How to Call Nepal from USA

Nepal Area Codes (Major Regions & Cities)

Below is a list of area codes for various regions and cities in Nepal. When calling a landline from the USA, use the format: 011 + 977 + Area Code + Local Number. Remember, Kathmandu (1) has a 7-digit local number, while most other areas have 6-digit local numbers.

Note: This list covers major areas. Less populated areas may share codes or have unique ones. Always verify the specific number if unsure.

Mobile Phone Networks in Nepal

Calling a Nepali mobile phone from the USA requires dialing 011 + 977 + 10-digit Mobile Number. No area code is used for mobile phones.

The main mobile operators in Nepal are Nepal Telecom (NTC), Ncell, and Smart Cell. While number portability isn't fully established, prefixes often indicate the original network:

Note: These are common prefixes; others may exist or numbers may have been ported.

Time Difference in Nepal

Nepal follows Nepal Time (NPT), which is UTC+5:45 year-round. Nepal does not observe Daylight Saving Time.

This unusual offset (+5:45) means the time difference with the United States (USA) varies slightly depending on US Daylight Saving Time (DST - approx. mid-March to early November):

US Eastern Time (ET): Nepal is 10 hours and 45 minutes ahead of EST (US Standard Time) and 9 hours and 45 minutes ahead of EDT (US DST).
(Example: 9 AM EST is 7:45 PM NPT; 9 AM EDT is 6:45 PM NPT)
US Central Time (CT): Nepal is 11 hours and 45 minutes ahead of CST and 10 hours and 45 minutes ahead of CDT.
US Mountain Time (MT): Nepal is 12 hours and 45 minutes ahead of MST and 11 hours and 45 minutes ahead of MDT.
US Pacific Time (PT): Nepal is 13 hours and 45 minutes ahead of PST and 12 hours and 45 minutes ahead of PDT.
(Example: 9 AM PST is 10:45 PM NPT; 9 AM PDT is 9:45 PM NPT)

Always double-check the current time difference, especially near the start and end dates of US Daylight Saving Time (March, November).

Nepal's Phone System

Nepal's telecommunications landscape features a mix of state-owned Nepal Telecom (NTC) and private operators like Ncell and Smart Cell. Mobile phone penetration has grown rapidly and significantly exceeds fixed-line connections, particularly outside the Kathmandu Valley. 4G services are widespread in urban and semi-urban areas, with ongoing expansion. Fixed-line services, mainly provided by NTC, are more common in cities. Internet access is growing, leading to increased use of VoIP and messaging apps for international communication.

Best Times to Call Nepal

Considering the significant time difference (UTC+5:45), finding a convenient time to call Nepal from the USA requires planning.

Typical business hours in Nepal are Sunday to Friday, roughly 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM NPT. Government offices may have slightly different hours.

A good window for potential overlap often involves the US morning. Calling between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM US Eastern Time corresponds to approximately 5:45 PM to 8:45 PM in Nepal (adjusting for US DST). This allows you to reach people towards the end of their workday or in the early evening.

Alternatively, very early US mornings (e.g., 6:00 AM to 8:00 AM ET) correspond to mid-afternoon in Nepal (3:45 PM to 5:45 PM NPT), which might be suitable for business calls.