Articles > Initials

You’d think that a post covering initials would be about seven words long, but, as always, Chicago has a lot to say.

Chicago: Periods, space! Except when . . . crap.

• L. R. R. Hood (10.12)
• FDR (initials used alone, 8.4)
• MJ (entire name abbreviated, 10.12)
• President O. (name abbreviated, 7.62)
• J.-P. Sartre (hyphenated name, 8.7)
• H.D. (special case for pen name, 14.73)

AP (p. 142): Periods, no space. I win!

• L.J. Horner

Chicago separates initials with a space, like you would with a spelled-out name.

Here’s a tip on how to remember this basic distinction (space or no space):

• Chicago separates initials with a space, like you would with a spelled-out name.
• Due to the nature of newspapers and web pages, AP runs initials together to prevent them from accidentally breaking across two lines.

For Chicago style, to keep the initials together (with space intact), either manually insert a line break before or after the set of initials—preferably before, to keep the entire name together—or use a nonbreaking space between the letters.

AP runs initials together to prevent them from accidentally breaking across two lines.

At least AP and Chicago are both in agreement about not dividing initials, so let’s end on that high note.