Nepal Country Code (+977): Complete Guide
Complete guide to Nepal country code +977. Learn how to dial Nepal from abroad, understand area codes, mobile formats, and save money on international calls.
Nepal Country Code (+977): Complete Guide
Quick Answer
+977 is the country code for Nepal. From abroad, dial 00 977 (011 977 from the US and Canada), then the number without its leading 0: a Kathmandu landline is +977 1 XXXXXXX and a mobile is +977 98X XXX XXXX. Written as 0977 or 00977, it is the same country code with an international prefix in front, not an area code.
This guide covers how to dial Nepal correctly, area codes, mobile number formats, carrier prefixes and coverage, emergency numbers, and the cheapest ways to call Nepal from abroad.
How to Dial Nepal from Abroad
International Dialing Format
[Exit Code] + 977 + (Area Code) + Phone NumberStep 1: Dial Your Country's Exit Code
- Most countries: 00
- From USA/Canada: 011
- From mobile phones: + (plus sign) - works worldwide
Step 2: Dial "977" (Nepal Country Code)
After your exit code, always dial 977 for Nepal
Step 3: Dial the Area Code & Local Number
Remember to drop the leading '0' from area codes when dialing from abroad. Inside Nepal, landline numbers are dialed as 0 + area code + local number.
๐ Example: Calling Kathmandu
๐บ๐ธ From USA:
011 + 977 + 1 + local numberUS exit code (011) + Nepal code (977)
๐ฑ From Any Mobile:
+977 + 1 + local numberUse + instead of exit code (works everywhere)
Major Nepal Area Codes
| Area Code | City / Region |
|---|---|
| 1 | Kathmandu Valley (Kathmandu, Lalitpur, Bhaktapur) |
| 61 | Pokhara (Gandaki province) |
| 21 | Biratnagar (Koshi province) |
| 51 | Birgunj (Madhesh province) |
| 25 | Dharan (Koshi province) |
| 71 | Butwal (Lumbini province) |
| 57 | Hetauda (Bagmati province) |
| 41 | Janakpur (Madhesh province) |
| 81 | Nepalgunj (Lumbini province) |
| 56 | Bharatpur (Chitwan) |
Mobile Numbers in Nepal
๐ฑ Nepal Mobile Number Format
Nepali mobile numbers are 10 digits long (starting with 98X or 97X) and have no leading 0, so from abroad you dial +977 followed by all 10 digits:
+977 98X XXX XXXXThe first three digits after +977 identify the carrier (see table below).
Mobile Carriers in Nepal
Nepal has two active mobile operators: Nepal Telecom, the market leader, and Ncell. A third operator, Smart Telecom, lost its licence in 2023. Coverage quality varies significantly between the Kathmandu Valley and remote mountain areas.
| Carrier | Market Share | Mobile Prefixes | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ncell | ~45% | 980, 981, 982 | Second-largest operator. Strong 4G coverage in cities. Originally Mero Mobile; Axiata (Malaysia) sold its stake in December 2023 to companies owned by Nepali-origin businessman Satish Lal Acharya. |
| Nepal Telecom (NTC) | ~55% | 984, 985, 986, 974, 975, 976 | Largest by subscribers; majority state-owned. Best coverage in rural and mountainous regions. Also operates landlines. |
| Smart Telecom | Licence revoked | 961, 962, 988 | The regulator revoked Smart's licence in April 2023 over unpaid dues. Old Smart numbers may not connect; ask your contact for an NTC or Ncell number. |
Special & Emergency Numbers in Nepal
| Number | Service |
|---|---|
| 100 | Police |
| 101 | Fire Department |
| 102 | Ambulance |
| 103 | Traffic Police |
| 1144 | Tourist Police |
| 197 | Directory Enquiries (NTC) |
Best Times to Call Nepal
Nepal uses Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45) year-round with no daylight saving time. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries with a 45-minute time zone offset, which can make scheduling calls a bit tricky.
From the USA (EST/EDT)
Nepal is 10 hours 45 minutes ahead of US Eastern Time (9h 45m during EDT). If it is 8:00 AM in New York, it is 6:45 PM in Kathmandu. Best window: 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM ET (5:45 PM - 7:45 PM in Nepal).
From the UK (GMT/BST)
Nepal is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of GMT (4h 45m during BST). If it is 1:00 PM in London, it is 6:45 PM in Kathmandu. Best window: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM UK time (5:45 PM - 9:45 PM in Nepal).
In April 2026, during a fuel-supply crisis, Nepal moved government offices and schools to a Saturday and Sunday weekend, working 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM NPT, Monday to Friday. A similar two-day weekend in 2022 was later reversed, so check before assuming an office is closed on Sunday. Saturday is the traditional weekly holiday, and many private businesses open on Sunday.
Country Information
Troubleshooting: Common Issues Calling Nepal
1. Drop the Leading "0" When Dialing from Abroad
Inside Nepal, you dial 01-XXXXXXX for Kathmandu or 061-XXXXXX for Pokhara. When calling from abroad, you must remove that leading 0. The correct format is +977 1-XXXXXXX (Kathmandu) or +977 61-XXXXXX (Pokhara).
2. Nepal's Unusual UTC+5:45 Time Zone
Nepal is one of only a few countries with a 45-minute time zone offset. Many world clocks and scheduling apps round to the nearest half hour, which can cause confusion. Always double-check the exact time in Nepal before calling. Nepal does not observe daylight saving time, so the offset from your local time changes when your country adjusts clocks.
3. Poor Connectivity in Mountain / Trekking Areas
If you are trying to reach someone trekking in the Himalayas (Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit, Langtang, etc.), mobile coverage is sparse or nonexistent above certain altitudes. NTC (Nepal Telecom) generally has better coverage in remote areas than Ncell. Some tea houses along popular trekking routes offer satellite-based Wi-Fi for a fee, but voice calls may not be possible.
4. Load Shedding May Affect Landline Availability
Nepal has historically experienced frequent power outages (load shedding). While the situation has improved significantly since 2018, some areas still face intermittent power cuts. Landline phones that require external power (cordless phones, PBX systems) may be unreachable during outages. Mobile networks with battery-backed towers are more reliable during power cuts.
5. NTC vs Ncell Coverage Varies by Region
In the Kathmandu Valley and major Terai cities, both Ncell and NTC offer strong coverage. In rural hill districts and mountain areas, NTC (the state-owned operator) tends to have significantly better coverage. If you cannot reach someone on one network, it may be a coverage gap specific to their carrier.
Cheapest Ways to Call Nepal
The cheapest way to call Nepal is a free app-to-app call on WhatsApp, Viber or IMO, if your contact has the app and data. To call a regular +977 number, Google Voice has the lowest per-minute rate from the US ($0.17/min to mobiles, $0.15/min to landlines as of October 2026), but it needs a US Google Voice account. BubblyPhone costs more per minute and works in any browser with no app, no Google account and no US number.
1. WhatsApp, Viber, IMO
Rate: FREE
Best For: Calling friends and family who have the app
- โFree voice and video calls
- โViber is especially popular in Nepal
- โBoth parties need the app installed
- โCannot call landlines or businesses
2. BubblyPhone
Rate: $0.46-0.54/min to Nepali mobiles; $0.59/min to most landlines and $0.68/min to Kathmandu landlines (as of October 2026)
Best For: Calling any Nepal number (business, landline, mobile)
- โNo subscription; billed per started minute, no connection fee, unanswered calls are free
- โWorks from browser on any device (no app needed)
- โNo Google account or US phone number needed
- โReaches both NTC and Ncell numbers reliably
โ ๏ธ Before you dial: Check your mobile plan's international rate for Nepal before calling +977 directly. Pay-per-minute international rates on many plans are far higher than app or internet calling rates, unless you have an international add-on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Nepal country code?
The Nepal country code is +977. You must dial this code before any Nepal phone number when calling from abroad.
How do I call Nepal from my mobile phone?
From any mobile phone worldwide, dial: +977 (area code) (phone number). The + symbol replaces your country's exit code.
What's the cheapest way to call Nepal?
Free app-to-app calls on WhatsApp, Viber or IMO are the cheapest, if both people have the app. For a regular phone number, Google Voice charges $0.17/min to Nepali mobiles but needs a US account. BubblyPhone charges $0.46-0.54/min to mobiles (as of October 2026) and works in any browser with no app or Google account.
What time zone is Nepal in?
Nepal uses Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45) all year, with no daylight saving time. It is 10 hours 45 minutes ahead of US Eastern Standard Time (9h 45m during EDT) and 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of UK GMT.
Why is Nepal's time zone UTC+5:45?
Nepal adopted the UTC+5:45 offset to distinguish itself from India (UTC+5:30) and reflect its geographic position. The time zone is based on the meridian of Mount Gaurishankar (86.25 degrees East), and the 15-minute difference from India is a matter of national identity. Nepal is one of only a handful of countries worldwide that uses a 45-minute offset.
Can I call someone trekking in Nepal?
It depends on the route and altitude. Popular trails like the Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp trek have spotty mobile coverage at lower elevations (NTC works better than Ncell in mountains). Above roughly 4,000 meters, coverage is generally unavailable. Some lodges offer satellite Wi-Fi, so your contact may be reachable via WhatsApp or Viber messaging instead of a phone call.
What carriers work best in Kathmandu?
Both Ncell and Nepal Telecom (NTC) have excellent 4G coverage throughout the Kathmandu Valley, including Lalitpur and Bhaktapur. NTC is the more reliable choice if your contact also travels to rural areas. Smart Telecom, the former third operator, lost its licence in 2023.
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