The +977 country code is for Nepal. Whether you're calling Kathmandu, Pokhara, Biratnagar, or a village in the hills, +977 is the prefix you need to reach Nepal's roughly 30 million people.
Quick answer: The country code +977 is for Nepal. Mobile numbers have 10 digits after +977 (e.g.,
+977 98XX XXX XXX). Kathmandu landlines have 8 digits after +977 (e.g.,+977 1 XXX XXXX).
How to call Nepal: quick reference
The format depends on where you're calling from. Nepal uses a domestic trunk prefix of 0, which you drop when dialing internationally.
| Calling from | Dialing format |
|---|---|
| US/Canada mobile | +977 [number without leading 0] |
| US/Canada landline | 011-977-[number without leading 0] |
| United Kingdom (UK) | 00-977-[number without leading 0] |
| Australia | 0011-977-[number without leading 0] |
| Qatar | 00-977-[number without leading 0] |
| UAE | 00-977-[number without leading 0] |
| Malaysia | 00-977-[number without leading 0] |
Nepal has one of the world's largest migrant worker populations relative to its size. Millions of Nepalis work in Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and South Korea. Remittances account for roughly a quarter of Nepal's GDP, which means calls between these countries and Nepal are extremely common.
Understanding Nepali phone numbers
Nepali phone numbers are not a uniform length. Mobile numbers are 10 digits after +977, while landlines are 8 digits. Within Nepal, people add a 0 before the number. Drop that 0 when calling from abroad.
Mobile numbers
Nepal has two main mobile carriers and a smaller third player:
- Nepal Telecom (NTC): The state-owned carrier. Mobile numbers start with 984, 985, or 986. NTC also operates CDMA numbers starting with 974 and 975.
- Ncell: The largest private carrier (owned by Axiata Group). Numbers start with 980, 981, or 982.
- Smart Telecom: A smaller carrier with numbers starting with 961-969. Coverage is more limited.
Most Nepali numbers you'll encounter will be NTC (984/985/986) or Ncell (980/981/982). Many people carry dual SIM phones with one of each to get the best coverage and rates.
- Length: 10 digits after +977.
- Example: Domestic 098-4123-4567 becomes
+977 984 123 4567internationally.
Landline numbers (fixed line)
Nepali landlines use area codes of varying length:
- Kathmandu Valley: Area code 1 (single digit) + 7-digit local number = 8 digits after +977.
- Other cities: 2-digit area code + 6-digit local number = 8 digits after +977.
- Trunk prefix: Drop the leading 0 when dialing from abroad.
Fixed-line subscriptions are low in Nepal. Mobile is how most people communicate. In rural areas, a mobile phone may be the only telecommunications option available.
Nepal area codes reference table
Kathmandu Valley has the shortest area code (just 1), reflecting its importance as the capital and the country's main commercial hub. All other cities use 2-digit codes.
| City | Area code | International format |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu Valley | 1 | +977 1 XXX XXXX |
| Pokhara | 61 | +977 61 XXX XXX |
| Biratnagar | 21 | +977 21 XXX XXX |
| Birgunj | 51 | +977 51 XXX XXX |
| Bharatpur (Chitwan) | 56 | +977 56 XXX XXX |
| Dharan | 25 | +977 25 XXX XXX |
| Butwal | 71 | +977 71 XXX XXX |
| Nepalgunj | 81 | +977 81 XXX XXX |
| Janakpur | 41 | +977 41 XXX XXX |
| Dhangadhi | 91 | +977 91 XXX XXX |
Nepal's unusual time zone: UTC+5:45
Nepal Standard Time (NPT) is UTC+5:45, which makes it one of only a handful of countries with a 45-minute offset. It's 15 minutes ahead of India (IST, UTC+5:30) and 45 minutes ahead of Pakistan (PKT, UTC+5:00).
This matters when scheduling calls. If someone in New York says "call me at 8 AM my time," that's 6:45 PM in Kathmandu (during Eastern Standard Time). The 45-minute offset catches people off guard if they're used to rounding to the nearest hour.
Don't confuse +977 with +976
Nepal is +977. Mongolia is +976. One digit off, and you'll be calling Ulaanbaatar instead of Kathmandu. Double-check before dialing.
| Code | Country | Region |
|---|---|---|
| +977 | Nepal | South Asia |
| +976 | Mongolia | East Asia |
The migrant worker connection
Nepal's economy depends heavily on remittances from workers abroad. The Nepal Rastra Bank reported that remittances made up about 23% of GDP in recent years. The main destination countries for Nepali workers are Qatar, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and South Korea (through the Employment Permit System).
For families back home, a phone call from abroad is often the only regular contact they have. This is why calls between Gulf states and Nepal are among the most common international calling routes for Nepali numbers. If you're calling a Nepali worker in Qatar, you dial +977 to reach their family in Nepal, or the worker might call home from a Qatari number (+974) to a +977 number.
Internet and calling apps
Internet infrastructure in Nepal has improved significantly, especially in cities. 4G coverage is available in Kathmandu, Pokhara, and other urban centres. In rural and mountainous areas, connectivity drops off quickly.
Viber is extremely popular in Nepal -- arguably more so than in most countries. It became the default messaging and calling app years ago, and most Nepalis who have smartphones use Viber daily. WhatsApp is also common, especially among younger users and those with contacts in India.
Facebook Messenger has a significant user base as well, since Facebook is heavily used across Nepal.
For calls to rural areas or older family members who rely on basic phones, a regular PSTN call to their +977 number is the most reliable option. App-based calls depend on data coverage, which is patchy in the hills and mountains.
eSewa and mobile payments
Nepal has its own mobile payment ecosystem. eSewa, launched in 2009, was the first mobile wallet in Nepal and remains the most widely used. Khalti is another popular option. These services tie directly to phone numbers, similar to M-Pesa in Kenya or Telebirr in Ethiopia.
Because a phone number doubles as a financial account for many Nepalis, people tend to keep the same number for years. If you have a Nepali contact's number from a few years ago, it's likely still active.
Mobile vs. landline: how to tell the difference
You can usually tell whether a +977 number is mobile or landline by two things: the length and the starting digits.
- 10 digits after +977: Almost certainly a mobile number. Starts with 98, 97, 96, or 94.
- 8 digits after +977: A landline number. Starts with 1 (Kathmandu) or a 2-digit area code.
International calling rates to Nepali mobiles are typically higher than to landlines.
Dialing examples
Here are practical examples for calling different types of Nepali numbers:
Example 1: Calling a Kathmandu landline from the US
- Nepali number (domestic): 01-4XX-XXXX
- From a US mobile:
+977 1 4XX XXXX - From a US landline:
011 977 1 4XX XXXX
Example 2: Calling a Nepali mobile from the US
- Nepali number (domestic): 098-4123-4567
- From a US mobile:
+977 984 123 4567 - From a US landline:
011 977 984 123 4567
Example 3: Calling a Pokhara landline from the UK
- Nepali number (domestic): 061-XXX-XXX
- From the UK:
00 977 61 XXX XXX
Example 4: Calling from Qatar
- Nepali number (domestic): Any mobile (e.g., 098-0567-8901)
- From Qatar:
00 977 980 567 8901
Best times to call Nepal
Nepal is on Nepal Standard Time (NPT, UTC+5:45) year-round. Nepal does not observe daylight saving time.
Here's how Nepali time relates to other time zones:
| Your location | Time difference | Call Nepal 9 AM - 6 PM |
|---|---|---|
| US East Coast (EST) | Nepal is 10h 45m ahead | 10:15 PM - 7:15 AM EST (night before) |
| US East Coast (EDT) | Nepal is 9h 45m ahead | 11:15 PM - 8:15 AM EDT (night before) |
| US West Coast (PST) | Nepal is 13h 45m ahead | 7:15 PM - 4:15 AM PST (night before) |
| UK (GMT) | Nepal is 5h 45m ahead | 3:15 AM - 12:15 PM GMT |
| Qatar (AST) | Nepal is 2h 45m ahead | 6:15 AM - 3:15 PM AST |
| UAE (GST) | Nepal is 1h 45m ahead | 7:15 AM - 4:15 PM GST |
| Malaysia (MYT) | Nepal is 2h 15m behind | 11:15 AM - 8:15 PM MYT |
| South Korea (KST) | Nepal is 3h 15m behind | 12:15 PM - 9:15 PM KST |
Tip: The 45-minute offset means you can't just do simple hour math. If it's noon in Qatar, it's 2:45 PM in Nepal. If it's 6 PM in Seoul, it's 2:45 PM in Kathmandu. Bookmark a time zone converter or set a secondary clock on your phone.
Common mistakes to avoid
Here are the most common mistakes when dialing the +977 country code:
- Keeping the leading 0: Nepali numbers start with 0 domestically. Drop it when dialing +977. Dial +977 984 (not +977 0984).
- Confusing +977 with +976: Mongolia is +976, Nepal is +977. One digit off.
- Wrong digit count: Mobile numbers are 10 digits after +977. Landlines are 8 digits. If you have 9 digits, something is missing.
- Mixing up NTC and Ncell: Both are Nepali carriers. 984/985/986 is NTC, 980/981/982 is Ncell. Both work with +977. This only matters for in-country rate differences.
- Forgetting the 45-minute offset: Nepal is UTC+5:45, not UTC+5:30 (that's India) or UTC+6 (that's Bangladesh). The 15- or 45-minute difference matters when scheduling calls.
Cheapest ways to call +977 numbers
Calls to Nepal from the US, UK, or Gulf states tend to be expensive through regular carriers. Here's how to reduce the cost:
- VoIP services: Services like CallSky.io offer competitive per-minute rates to Nepali mobile and landline numbers. Check our international calling rates.
- Viber/WhatsApp: Free when both sides have a stable internet connection. Viber is the go-to app in Nepal. WhatsApp works well in cities.
- Calling cards: Still popular among Nepali diaspora communities, especially in the Gulf states where prepaid calling cards for South Asian destinations are widely sold.
- International calling plans: Some US carriers offer South Asia calling bundles. Check our guide to the best apps for WiFi calling.
For reliable calls to rural Nepal -- where internet is spotty and Viber calls drop out -- a VoIP service with good Nepal rates is your best bet.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
What country has the +977 country code?
The +977 country code is for Nepal. Any call from a number starting with +977 originates from Nepal.
How many digits is a Nepali phone number?
Nepali mobile numbers have 10 digits after the +977 country code (starting with 98, 97, 96, or 94). Landlines have 8 digits after +977: area code 1 plus 7 digits for Kathmandu, or a 2-digit area code plus 6 digits for other cities.
What is the area code for Kathmandu?
The area code for Kathmandu Valley is 1. Internationally, dial +977 1 followed by the 7-digit local number.
How do I call Nepal from the USA?
From a mobile phone, dial +977 followed by the Nepali number (drop the leading 0). From a landline, dial the US exit code 011, then 977, then the number. For a mobile number like 0984-123-4567, dial +977 984 123 4567.
What time zone is Nepal in?
Nepal is on Nepal Standard Time (NPT, UTC+5:45) year-round with no daylight saving time. The 45-minute offset is unusual and means Nepal doesn't line up evenly with most other time zones.
Does WhatsApp work in Nepal?
Yes, WhatsApp works in Nepal, especially in urban areas with 4G coverage. However, Viber is actually more popular in Nepal and is the default messaging app for most Nepalis. In remote and mountainous areas, internet connectivity can be unreliable, so a regular phone call may work better.
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