Vermont's capital in 1805. It is the least populous state capital in the U.S. Learn more at Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Kansas?
Wichita
Kansas City
Topeka
Lawrence
Topeka became Kansas's capital in 1861 when it joined the Union. Its name means 'a good place to dig potatoes' in the local Kansa language. See Wikipedia.
What is the capital of Utah?
Salt Lake City
St. George
Ogden
Provo
Salt Lake City was founded by Mormon pioneers in 1847 and became Utah's capital in 1856. It sits beside the Great Salt Lake. More at Wikipedia.
Which U.S. state capital is the highest in elevation?
Denver, Colorado
Phoenix, Arizona
Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cheyenne, Wyoming
Santa Fe sits at about 7,199 feet above sea level, making it the highest state capital. Denver is known as the 'Mile High City' but is lower. More details at Wikipedia.
Which U.S. state capital is the northernmost?
Helena, Montana
St. Paul, Minnesota
Bismarck, North Dakota
Juneau, Alaska
Juneau lies at 58°18?N, making it the northernmost state capital. It is farther north than any other U.S. capital. See Wikipedia.
Which state capital is the least populous?
Pierre, South Dakota
Frankfort, Kentucky
Montpelier, Vermont
Dover, Delaware
Montpelier has fewer than 8,000 residents, making it the least populous state capital. Pierre and Frankfort have more residents. More at Wikipedia.
Which state capital is the southernmost?
Austin, Texas
Honolulu, Hawaii
Tallahassee, Florida
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Honolulu is located at about 21°18?N, making it the southernmost U.S. state capital. Puerto Rico is a territory, not a state. See Wikipedia.
Which U.S. state capital is located on an island?
Honolulu, Hawaii
Providence, Rhode Island
Juneau, Alaska
Annapolis, Maryland
Juneau is on the mainland panhandle but accessible only by water or air, and parts lie on Douglas Island. Honolulu is on O?ahu but is not termed an island city. More info at Wikipedia.
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Score15/53
Easy5/16
Medium4/16
Hard5/16
Expert1/5
AI Study Notes
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Study Outcomes
Recall State Capitals -
Apply knowledge from the quiz on the capitals of the United States to pinpoint the capital city of any of the 50 states with confidence.
Visualize Geographic Locations -
Locate each state capital on a map, strengthening your geographic literacy and spatial recognition skills.
Assess Your Knowledge -
Use instant feedback from the 50 states and their capitals test to identify areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
Master Regional Patterns -
Analyze capitals by region, including the western US states and capitals quiz, to recognize naming patterns and regional associations.
Retain Through Trivia -
Engage with states and capitals trivia questions to reinforce memory retention and make learning interactive and fun.
Prepare for Exams and Quizzes -
Build a solid foundation for academic assessments, civic quizzes, and competitive trivia by mastering all 50 state capitals.
Cheat Sheet
Regional Chunking Strategy -
Divide the US into regions (e.g., New England, Southeast, Midwest, West) and learn the capitals within each group. For example, tackle New England first by pairing Maine - Augusta, Vermont - Montpelier, and New Hampshire - Concord. This method is recommended by National Geographic for efficient retention in geography learning.
Mnemonic Memory Tricks -
Create vivid associations or rhymes to link states and capitals, like "Santa Fe's café is in New Mexico's bay" for Santa Fe, New Mexico. Another example: imagine a "Democratic spring" shower in Dover, Delaware to remember Dover. These memory aids are rooted in cognitive research from leading universities to boost recall.
Blank Map Labeling -
Use a printable or digital blank US map and regularly label each capital to strengthen visual recall. The University of Texas's map skills guide suggests doing this drill weekly for spatial learning gains. Visual mapping is a key study tip in many 50 states and their capitals test preparation guides.
Spaced Repetition & Flashcards -
Employ flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet for spaced repetition, quizzing yourself on "states and capitals trivia" at increasing intervals. Research from spaced-repetition pioneers shows this technique significantly reduces forgetting. Tag cards by region or difficulty to track progress efficiently.
Timed Practice Quizzes -
Regularly challenge yourself with a free "quiz on the capitals of the United States" or a focused "western US states and capitals quiz" for speed and accuracy. Simulated timed tests, as advocated by educational sites, build test-taking stamina and highlight weak spots. Instant feedback keeps motivation high and boosts confidence when you ace the 50 states and their capitals test.
