---
title: "Country"
space: "ERPNext"
url: "https://docs.frappe.io/erpnext/country"
updated: "2026-08-14"
---

Country records provide shared localization defaults such as ISO code, date format, time format, and time zones. ERPNext includes a prepared country list, so administrators normally review the required record instead of creating a new one.



For Nova Industries in the United States, the Country record keeps US formatting available wherever ERPNext uses country-level defaults. Company, address, contact, and regional configuration can then refer to the same country consistently.

## Open a Country

Search for **Country** from the Awesomebar and open the list. Select the required record.

![Country list showing included country records and their formatting defaults](https://novacompanies.m.frappe.cloud/files/setup-20260814-country-list.png)



## Review localization fields

![United States Country record showing code, date format, time format, and time zones](https://novacompanies.m.frappe.cloud/files/setup-20260814-country-form.png)




| Field       | What it controls                                                        |
| ----------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Code        | ISO 3166 alpha-2 country code used by integrations and structured data. |
| Date Format | Default date presentation associated with the country.                  |
| Time format | Default presentation of time values.                                    |
| Time Zones  | Recognized time zones for the country.                                  |


## Country versus system defaults

The Country record stores country-level reference data. [System Settings](/erpnext/system-settings) controls the site language, time zone, date format, and number format used by default. [Global Defaults](/erpnext/global-defaults) and user preferences can further determine what a user sees. Review all three when formatting is unexpected.

## Troubleshooting

### The displayed date format is different

Check System Settings and the user’s language or locale. Country reference data does not override every site or user-level display preference.

### A regional feature is unavailable

Country alone may not enable a localization. Confirm the Company country, installed regional app, Domain Settings, and any required tax or compliance setup.

## Frequently asked questions

### Should I add a Country that already exists?

Reuse the prepared record and correct it only when verified country reference data is incomplete or outdated.

### Does changing Country convert existing transaction data?

It changes reference or default behavior. It does not rewrite historical addresses, currencies, taxes, or ledger entries.

## Related topics

- [Company](/erpnext/company-setup)
- [System Settings](/erpnext/system-settings)
- [Global Defaults](/erpnext/global-defaults)
- [Address](/erpnext/address)
- [Currency](/erpnext/currency)