# Color a whole state; style its border and name Official GBMaps guide for the classic map maker. VectorMaps has a different interface. Source: https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels Updated: 2026-10-03 On individual or combined US ZIP and county maps, the state is the larger area layer. You can fill all the detail areas in a state with one click, then change individual ZIPs or counties. State outlines and large state names have their own controls. ![Map details with independent States and Counties rows, state line width, state colors and state name size](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-state-details-20261003.jpg) State boundaries and names are independent of the smaller boundaries. State appearance controls the line color and large state names. ## 1. Choose your territory first Add a name and color under START HERE, then click that name in the map legend to select it. A state does not get its own special legend: it uses your normal team or territory name. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--legend) ## 2. Switch the coloring button to States The button above the map shows what the next click will color. Click it to switch between Colour: States and Colour: ZIP codes or Colour: Counties. In States mode, click anywhere inside the state to assign all its ZIPs or counties. In a combined map, neighboring states are left alone. The choice stays the same when you zoom. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--mode) ## 3. Add individual exceptions afterwards Switch back to ZIP codes or Counties, select another legend color and click the smaller areas you want to change. This is a quick way to make one broad territory with a few local exceptions. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--exceptions) ## 4. Check before replacing a mixed state If the state already contains a mixture of colored and uncolored areas, or different territory colors, the tool asks before replacing them. Choose Colour whole state to apply your selected color, or Keep existing colours to cancel. Undo restores the complete previous arrangement in one step. Clicking a uniformly colored state again with the same selected color clears it. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--replace) ## 5. Make state lines stronger than local lines Open Map details, then Borders & labels. The States row has its own Borders switch and Width choice. The ZIP codes or Counties row below controls the finer boundaries independently. For example, use a stronger state line and finer county lines. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--borders) ## 6. Choose large state names and their style Use the States Labels checkbox for state names. In State appearance, change the name color, name size and state border color. These settings work on single-state and combined maps. They do not change the size or color of the smaller ZIP/county labels. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--names) ## 7. Keep the result when you save With active access, save the map to retain your state settings, chosen coloring mode and detailed territory assignments. The state lines and names are included in the normal printable output. On Google shows the colored ZIPs/counties geographically; its Polygon labels switch is separate from the printed state names. Older saved maps open with default state styling until you change and save it. [Open this step](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--keep) ### What this looks like Real US map controls and examples. Choose View larger to see the details. ![One click colors a whole state — actual GBMaps message](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-state-example-20261003.jpg?v=1791039852) [**One click colors a whole state**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--mode) Kansas is assigned to the selected legend territory. The other states are unchanged. ![Check before replacing existing colors — actual GBMaps message](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/help/images/usa-state-confirm-20261003.jpg?v=1791039852) [**Check before replacing existing colors**](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-state-levels#usa-state-levels--replace) Keep existing colours cancels. Colour whole state replaces the mixture, with Undo available afterwards. ## Related guides - [Make a US sales or service territory map](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-workflow) - [US map details: state names, ZIPs, counties and places](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-zip-details) - [Combine US states: ZIP or county maps](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-combine) - [USA county maps: choose a state](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=usa-county-maps) - [START HERE: names, colours & territories](https://www.gbmaps.com/mcs/map-help.php?topic=colouring)