Current Time in Nepal

Nepal Time (NPT) · UTC+5:45 · 45-minute offset · No DST

Current Time in Nepal
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NPT · UTC+5:45 (always)World’s Only :45 Offset!Kathmandu

Quick Facts

Time Zone
NPT — Nepal Time (UTC+5:45)
Unique Offset
World's ONLY :45 offset timezone
DST Status
Never observed
IANA Identifier
Asia/Kathmandu
Population
~30 million
Famous For
Everest, Himalaya, Bikram Sambat calendar

Nepal Time vs World

LocationWinterSummer
New York (ET)NP +10:45NP +9:45
London (GMT/BST)NP +5:45NP +4:45
India (IST)NP +0:15NP +0:15
China (CST)NP −2:15NP −2:15
Japan (JST)NP −3:15NP −3:15
Dubai (GST)NP −1:45NP −1:45

Why UTC+5:45? The World's Strangest Timezone Offset

Nepal is the only country in the world with a :45 offset. Most countries use full-hour offsets, a few use :30 (India, Iran, Myanmar), but only Nepal uses :45. This creates bizarre time math: when it's 12:00 noon in London, it's 5:45 PM in Nepal.

The offset was chosen in 1986 to assert Nepal's independence from India's IST (UTC+5:30). The 15-minute difference from India is a constant source of confusion for travelers crossing the border \u2014 every clock needs manual adjustment by an awkward 15 minutes.

Before 1986, Nepal used UTC+5:40 \u2014 based on the solar noon at the Gaurishankar peak (7,134m), a sacred mountain east of Kathmandu. The switch to +5:45 was simply for mathematical convenience (divisible by 15).

Bikram Sambat \u2014 Nepal's Calendar Is 56 Years Ahead

Nepal uses the Bikram Sambat (BS) calendar as its official calendar \u2014 currently in year ~2082/2083 BS. When the Gregorian world says 2026, Nepal says 2082/83. The Nepali New Year falls in mid-April (Baisakh 1).

The BS calendar has different month lengths each year (28-32 days), making it one of the world's most complex calendars to program. Nepali software developers must maintain lookup tables for each year \u2014 there's no simple formula to convert between BS and Gregorian dates.

Nepal's weekend is Saturday only \u2014 one of the few countries with a 6-day workweek. Saturday is the holy day in Hindu tradition. This means when Americans have a 2-day weekend, Nepalis are working \u2014 creating unique coordination windows for US-Nepal business.

Everest Time \u2014 Summit Windows and Climbing Schedules

Mount Everest (8,849m, world's tallest) has a narrow summit window in May when jet stream winds briefly abate. Climbers leave Camp 4 at 9-10 PM NPT for an overnight push, aiming to summit by 6-9 AM NPT and descend before afternoon storms.

Nepal's tourism industry revolves around trekking seasons: October-November (post-monsoon, clear skies) and March-May (pre-monsoon, rhododendron bloom). The Annapurna Circuit and Everest Base Camp treks attract 200,000+ trekkers annually \u2014 all navigating Nepal's unique :45 timezone.

Major Nepali Cities \u2014 All on NPT (UTC+5:45)

Kathmandu
Pop. 1.5M · Capital, temples, Durbar Square
Pokhara
Pop. 500K · Trekking gateway, Phewa Lake
Lalitpur (Patan)
Pop. 300K · Ancient city, Newari architecture
Biratnagar
Pop. 250K · Eastern hub, India border trade
Bharatpur
Pop. 200K · Chitwan gateway, jungle safaris
Lumbini
Sacred site · Buddha's birthplace, UNESCO site

Nepal Quick Facts

🏛️ Capital City
Kathmandu
👥 Population
30M
💰 Currency
₨ Nepalese Rupee
📞 Phone Code
+977
🕐 UTC Offset
UTC+5:45
🔄 Daylight Saving Time
No — fixed offset
🗣️ Official Languages
Nepali

Nepal Time Difference

Nepal vs New YorkNepal vs London
CityLocal TimeDifference
New York--:--Same time
London--:--Same time
Toronto--:--Same time
Miami--:--Same time
Los Angeles--:--Same time
Mexico City--:--Same time
Madrid--:--Same time
Paris--:--Same time
Berlin--:--Same time
Dubai--:--Same time
Tokyo--:--Same time
Sydney--:--Same time
São Paulo--:--Same time
Singapore--:--Same time

📞 Best Time to Call Nepal

Target 9 AM – 5 PM Nepal local time for business calls. Calling Nepal from the US requires planning. East Coast (EST): try 7–10 PM for a morning call. West Coast (PST): 4–7 PM. From the UK, early morning calls (7–9 AM GMT) reach Nepal during business hours.

🕐 Time Zone in Nepal

NPT (UTC+5:45)

Nepal uses NPT (UTC+5:45) year-round. Kathmandu is the capital and largest city.

Nepal does not observe Daylight Saving Time. The UTC offset stays fixed year-round — only countries that do observe DST (US, EU, UK) will shift relative to Nepal twice a year.

✈️ Time-Related Travel Tips for Nepal

When traveling to Nepal, expect significant jet lag if coming from Europe or the Americas. Allow 1–2 days to adjust. Set your phone to local time immediately upon arrival. The primary language is Nepali. Business meetings often start punctually.

💡 Interesting Facts About Time in Nepal

  • The capital Kathmandu is the political center of Nepal with a total national population of 30M.
  • Time zone boundaries don't always follow geographical lines — they're often adjusted for political, economic, or practical reasons.
  • The concept of standardized time zones was developed in the 19th century with the expansion of railways, replacing local solar time.

About Time in Nepal

Nepal uses a single time zone (NPT (UTC+5:45)). This makes it relatively straightforward to coordinate times across the country.

The capital city Kathmandu serves as the political and often economic center of Nepal. Major business activities are spread across cities including Kathmandu.

When planning international calls, video conferences, or business meetings with contacts in Nepal, it's important to consider the time difference. NPT (UTC+5:45) is the most commonly referenced time zone for Nepal.

Nepal uses the Nepalese Rupee () as its official currency. The international dialing code is +977. Official languages include Nepali.

View all 1 cities with live local times →

🌍 Other Countries in Asia

Frequently Asked Questions

What time is it in Nepal right now?
Nepal uses Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45) year-round. Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, and all Nepali cities are on UTC+5:45 with no Daylight Saving Time. The live clock above shows the current time in Nepal.
Why does Nepal use a 45-minute time offset?
Nepal uses UTC+5:45, one of the world's rarest time offsets — a 45-minute deviation from whole-hour UTC zones. This offset was chosen to differentiate Nepal from neighboring India (UTC+5:30) while reflecting Nepal's own geographic meridian. Nepal is the only country in the world with a UTC+5:45 offset. The 15-minute difference from India reinforces Nepali national identity and sovereignty.
Does Nepal observe Daylight Saving Time?
No. Nepal does not observe Daylight Saving Time. NPT (UTC+5:45) is fixed year-round. Nepal is located between roughly 80°E and 88°E longitude, and its latitude means seasonal daylight variation is manageable without clock changes.
What is the time difference between Nepal and India?
Nepal (NPT, UTC+5:45) is exactly 15 minutes ahead of India (IST, UTC+5:30). When it is 12:00 noon in Kolkata or Mumbai, it is 12:15 PM in Kathmandu. Neither country observes DST, so this 15-minute difference is constant year-round.
What is the time difference between Nepal and the UK?
Kathmandu (NPT, UTC+5:45) is 5 hours 45 minutes ahead of London (GMT, UTC+0) in winter. During UK Summer Time (BST, UTC+1), Kathmandu is 4 hours 45 minutes ahead of London. Since Nepal has no DST, the difference only changes when the UK adjusts its clocks.
What is the time difference between Nepal and the USA?
Kathmandu (NPT, UTC+5:45) is 10 hours 45 minutes ahead of New York (EST, UTC−5) in winter. During US Daylight Saving Time (EDT, UTC−4), the gap narrows to 9 hours 45 minutes. Kathmandu is 13 hours 45 minutes ahead of Los Angeles (PST, UTC−8) in winter.
Time zone data powered by the IANA Time Zone Database. Nepal: Asia/Kathmandu (NPT UTC+5:45, no DST).