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What Are Blu-ray Region Codes? A, B, C and UHD Explained

Standard Blu-ray discs use regions A, B and C. Learn how to check a disc and player, and why UHD region-free playback is a separate question.
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Standard Blu-ray discs use three region codes: A, B and C. A region-locked player generally plays standard Blu-ray discs assigned to its own region. Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are region-free on players that support the UHD format, but that does not mean those players can play standard Blu-rays from every region.

What do Blu-ray region codes mean?

Region codes are compatibility labels used on standard Blu-ray discs. The three codes are letters—A, B and C—not the numbered codes used for DVDs. A region-locked player generally plays discs assigned to its own region; region-free discs and players are exceptions.

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Sony groups regions broadly as follows. These groupings are a guide, not a substitute for checking the marking on a particular disc and the manual for the specific player.

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Code Broad areas in Sony’s region map
A North America, South America, U.S. territories, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and other areas of Southeast Asia
B Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand
C Asia except for the areas Sony lists under Region A

Sony’s Blu-ray region-code guidance describes these broad groupings. Because the map is not a guarantee for every release or device, use the disc marking and player documentation when compatibility matters.

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Where can you find a disc’s region code?

The region marking is commonly printed on the disc itself or on the back of its case. Some region-free discs may show no code. Check the actual marking rather than relying only on the country where the disc was sold.

What does “Region FREE” mean?

Sony Support Ireland describes “Region FREE” as informal rather than an official player setting. The label can mean the disc has no region flag, or that it has all three region flags—A, B and C—set. These are two ways a disc may be treated as region-free; the phrase does not by itself establish that a player is region-free.

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Sony Support Ireland’s explanation also distinguishes disc region flags from a player setting. For imported standard Blu-rays, check both the disc and the exact player model.

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Are Ultra HD Blu-ray discs region-coded?

Sony says Ultra HD Blu-ray discs are region-free and can play on devices that support Ultra HD Blu-ray, regardless of where the discs were purchased. This applies to the UHD disc and a UHD-compatible device; it does not prove that the same player can play standard Blu-ray discs from every region.

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A boxed UHD release may include a separate standard Blu-ray disc. Check each disc’s format and region marking, then confirm the player’s standard Blu-ray region support as well as its UHD capability.

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How to check whether an imported disc will play

  1. Identify the format. Determine whether the disc is standard Blu-ray or Ultra HD Blu-ray. Do not assume a standard Blu-ray bonus disc follows the UHD disc’s region behavior.
  2. Read the disc or case. Look for the A, B or C marking, or an indication that the disc is region-free. If no code appears, consult the release details rather than treating the absence as proof.
  3. Check the player manual for the exact model. Confirm which regions it supports for standard Blu-ray playback. A broad regional map or UHD support alone cannot establish compatibility.
  4. Compare the details before buying. Match the disc’s format and marking to the player’s documented support. If the documentation is unclear, ask the manufacturer or seller about that specific model and release.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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