Barbados
Latin America & the Caribbean · 15 specs
Direct Answer
Barbados (BB / BRB / 052) operates on a 115 V / 50 Hz electrical grid using NEMA 1-15 (Type A) and NEMA 5-15 (Type B) sockets. Traffic drives on the left (LHT). The official currency is the Barbadian Dollar (BBD, Bds$), country calling code is +1-246 (NANP), emergency dispatch is 211 (Police) / 511 (Ambulance), and paper standard is US Letter / ISO A4.
Source: BLPC / BNSI / ISO 3166-1 / Barbados Postal Service · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Barbados ISO 3166-1 |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | BB |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | BRB |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 052 UN M49 (Code 419) |
| Country Calling Code | +1-246 NANP (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 011 |
| Internet ccTLD | .bb Telecoms Unit |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | Barbadian Dollar (BBD, Bds$) 2:1 Peg with USD |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 115 V, 50 Hz Barbados Light & Power Company (BLPC) |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15) 15 A / 125 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Left-Hand Traffic (LHT / RHD) Barbados Licensing Authority |
| Primary Measurement System | Metric (SI) BNSI Standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | US Letter & ISO 216 A4 Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 211 (Police) / 511 (Ambulance) / 311 (Fire) Direct Service Dispatch |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC-4 (AST) No DST |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 115 V, 50 Hz.
- Plug & Socket Hardware: Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15). Uses North American style Type A (2-blade ungrounded) and Type B (3-prong grounded) receptacles.
- 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 +1-246. Outbound international calls from within the country require dial prefix 011 followed by the destination country code.
- Emergency Dispatch: Consolidated emergency services are reached at 211 (Police) / 511 (Ambulance) / 311 (Fire). 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 left (LHT) with Right-Hand Drive (RHD) 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 Barbadian Dollar (BBD, Bds$).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize US Letter & ISO 216 A4. Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC-4 (AST).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes Standard postal system.
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Barbados.