Alabama Borders: States, Map & Complete Guide

US
Researched by USA Symbol Team

Fact-checked • Updated January 11, 2026

Geographic Overview

Alabama borders four states: Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The state also touches the Gulf of Mexico along its southern coast. The Chattahoochee River forms part of Alabama's eastern boundary with Georgia.

4
Bordering States
Gulf of Mexico
Ocean Border
Border Map

Alabama Border Map

Map of Alabama borders with Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico
Map showing Alabama's boundaries with Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, Mississippi, and the Gulf of Mexico.

Border Details

Explore each of Alabama's borders in detail. Click any card to learn more.

Which States Border Alabama?

Alabama shares its borders with four U.S. states: Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Each border has distinct geographic features that shape Alabama's boundaries.

North: Tennessee

Tennessee and Alabama are separated by a border located on Alabama's northern edge. The state line follows the 35th parallel north latitude, creating a straight east-west boundary across the top of Alabama.

The Alabama-Tennessee border extends for about 115 miles from Mississippi in the west to Georgia in the east. Alabama counties along this border include Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, and DeKalb. On the Tennessee side, border counties include Wayne, Lawrence, Giles, Lincoln, Franklin, Marion, Grundy, and Sequatchie.

  • Border follows the 35th parallel north
  • About 115 miles east-west
  • Alabama counties: Lauderdale, Limestone, Madison, Jackson, DeKalb

East: Georgia (Chattahoochee River Border)

Georgia and Alabama are separated by a border located on Alabama's eastern edge. The boundary includes both a straight line in the north and the Chattahoochee River in the south, creating a mixed border type.

The Alabama-Georgia border runs for about 285 miles from Tennessee in the north to Florida in the south. The Chattahoochee River forms the southern portion of this border, creating a natural boundary. Alabama counties along this border include DeKalb, Cherokee, Cleburne, Randolph, Chambers, Lee, Russell, Barbour, and Henry.

  • About 285 miles north-south
  • Chattahoochee River forms southern section
  • Alabama counties: DeKalb, Cherokee, Cleburne, Randolph, Chambers, Lee, Russell, Barbour, Henry

South: Florida

Florida and Alabama are separated by a border located on Alabama's southern edge. The state line follows the 31st parallel north latitude, creating a straight east-west boundary.

The Alabama-Florida border extends for about 110 miles from the Gulf of Mexico in the west to Georgia in the east. Alabama's coastal counties along this border include Mobile, Baldwin, and part of Escambia County. On the Florida side, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Holmes, Washington, Jackson, and Gadsden counties sit along the border.

  • Border follows the 31st parallel north
  • About 110 miles east-west
  • Alabama counties: Mobile, Baldwin

West: Mississippi

Mississippi and Alabama are separated by a border located on Alabama's western edge. The boundary runs roughly north-south and includes portions of the Tennessee River, creating a mixed border type.

The Alabama-Mississippi border extends for about 310 miles from Tennessee in the north to the Gulf of Mexico in the south. Alabama counties along this border include Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, and Mobile. The Tennessee River creates part of this boundary in the northern section.

  • About 310 miles north-south (longest border)
  • Tennessee River forms portions of border
  • Alabama counties: Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin, Marion, Lamar, Pickens, Sumter, Choctaw, Washington, Clarke, Mobile

Gulf of Mexico: Alabama's Southern Coastline

The Gulf of Mexico borders Alabama along its southern coast, providing about 53 miles of shoreline between Mississippi and Florida. While this is one of the shortest Gulf coastlines among U.S. states, Alabama's coast includes important ports like Mobile and popular beach destinations like Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. Mobile Bay, a major estuary on Alabama's coast, serves as one of the Gulf's most important shipping channels.

Key Facts & Statistics

This table shows every border Alabama shares, organized by direction and type.

Neighbor
Tennessee
Direction
North
Type
Land
Key Features
35th parallel, about 115 miles
Neighbor
Georgia
Direction
East
Type
Mixed
Key Features
About 285 miles, Chattahoochee River in south
Neighbor
Florida
Direction
South
Type
Land
Key Features
31st parallel, about 110 miles
Neighbor
Mississippi
Direction
West
Type
Mixed
Key Features
About 310 miles (longest), Tennessee River sections:
Neighbor
Gulf of Mexico
Direction
South
Type
Water
Key Features
About 53 miles of coastline
Alabama Border Facts
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Alabama borders exactly four U.S. states

Frequently Asked Questions

What borders Alabama?
Alabama borders four states and the Gulf of Mexico. Tennessee borders to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida to the south, and Mississippi to the west. The Gulf of Mexico also borders Alabama's southern coast.
What states border Alabama?
Four states border Alabama: Tennessee (north), Georgia (east), Florida (south), and Mississippi (west).
How many states border Alabama?
Four states border Alabama.
What state borders Alabama to the north?
Tennessee borders Alabama to the north. The border follows a straight line along the 35th parallel north latitude for about 115 miles.
What state borders Alabama to the east?
Georgia borders Alabama to the east. The Chattahoochee River forms the southern portion of this boundary, which extends for about 285 miles.
What state borders Alabama to the west?
Mississippi borders Alabama to the west. This is Alabama's longest border at about 310 miles, and portions include the Tennessee River.
What river borders Alabama and Georgia?
The Chattahoochee River forms part of the border between Alabama and Georgia, particularly in the southern section of their shared boundary.
Does Alabama border the ocean?
Alabama borders the Gulf of Mexico along its southern coast, with about 53 miles of shoreline. It does not border the Atlantic or Pacific oceans.

Sources & References

This article has been researched using authoritative sources to ensure accuracy and reliability.

1
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
https://www.usgs.gov/

Geographic features, river boundaries, and topographic data

2
U.S. Census Bureau
https://www.census.gov/

Official state boundary data and geographic information

3
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
https://www.noaa.gov/

Coastline measurements and Gulf of Mexico data

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