Saudi Arabia
Asia · 16 specs
Direct Answer
Saudi Arabia (SA / SAU / 682) operates on a 230 V, 60 Hz electrical grid using Type G (SASO 2203) sockets. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the Saudi Riyal (SAR, ﷼), country calling code is +966, emergency dispatch is 911 / 999, and paper standard is ISO 216 A4.
Source: National Standards / ISO 3166-1 / IEC World Plugs · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Saudi Arabia ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | SA |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | SAU |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 682 UN M49 (Code 142) |
| Country Calling Code | +966 ITU-T E.164 |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 00 |
| Internet ccTLD | .sa IANA Registry |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Saudi Riyal (SAR, ﷼) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 230 V, 60 Hz National Grid Standard |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type G (SASO 2203) |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD) Vienna/Geneva Conventions |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 911 / 999 Emergency Dispatch |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 5 Digits (NNNNN, e.g. 11564 Riyadh) National Postal Standard |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+3 (AST–Arabia Standard Time) No DST |
Vision 2030 Standards & Unified 911 Dispatch
Under the Kingdom's sweeping Vision 2030 modernization initiative:
- Unified Emergency 911: Consolidated fragmented regional emergency numbers into the National Unified Operations Center (911).
- SASO Standard Harmonization: Standardized electrical appliances strictly on SASO 2203 (British Type G fused plugs) and 230 V / 60 Hz distribution.
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 230 V, 60 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type G (SASO 2203). Uses standard British Type G 3-pin rectangular blade plugs with internal fuse protection and child safety shutters.
- International Traveler Guidance: Devices operating on 100–240 V (smartphones, laptops) require only a mechanical pin adapter. Single-voltage appliances from differing voltage regions require a certified step-down/step-up power transformer.
Telecommunications, Dialing & Emergency Dispatch
- International Dialing: The country calling code is +966. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 00 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 911 / 999. Calls are automatically routed to local public safety answering points with emergency vehicle dispatch.
Transportation, Driving Standards & Road Regulations
- Traffic Flow: Road traffic drives on the right (RHT) with Left-Hand Drive (LHD) vehicles.
- Standard Speed Limits: General regulatory speed limits default to 50 km/h (31 mph) in built-up urban and residential zones, 80–100 km/h (50–62 mph) on undivided rural roads, and 110–130 km/h (68–81 mph) on grade-separated divided motorways/expressways (unless lower local limits are posted).
- Safety Requirements: Mandatory seatbelt compliance for all occupants, zero-distraction handheld mobile phone bans while driving, and mandatory in-vehicle warning triangles.
Commerce, Currency & Document Standards
- Official Currency: Legal tender is the Saudi Riyal (SAR, ﷼).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize ISO 216 A4 (210 × 297 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: UTC+3 (AST–Arabia Standard Time).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 5 Digits (NNNNN, e.g. 11564 Riyadh).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Saudi Arabia.