World Country Codes Guide

What is a country code?

A country code is a short identifier for a country or territory. Different systems use different types of codes. For example, JP is Japan’s ISO two-letter code, JPN is its ISO three-letter code, +81 is its international telephone calling code, JPY is its currency code, and .jp is its internet country-code top-level domain. These codes are related, but they are not interchangeable.

The country directory above puts these systems side by side so you can find the right value without memorizing separate lists. Start with a name or partial code, then use the region filter to narrow the results.

Understanding ISO country codes

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 provides two-letter identifiers commonly used in forms, international shipping, databases, and country selectors. Alpha-3 provides three-letter identifiers that are often easier to recognize in reports or data exchanges. Numeric codes provide three-digit identifiers useful when language-independent country references are needed.

Important: an ISO country code does not automatically tell you which language is spoken, which currency is used, or whether the territory is an independent state. The UK is commonly called “UK,” but its ISO alpha-2 code is GB.

International calling codes explained

A country calling code is the dialing prefix used to reach a telephone numbering area from abroad. It appears after the plus sign in international number notation. For example, a number in Japan starts with +81, while a number in France starts with +33. The plus sign represents the international call prefix that a phone network uses; it is not always a literal plus character to dial on every device.

Why do some places share +1?

The North American Numbering Plan uses +1 across the United States, Canada, and several Caribbean territories. Their distinct area codes help identify specific destinations. That is why some entries show a more detailed prefix such as +1 876 for Jamaica. A telephone prefix is not always one-to-one with a country, and mobile or special-service numbers may follow additional rules.

How to enter a number internationally

Select your destination country, write the country calling code, and then use the local phone number in its international format. Many countries require you to remove a leading national trunk prefix such as 0. Because numbering plans vary, check the recipient’s published international contact number if you are unsure.

Currency codes and money

Currency codes usually follow ISO 4217 and use three letters, such as USD for US dollars, EUR for euros, GBP for pounds sterling, and JPY for Japanese yen. Currency codes identify a monetary unit, whereas a country code identifies a place. They may look similar, but their purposes are different.

One currency can be used in several countries or territories. For example, the euro is shared by multiple European countries. Some places also use more than one currency in everyday transactions, and currency arrangements can change. The directory lists common reference codes but is not a live exchange-rate or legal-tender service.

Country codes versus currency codes

CA identifies Canada and CAD identifies the Canadian dollar. AU identifies Australia and AUD identifies the Australian dollar. There is no universal rule that the first two currency-code letters must match a country’s code, especially for shared or special currencies.

Country-code internet domains (ccTLDs)

A country-code top-level domain, or ccTLD, is usually a two-letter domain extension associated with a country or territory. Familiar examples include .uk, .de, .jp, .ca, and .au. These extensions are widely used for national websites, local businesses, institutions, and regional projects.

A domain extension does not prove where its website is physically hosted or where its owner lives. Some ccTLDs are marketed or used internationally, such as .ai and .io. Each registry can set its own eligibility, reservation, and pricing rules. The directory shows representative country-code extensions, not real-time domain availability or registry policy.

Why does the United Kingdom use .uk?

Some familiar internet conventions and country codes have different histories. The United Kingdom uses .uk as its primary country-code domain even though its ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 identifier is GB. When building applications, avoid assuming the country’s ISO two-letter code is always identical to its web domain extension.

How to use country codes correctly in websites and forms

• Country selectors: Store a stable ISO alpha-2 identifier alongside a readable country or territory name.
• Phone number forms: Store full international numbers and validate them with a numbering-plan-aware library, not just a country-prefix lookup.
• Shipping and billing: Use the specific country/territory choices required by your provider, as service coverage and postal conventions vary.
• Currency selectors: Use currency codes independently from country selections. A customer may pay in a currency different from the default local currency.
• Website targeting: A country-code domain may signal regional relevance, but language, hosting location, and customer location are separate decisions.

For database imports, retain leading zeros in three-digit numeric codes, such as 076 for Brazil. Store these as strings if you want a consistent fixed-width display.

Regions, territories, and special cases

The 249 entries in this guide cover the complete current ISO 3166-1 country-and-territory code set, not historical, reserved, user-assigned, or unofficial codes. That number should not be read as the number of sovereign nations. The directory also includes dependencies and territories that have their own assigned codes. Regions are simplified geographic groupings for browsing and may differ from another organization’s regional classification.

Some places have special naming, political, administrative, or monetary arrangements. Others lack a conventional capital or national telephone system. For this reason, the guide may show an em dash where a simple value would be misleading. International standards and territorial arrangements evolve, so critical operational uses should be checked against the relevant current specification.

Frequently asked questions