Country Codes
ISO Country Codes Directory: Complete database of ISO 3166-1 Alpha-2, Alpha-3 and Numeric country codes for 195+ nations worldwide. Search by country name or browse alphabetically A-Z from Afghanistan (AF/AFG/004) to Zimbabwe (ZW/ZWE/716). Essential for international business, banking, shipping, web development and data processing. Standardized by International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Browse codes by continents: Africa | Asia | Europe | Americas | Oceania.
 islands Flag.png)
 Flag.png)
🔤 Country Codes & Standards
ISO Reference Resources
ℹ️ As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
🌠Complete Guide to ISO Country Codes Worldwide
📋 What are ISO Country Codes?
ISO country codes are standardized short codes established by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) under the ISO 3166-1 standard. These codes provide a uniform way to represent countries in international databases, banking systems, shipping, web development and business transactions worldwide.
🔤 Three Types of ISO Codes
- Alpha-2 (2-letter): Most common format used in domains (.us, .uk), passports and international standards
- Alpha-3 (3-letter): Used in banking, aviation (IATA) and detailed international documentation
- Numeric (3-digit): Language-independent codes perfect for databases and statistical systems
💼 Business Applications
- E-commerce: International shipping, tax calculations and payment processing
- Banking: SWIFT codes, international transfers and compliance reporting
- Web Development: Localization, currency conversion and geo-targeting
- Aviation: Flight bookings, airport codes and travel documentation
- Statistics: Government databases, research and international reporting
📊 Popular Code Examples
United Kingdom: GB / GBR / 826
Germany: DE / DEU / 276
Japan: JP / JPN / 392
Australia: AU / AUS / 036
Why Use Standardized Country Codes?
- Consistency: Eliminates confusion from country name variations
- Efficiency: Reduces data storage space and processing time
- Accuracy: Prevents errors in international transactions
- Compliance: Meets global standards for business and government systems
- Integration: Seamless data exchange between different platforms & countries
- Standardization: Universal recognition across all international systems
- Automation: Enables automated processing in banking and logistics
- Security: Reduces fraud through validated country identification
- Scalability: Supports global business expansion efficiently
- Interoperability: Compatible with all major software platforms worldwide
Frequently Asked Questions â“
💡 What are ISO Country Codes used for?
ISO Country Codes are used in international banking (SWIFT codes), shipping, e-commerce, web development, passport systems, and government databases. They ensure consistent country identification across all platforms worldwide.
🌠How many countries have ISO codes?
Currently, 249 countries and territories have official ISO 3166-1 codes. This includes 195 sovereign nations plus additional territories, dependencies, and special administrative regions.
🔢 What's the difference between Alpha-2, Alpha-3, and Numeric codes?
Alpha-2 (2-letter): Most common format (US, UK, DE) used in domains and passports.
Alpha-3 (3-letter): Used in banking and aviation (USA, GBR, DEU).
Numeric (3-digit): Language-independent codes (840, 826, 276) perfect for databases.
🦠Are ISO Country Codes mandatory for banking?
Yes, ISO Country Codes are mandatory for international banking transactions, SWIFT transfers, and compliance reporting. Banks use these codes to ensure accurate routing of international payments and regulatory compliance.
📱 Can I use these codes in my software application?
Absolutely! ISO Country Codes are free to use and widely supported by programming languages, databases, and APIs. They're essential for building international applications, e-commerce sites, and data systems.