Palau
Oceania · 18 specs
Direct Answer
Palau (PW / PLW / 585) operates on a 120 V / 60 Hz electrical grid using NEMA 1-15 (Type A) and NEMA 5-15 (Type B) sockets under the US Compact of Free Association. Traffic drives on the right (RHT). The official currency is the US Dollar (USD, $), country calling code is +680, emergency dispatch is 911, and paper standard is US Letter.
Source: Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) / Compact of Free Association / ISO 3166-1 · Last reviewed Aug 28, 2026
Specs
| Official English Name | Republic of Palau ISO 3166-1 |
| Local Endonym | Beluu er a Belau (Palauan) |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2 | PW |
| ISO 3166-1 Alpha-3 | PLW |
| ISO 3166-1 Numeric / UN M49 | 585 UN M49 (Code 009) |
| Country Calling Code | +680 PNCC (ITU-T E.164) |
| International Exit Code (IDD) | 011 dial prefix for international calls |
| Internet ccTLD | .pw Palau Registry |
| Vehicle Registration Code | PAL UNECE Standard |
| National Currency (ISO 4217) | United States Dollar (USD, $) 100 Cents (COFA Treaty) |
| Mains Electricity Standard | 120 V, 60 Hz Palau Public Utilities Corporation (PPUC) |
| Electrical Plug Sockets | Type A (NEMA 1-15) & Type B (NEMA 5-15) 15 A / 125 V |
| Road Traffic Driving Side | Right-Hand Traffic (RHT / LHD & RHD mix) Palau National Code |
| Primary Measurement System | US Customary & Metric Commercial standard |
| Standard Office Paper Format | US Letter (8.5 × 11 in / 215.9 × 279.4 mm) Standard |
| Consolidated Emergency Number | 911 Ministry of Justice Police / Hospital |
| Postal Code Regex / Format | 5 Digits (USPS ZIP: 96940 Koror) USPS Standard (COFA) |
| Primary Time Zone | UTC+9 (PWT) Same as Japan JST (no DST) |
Electrical Grid, Voltage & Plug Compatibility
- Nominal Grid Parameters: Operates on a single-phase standard of 120 V, 60 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 +680. 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 911. 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 United States Dollar (USD, $).
- Document & Paper Standards: Standard office printing, official government gazettes, and legal filings strictly utilize US Letter (8.5 × 11 in / 215.9 × 279.4 mm). Standard business correspondence pairs with standard business envelopes.
- National Time Zone: Regulated under UTC+9 (PWT).
Postal Addressing & Administrative Divisions
- Postal Architecture: Postal delivery utilizes 5 Digits (USPS ZIP: 96940 Koror).
- Standard Address Format: Structured in standardized hierarchy: Recipient Name → Street Address / Building Unit → Postal Code + City/Town → Province/State → Republic of Palau.