Periods (Full Stops) in Titles like Mr. and Mrs.

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The Quick Answer

Should you write "Mr Smith" or "Mr. Smith?
Should you write "Dr Jones" or "Dr. Jones?

If you're following US convention, put a period (full stop) after the title (known as a contraction). For example:

Mrs., Mr., Ms., Dr., Prof., Capt., Gen., Sen., Rev., Hon., St.

If you're following UK convention, you have a choice whether to use a period or not. Even though lots of Brits now follow the US style, most adhere to the following ruling:

If the last letter of a contraction is the same as the last letter of the whole word, then don't use a period. For example:

Mister > Mr
Professor > Prof.

Here's a quirk: Don't use a period with "Miss" as it's not an abbreviation.

periods (full stops) in titles (Mr Mrs Dr Prof)

Periods in Titles

(For those following US conventions)

If you have a contraction that is a compressed version of a word (i.e., not the kind with an apostrophe like "can't," "isn't"), then put a period after it. For example:

Mr. (contraction of Mister)
Revd. (contraction of Reverend)
Rev. (also a contraction of Reverend)
para. (contraction of paragraph)
Dr. (contraction of Doctor)
The theory is supported by Prof. Munro and Mr Jones.

Full Stops in Titles

(For those following UK conventions)

Brits are increasingly adopting the US convention. However, most still adhere to the following ruling: Only use a full stop (period) at the end of a contraction if its last letter is different from the last letter of the whole word. For example:

Mr (contraction of Mister)
Revd (contraction of Reverend)
Rev. (also a contraction of Reverend)
para. (contraction of paragraph)
paras (contraction of paragraphs)
Dr. (contraction of Doctor)
para (contraction of paragraph)
The theory is supported by Prof. Munro and Mr Jones.

Do You Use a Period with "Miss"?

Do not use a period with "Miss," which is not an abbreviation. For example:

I will attend with Prof. Plum and Miss Scarlet.

Do You Use a Period with "Ms"?

A real oddity is the title "Ms," which isn't a word or an abbreviation. Americans should use a period. Brits shouldn't. They are the styles deemed least likely to annoy your readers: