Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a city full of history, culture, and natural beauty. If you are wondering about the current time in Kathmandu, how it compares to other time zones, or how time influences daily life in the city, this guide provides all the essential information.
Kathmandu Time Zone: Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45)
Kathmandu operates on Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45). This means:
- 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+5:45)
- 15 minutes ahead of Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30)
- 10 hours and 45 minutes ahead of New York, USA (UTC-5 during standard time)
- 5 hours and 45 minutes ahead of London, UK (UTC+0 during standard time)
Nepal is one of the few countries in the world that uses a non-standard time offset of 45 minutes rather than rounding to the nearest hour or half-hour.
Does Kathmandu Observe Daylight Saving Time?
No, Nepal does not use Daylight Saving Time (DST). Kathmandu stays on UTC+5:45 all year round.
The reasons include:
- Nepal has relatively stable daylight hours throughout the year.
- The government has not implemented DST due to minimal benefits for energy savings.
- Keeping a consistent time zone avoids confusion for businesses and travelers.
What Is the Current Time in Kathmandu?
To check the exact time in Kathmandu, you can:
- Look at your smartphone’s world clock.
- Search ‘current time in Kathmandu’ online.
- Use a time zone converter.
Since Kathmandu follows UTC+5:45, here’s how it compares with major cities worldwide:
- When it is 12:00 PM (noon) in Kathmandu:
- It is 11:45 AM in New Delhi, India.
- It is 12:00 AM (midnight) in New York, USA.
- It is 6:15 AM in London, UK.
- It is 3:15 PM in Tokyo, Japan.
If you are traveling, working remotely, or scheduling meetings, knowing these time differences is crucial.
Time Difference Between Kathmandu and Major Cities
| City/Country | Time Difference from Kathmandu (UTC+5:45) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi, India | -15 minutes (Kathmandu is ahead) |
| Dubai, UAE | -1 hour 45 minutes (Kathmandu is ahead) |
| London, UK | -5 hours 45 minutes (Kathmandu is ahead) |
| New York, USA | -10 hours 45 minutes (Kathmandu is ahead) |
| Tokyo, Japan | +3 hours 30 minutes (Tokyo is ahead) |
| Sydney, Australia | +4 hours 15 minutes (Sydney is ahead) |
For example, if it is 8:00 AM in Kathmandu, it is:
- 7:45 AM in New Delhi
- 5:15 AM in Dubai
- 2:15 AM in London
- 9:15 PM (previous day) in New York
This unique 45-minute offset often surprises travelers and businesses working with Nepal.
How to Convert Your Local Time to Kathmandu Time
To convert your time to Kathmandu Time (UTC+5:45):
- Find your local time zone.
- Calculate the difference from UTC+5:45.
- If you are in New York (UTC-5 during standard time), add 10 hours 45 minutes.
- If you are in London (UTC+0 in winter, UTC+1 in summer), add 5 hours 45 minutes.
- If you are in Tokyo (UTC+9), subtract 3 hours 30 minutes.
For quick conversions, you can use a world clock app or an online time converter.
Why Is Kathmandu in UTC+5:45?
Unique Time Zones in the World
Most countries set their time zones in full-hour or half-hour increments, but Nepal is one of the few that uses a 45-minute offset.
Historical Reason for Nepal Time (NPT)
Nepal originally followed Indian Standard Time (IST, UTC+5:30). However, in 1986, the government shifted Nepal’s time 15 minutes ahead to UTC+5:45 for reasons of national identity and convenience.
This means that Kathmandu is ahead of New Delhi by 15 minutes, making Nepal one of the few countries with a unique time zone.
How Time Affects Life in Kathmandu
1. Business and Work Schedules
The time zone affects business hours and government operations in Kathmandu.
- Government offices and banks operate from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Businesses dealing with India or China must adjust to slight time differences.
- International businesses must plan around the 5-hour 45-minute gap with London and the 10-hour 45-minute gap with New York.
2. Travel and Flight Schedules
If you are flying to or from Kathmandu, consider the time difference.
- Flights from Europe to Nepal take around 9-11 hours, meaning arrivals often happen early in the morning or late at night.
- Flights from the US to Nepal take around 18-24 hours, with layovers in cities like Dubai or Doha.
Being aware of the time zone can help avoid travel confusion and jet lag.
3. Online Meetings and Remote Work
If you work remotely or schedule international meetings, Kathmandu’s UTC+5:45 time zone is essential to consider.
For example:
- A 9:00 AM meeting in Kathmandu is:
- 8:45 AM in New Delhi
- 6:15 AM in Dubai
- 3:15 AM in London
- 10:15 PM (previous day) in New York
Using a time zone converter ensures everyone joins at the right time.
4. Communication with Family and Friends Abroad
If you have relatives in the US or Europe, calling them from Kathmandu requires careful planning due to the time difference.
For example:
- If it is 7:00 PM in Kathmandu, it is:
- 6:45 PM in New Delhi
- 4:15 PM in Dubai
- 1:15 PM in London
- 8:15 AM in New York
The best time to call friends and family abroad is usually early morning or late evening.
How to Check the Time in Kathmandu Easily
To stay updated with Kathmandu’s time, you can:
- Use your phone’s world clock feature.
- Search ‘current time in Kathmandu’ online.
- Enable automatic time updates on your device.
Kathmandu follows Nepal Time (NPT, UTC+5:45), and the time remains constant year-round without daylight saving adjustments.
Understanding Kathmandu’s time zone is essential for business, travel, and communication. If you’re planning a trip, virtual meeting, or call, knowing the time difference can help you stay on schedule.
Now that you know everything about Kathmandu time, you’ll never have to ask, ‘What time is it in Kathmandu?’ again!