How to Call Nepal from the US

To call Nepal from the US, dial 011 + 977 + the Nepali number. Kathmandu landline example: domestic 01-XXXXXXX → US dial string 011-977-1-XXXXXXX (drop the area-code 0). Nepali mobile example: 98XXXXXXXX → 011-977-98XXXXXXXX (dial all 10 digits — no leading 0 to remove).

The 011 is the US international exit code. The 977 is Nepal’s country code. This pattern works from any US landline or mobile — on a smartphone you can substitute + for 011, dialing +977 ....

How to dial Nepal from the US

Follow these steps every time:

1. Dial 011 — the US exit code for all international calls. On a mobile keypad, long-press 0 to enter + as a shortcut; + works identically to 011 on smartphones.
2. Dial 977 — Nepal’s ITU-assigned country code, fixed for every Nepali number regardless of city or type.
3. For a landline, dial the area code without its leading 0. Nepali landline area codes are written with a 0 trunk prefix domestically (Kathmandu 01, Pokhara 061). That 0 is dropped for international dialing, so 01 becomes 1 and 061 becomes 61.
4. For a mobile, dial all 10 digits. Mobile numbers (starting 98 or 97) have no leading-0 trunk prefix, so nothing is removed — you dial the complete 10-digit number.
5. Dial the local subscriber number exactly as written.

The complete landline pattern: 011 977 <area code minus leading 0> <local number>. The complete mobile pattern: 011 977 <10-digit mobile number>.

If you see a Nepali number already formatted with +977 (common on business cards and websites), replace the + with 011 from a US landline, or dial it as-is from a smartphone.

Nepal area codes by city

Nepali landlines use geographic area codes regulated by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA). The leading 0 shown in domestic format is dropped for all international calls.

City / region	Domestic prefix	Dial from US (after 011 977)
Kathmandu	01	1
Pokhara	061	61
Biratnagar	021	21
Birgunj	051	51
Bharatpur / Chitwan	056	56
Butwal	071	71
Nepalgunj	081	81
Dharan	025	25

Landline subscriber numbers run 6–7 digits depending on the region (7 digits in the Kathmandu Valley, often 6 elsewhere), so the digit count after the area code varies.

Nepali mobile numbers do not use city area codes. They are 10 digits beginning with 98 or 97, and you dial all 10 digits after the country code. Example: a number beginning 98 is dialed from the US as 011 977 98XXXXXXXX.

How Nepal’s numbering works

Nepal uses the +977 country code under the ITU E.164 numbering plan, with allocation governed by the Nepal Telecommunications Authority (NTA).

Landline numbers are built as a geographic area code (1–2 digits after the leading 0 trunk prefix) plus a 6–7 digit subscriber number. The leading 0 is purely a domestic trunk prefix and is dropped for international calls.

Mobile numbers were standardized as 10-digit numbers beginning with 9. The second digit signals the technology and operator family — most current mobiles begin 98 or 97. Unlike landlines, mobiles carry no separate trunk-prefix 0 to strip when dialing from abroad.

The two dominant mobile operators are Nepal Telecom (the state incumbent) and Ncell, which together serve the large majority of Nepali mobile subscribers.

Time zone: Nepal Time (NPT)

Nepal observes a single time zone across the whole country:

• NPT (Nepal Time) — UTC+5:45, year-round.
• No daylight saving time — the clock never changes in Nepal.

The 45-minute offset makes Nepal one of only a handful of national time zones in the world that is not aligned to a whole or half hour.

US time zone	Offset (US standard time, winter)	Offset (US daylight time, summer)
Eastern (ET)	Nepal +10 h 45 m	Nepal +9 h 45 m
Central (CT)	Nepal +11 h 45 m	Nepal +10 h 45 m
Mountain (MT)	Nepal +12 h 45 m	Nepal +11 h 45 m
Pacific (PT)	Nepal +13 h 45 m	Nepal +12 h 45 m

Because Nepal never shifts its clock, the entire offset change comes from the US side switching to and from daylight saving time each spring and fall.

Practical rule for business callers: the workable overlap is early morning US Eastern. A call at 7–8 AM ET reaches Nepal in the late afternoon — roughly 5:45–6:45 PM NPT during US winter — near the end of the Nepali business day. The earlier you call in the US morning, the deeper into Nepal’s working hours you land.

US to Nepal calling costs

Costs vary significantly by calling method:

• US carrier per-minute (no plan): major US carriers charge roughly $2–$3 per minute to Nepal without an international add-on. Fine for an occasional call.
• Carrier international add-on packages: a monthly fee reduces the per-minute rate substantially. Worthwhile if you call Nepal regularly.
• VoIP providers (including DialPhone): flat per-minute rates to Nepal that typically undercut carrier add-ons, with no monthly minimum. For recurring US–Nepal calling, a VoIP plan on DialPhone business phone avoids per-minute sticker shock.
• Free app-to-app (WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger): works if the Nepali side also uses the app and has Wi-Fi or data — widely used in Nepal. Not viable for reaching landlines or businesses that only publish a phone number.

See DialPhone pricing for current per-minute Nepal rates included in each plan tier.

Calling Nepali mobile vs landline from the US

The country-code part of the dial string is always 011 977. The difference is what comes after:

• Landlines start with a geographic area code that carries a leading 0 in domestic format. You drop that 0, then dial the local subscriber number — typically 6–7 digits.
• Mobiles are 10 digits beginning 98 or 97, with no leading 0. You dial all 10 digits unchanged.

Identifying the type from the number: any Nepali number that is 10 digits and starts with 98 or 97 is a mobile. A shorter number led by a 0 area code (01, 061, etc.) is a landline.

Calling cost note: some US carriers price Nepali mobile destinations higher than landlines. VoIP providers including DialPhone typically apply a single flat rate, which simplifies budgeting for teams that mix mobile and landline calls.

SMS to Nepal and business use cases

US-to-Nepal SMS works from most US mobile plans, and many people in Nepal rely on app messaging (WhatsApp, Viber, Messenger) over data for everyday contact.

US–Nepal context where reliable calling matters most:

• Remittance, banking, and money transfer: the large Nepali diaspora in the US drives constant communication with family and financial service providers in Nepal; a recognizable, verified caller ID improves answer rates.
• Tourism and trekking operators: US travel agencies and individual trekkers coordinating Everest, Annapurna, and cultural tours need to reach Kathmandu and Pokhara operators across a 10-plus-hour offset.
• Outsourcing and IT services: US companies working with Nepal-based development and support teams benefit from predictable per-minute rates and timezone-aware call handling.

A DialPhone business phone plan routes US-to-Nepal calls at flat per-minute rates and lets a US-based team present consistent caller ID, so calls into Nepal are less likely to be screened as unknown international numbers.

FAQ

Calling Nepal FAQ

What is the country code for Nepal? +

Nepal's country code is +977. From a US landline or mobile, you reach it by dialing the US international exit code 011 first, making the full prefix 011 977. From a smartphone that supports E.164 dialing you can substitute + for 011, so +977 works identically.

Do I need to drop the leading 0 when calling Nepal from the US? +

It depends on whether you are dialing a landline or a mobile. Nepali landline area codes are written with a leading 0 in domestic format — Kathmandu is 01, Pokhara is 061. That leading 0 is Nepal's trunk prefix and is used only for calls placed inside Nepal.

When calling a landline from the US, drop that 0 and dial 011 977 + the area code without the 0 + the local number. Mobile numbers are different: they have no leading-0 trunk prefix to remove, so you dial all 10 digits after 011 977. Leaving the landline 0 in place is the most common reason a US-to-Nepal call fails to connect.

How do I call a Nepali mobile number from the US? +

Nepali mobile numbers are 10 digits and start with 98 or 97 — for example 98XXXXXXXX. There is no leading 0 to drop on a mobile number, so you dial all 10 digits.

From the US, dial 011 + 977 + the full 10-digit mobile number. Example: 9801234567 is dialed as 011 977 9801234567, or +977 9801234567 from a smartphone. Nepal Telecom and Ncell are the two main mobile operators.

What is the best time to call Nepal from the US? +

Nepal runs on Nepal Time (NPT), UTC+5:45 — one of the only national time zones in the world offset by 45 minutes. Nepal does not observe daylight saving time, so its clock never changes.

Nepal is 10 hours 45 minutes ahead of US Eastern Standard Time and 9 hours 45 minutes ahead during US Eastern Daylight Time. The practical business-hours overlap is early morning US Eastern: a call around 7–8 AM ET reaches Nepal in the late afternoon, roughly 5:45–6:45 PM, near the end of the Nepali workday. Earlier ET calls land better.

How much does it cost to call Nepal from the US? +

Standard US carrier rates without an international plan run roughly $2–$3 per minute to Nepal. Carrier international add-on packages reduce this to a lower per-minute rate for a monthly fee.

VoIP providers including DialPhone charge flat per-minute rates to Nepal that are typically lower than carrier add-on plans, with no monthly minimum for low-volume callers. Mobile and landline destinations may be priced differently by some carriers.

Can I call Nepali toll-free (1660) numbers from the US? +

No. Nepali freephone numbers begin with the access code 1660 and are free only when dialed from within Nepal. They are domestic service numbers and generally cannot be reached from the US at all.

If a Nepali business lists only a 1660 toll-free line, ask for their geographic landline (an 011 977 + area code number) or a direct mobile number so you can reach them from abroad.

What time zone is Nepal in and does it change? +

Nepal observes a single time zone nationwide: Nepal Time (NPT) at UTC+5:45. The 45-minute offset is unusual — most countries use whole-hour or half-hour offsets — and it applies across the entire country year-round.

Nepal does not use daylight saving time, so the only thing that shifts the US–Nepal offset is the US changing its own clocks. That makes Nepal 10 hours 45 minutes ahead of US Eastern in winter and 9 hours 45 minutes ahead in summer.

How do I save a Nepali number in my phone contacts? +

Save Nepali numbers in full E.164 international format: +977 followed by the number. For a Kathmandu landline written 01-XXXXXXX domestically, drop the 0 and save it as +977 1 XXXXXXX. For a mobile, save all 10 digits: +977 98XXXXXXXX.

This format works from any country without modification, prevents dialing errors when roaming, and is the standard format expected by CRMs and VoIP platforms including DialPhone.

Start calling Nepal today

Whether you make occasional calls to family in Kathmandu or run a team with daily US–Nepal volume, the right setup eliminates per-minute sticker shock and missed calls.

• DialPhone pricing — compare per-minute Nepal rates across plans
• Start a free trial — call Nepal from day one, no commitment
• DialPhone business phone — full VoIP platform for international calling

Related guides

• Number porting guide — bring your existing number to DialPhone
• STIR/SHAKEN explained — why caller ID attestation matters for international calls

Call other countries from the US

Part of the How to Call Internationally from the US hub — exit code 011, country codes, and the per-country mobile rules.

• How to call the UK from the US
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