How Many States Can You Identify on a Completely Blank Map?

Sajid Karimee
Jun 1
2 min read

Think you know U.S. geography? It’s one thing to list all 50 states—but could you point them out on a blank map with no names, no borders, and no hints?

This challenge has stumped even the most patriotic Americans. It’s easy to name states like California, Texas, or Florida—but what about the ones that don’t get as much attention? Can you confidently pick out Iowa, Delaware, or New Hampshire?

Why This Quiz Is Trickier Than You Think

Most of us remember filling out blank U.S. maps in school, but without regular practice, it’s surprisingly easy to forget the layout. In fact, in one national survey, only 1 in 4 adults could correctly identify all 50 states on an unlabeled map.

The challenge isn’t just naming the states—it’s placing them. Borders between states like Kansas and Nebraska, or Mississippi and Alabama, can look confusingly similar without names to guide you.

Tips to Help You Nail It

Here are some quick tricks to help you remember tricky state locations:

Start with the corners: Alaska and Hawaii (off the mainland), Florida (southeast), and Washington (northwest) are easy anchors.
Find the big ones: States like Texas, California, and Montana take up lots of space and are easier to spot.
Use the Great Lakes: Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Illinois all border the lakes, giving clues to their placement.
Remember shapes: Some states have unique outlines—like Oklahoma’s panhandle or West Virginia’s jagged edges.

Take the Challenge Yourself

Want to test your knowledge? Print a blank U.S. map or try an online quiz that gives you 50 empty outlines and challenges you to name each one. Time yourself and see how many you can correctly label.

Even if you miss a few, don’t worry—this is a fun and educational way to brush up on geography. After all, knowing where each state is located helps us better understand regional culture, politics, and history.