Writing & StyleStyle guide
Co. Abbreviation and Punctuation
Co. is a written abbreviation for “company,” while dictionaries also show unpunctuated Co in some varieties and names. Official company styling and house style should control the final form.
“Co.” means “company.” Preserve the organization’s official name; outside a name, follow the relevant house style on whether to use the period.
Key details
Core IssueCo./Co is a written abbreviation for company, with punctuation varying by source, variety, official name, and style.
Phrase Rolecompany-name abbreviation
Registerprofessional and business writing
Important caveats
Name Boundary
When Co/Co. is part of an official company name, reproduce the organization’s published styling rather than normalizing it.
Further guidance
Meaning
Cambridge records Co. as an abbreviation for company and also shows Co without a period in Learner’s Dictionary examples.
Sources and evidence
Sources are shown with the role they play in this guide. Historical or style-sensitive claims are kept within the evidence boundary described above.
- Co. — Cambridge Dictionary (opens in a new tab)Cambridge Dictionary · Company abbreviation and documented punctuation variants