What plug adapter do you need? Which countries use 120V vs 220V? Do you need just an adapter — or a full voltage converter? All answered.
50+
Countries covered
14
Plug types explained
A–N
All IEC types
Free
This tool
Changes the physical shape of the plug to fit foreign sockets. Does NOT change voltage.
✓ Needed if: sockets are a different shape to your home plugs
Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers, cameras) are dual-voltage (100–240V) and only need an adapter.
Changes both the shape AND the voltage. Required for single-voltage devices like some hair dryers, curling irons, shavers.
✓ Needed if: your device says only "120V" (US appliances going to 220V countries)
Check the label on your device. If it says "100–240V, 50/60Hz" — you only need an adapter, not a converter.
The golden rule: Look at the small print on your charger/adapter brick. If it says "Input: 100–240V, 50/60Hz" — you only need a plug adapter (shape change). This covers 99% of modern phone chargers, laptop power bricks, and camera chargers. Hair dryers, shavers, and electric razors often are single-voltage (only 120V) and need a converter in 220V countries.
| Country | Plug types | Voltage | Hz |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Type AType B | 120V | 60Hz |
| Canada | Type AType B | 120V | 60Hz |
| Mexico | Type AType B | 127V | 60Hz |
| UK | Type G | 230V | 50Hz |
| Ireland | Type G | 230V | 50Hz |
| France | Type CType E | 230V | 50Hz |
| Germany | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Italy | Type CType FType L | 230V | 50Hz |
| Spain | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Portugal | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Greece | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Netherlands | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Switzerland | Type CType J | 230V | 50Hz |
| Austria | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Belgium | Type CType E | 230V | 50Hz |
| Denmark | Type CType EType K | 230V | 50Hz |
| Sweden | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Norway | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
| Poland | Type CType E | 230V | 50Hz |
| Czech Republic | Type CType E | 230V | 50Hz |
| Japan | Type A | 100V | 50/60Hz |
| Australia | Type I | 230V | 50Hz |
| New Zealand | Type I | 230V | 50Hz |
| China | Type AType CType I | 220V | 50Hz |
| India | Type CType DType M | 230V | 50Hz |
| Thailand | Type AType BType C | 220V | 50Hz |
| Vietnam | Type AType C | 220V | 50Hz |
| Indonesia | Type CType F | 220V | 50Hz |
| Bali (Indonesia) | Type CType F | 220V | 50Hz |
| Philippines | Type AType BType C | 220V | 60Hz |
| Singapore | Type G | 230V | 50Hz |
| Malaysia | Type G | 240V | 50Hz |
| Hong Kong | Type G | 220V | 50Hz |
| South Korea | Type CType F | 220V | 60Hz |
| UAE / Dubai | Type G | 220V | 50Hz |
| Saudi Arabia | Type AType BType G | 127/220V | 60Hz |
| Jordan | Type BType CType DType FType GType J | 230V | 50Hz |
| Egypt | Type CType F | 220V | 50Hz |
| Morocco | Type CType E | 220V | 50Hz |
| South Africa | Type CType DType MType N | 230V | 50Hz |
| Kenya | Type G | 240V | 50Hz |
| Nigeria | Type DType G | 230V | 50Hz |
| Israel | Type CType H | 230V | 50Hz |
| Turkey | Type CType F | 220V | 50Hz |
| Russia | Type CType F | 220V | 50Hz |
| Brazil | Type CType N | 127V or 220V | 60Hz |
| Argentina | Type CType I | 220V | 50Hz |
| Colombia | Type AType B | 110V | 60Hz |
| Peru | Type AType BType C | 220V | 60Hz |
| Mexico | Type AType B | 127V | 60Hz |
| Nepal | Type CType DType M | 230V | 50Hz |
| Sri Lanka | Type DType GType M | 230V | 50Hz |
| Iceland | Type CType F | 230V | 50Hz |
USA
120VStandard North American. Most modern electronics auto-switch.
Canada
120VSame as USA.
Mexico
127VOften labeled 127V but close enough for 120V devices.
UK
230VThree-pin rectangular. UK-specific — bring a UK adapter.
Ireland
230VSame plug as UK.
France
230VType E sockets but accept Type C plugs too.
Germany
230VSchuko (Type F). Also accepts Type C.
Italy
230VType L is Italian specific. Also widely accepts Type C.
Spain
230VSame as Germany effectively. Type F.
Portugal
230VSome older buildings still have Type B. Mostly Type F.
Greece
230VType F / Schuko.
Netherlands
230VType F.
Switzerland
230VType J is Swiss-specific — bring a Swiss adapter or universal.
Austria
230VSchuko (Type F).
Belgium
230VType E (same as France).
Denmark
230VType K with Danish earth pin. Also accepts Type C.
Sweden
230VType F / Schuko.
Norway
230VType F / Schuko.
Poland
230VType E (French style).
Czech Republic
230VType E.
Japan
100VOnly 100V — check your device supports it. Most do (100–240V).
Australia
230VType I — angled flat pins. AU/NZ adapter needed.
New Zealand
230VSame plug as Australia.
China
220VThree plug types accepted. Outlets sometimes have multiple socket types.
India
230VType D (large round) and Type M (3 large pins) common. Type C also works in many sockets.
Thailand
220VMultiple socket types — Type A and C most common.
Vietnam
220VBoth Type A and Type C found.
Indonesia
220VType C / Schuko.
Bali (Indonesia)
220VSame as Indonesia. Many guesthouses have adapted sockets.
Philippines
220VMixed — Type A most common. Type B (three-pin) also found.
Singapore
230VBritish-type (Type G). Same as UK.
Malaysia
240VBritish-type. Same as UK.
Hong Kong
220VBritish-type G — same as UK.
South Korea
220VType C / Schuko. 60Hz (unusual for 220V country).
UAE / Dubai
220VBritish-type G.
Saudi Arabia
127/220VVariable — older buildings 127V, newer 220V. Check before using high-wattage devices.
Jordan
230VConfusing mix — universal adapter essential.
Egypt
220VType C / Schuko. Older sockets may be loose.
Morocco
220VFrench-style sockets.
South Africa
230VType M (15A version) standard. Type N (new standard) being introduced. Bring a SA adapter.
Kenya
240VBritish-type G.
Nigeria
230VMix of British (G) and Type D.
Israel
230VType H (Israeli specific). Type C also widely accepted.
Turkey
220VSchuko (Type F).
Russia
220VSchuko (Type F).
Brazil
127V or 220VVoltage VARIES by city — São Paulo is 110V, Rio is 220V. Check before plugging in!
Argentina
220VType I (same as Australia). Some older sockets accept Type C.
Colombia
110VSame as USA.
Peru
220VMix. Most modern sockets take Type A.
Mexico
127VSame sockets as USA.
Nepal
230VIndian-style sockets. Type C often works.
Sri Lanka
230VMix of British and Indian style.
Iceland
230VSchuko (Type F).
There are 14 plug types globally (A through N). Here are the most common ones you'll encounter:
Type A
120V · 60Hz
Two flat parallel pins
North America & Japan
USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan + 2 more
Type B
120V · 60Hz
Two flat pins + round earth pin
North America only (most devices only need Type A)
USA, Canada, Mexico
Type C
220–240V · 50Hz
Two round pins
Most common in world — the 'Europlug'
Most of Europe, South America, Asia, Africa (widely)
Type E
220–240V · 50Hz
Two round pins + earth socket
France and Central Europe
France, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic + 1 more
Type F
220–240V · 50Hz
Two round pins + side earth clips
Germany — most common in continental Europe
Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain + 6 more
Type G
220–240V · 50Hz
Three rectangular pins (triangle shape)
British Standard — former British territories
UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore + 7 more
Type I
220–240V · 50Hz
Two or three flat angled pins (V-shape)
Australia/NZ/China — similar but NOT identical
Australia, New Zealand, China, Papua New Guinea
Type D
220–240V · 50Hz
Three large round pins in triangle
Indian subcontinent
India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh
Type H
220–240V · 50Hz
Three pins in Y-shape
Israel only
Israel, Palestinian Territories
Type J
220–240V · 50Hz
Three round pins
Switzerland only — unique, not used elsewhere
Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Type K
220–240V · 50Hz
Two round pins + U-shaped earth
Denmark only
Denmark, Greenland
Type L
220–240V · 50Hz
Three round pins in a line
Italy — also accepts Type C
Italy, Chile, Ethiopia
Type M
220–240V · 50Hz
Three large round pins in triangle
Large 15A version of Type D
South Africa, India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Type N
127/220V · 50/60Hz
Three round pins, compact aligned layout
Modern IEC standard used most visibly in Brazil
Brazil, South Africa
USA hair dryer in Europe (120V device → 220V)
Will burn out immediately. Need a 2000W+ voltage converter OR buy a dual-voltage travel hair dryer.
Brazil — voltage varies by city
São Paulo is 110V, Rio is 220V. Check before plugging anything in. Hotels often have both or label outlets.
Japan — only 100V (lowest in world)
Most devices support 100–240V, so this is fine. Very old devices designed only for 120V may underperform.
Loose or sparking sockets in older buildings
Common in South Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe. Use a quality adapter with a surge protector.
Two-pin to three-pin adapters removing earth connection
Using an earthed (grounded) appliance on an unearthed socket via adapter is technically unsafe. Use a quality universal adapter that handles earthing properly.
If you travel internationally more than once a year, buy a quality universal adapter once and never think about this again.
Budget pick
BESTEK or TESSAN universal adapters
$12–18
2–3 USB + 1–2 outlets. Covers A, C, G, I. Fine for phones and laptops.
Best pick
Epicka or Ceptics world adapter
$25–35
Grounded. Built-in surge protection. 4 USB-A + USB-C. Covers all major plug types.
Power strip
Travel power strip with USB
$20–30
One country-specific adapter + multi-outlet strip. Most flexible if you have many devices.
Disclaimer: Electrical standards can vary within countries and may change. Always verify with the accommodation host or official local guidance before using high-wattage appliances. This guide is for general planning purposes only.
You've got the adapter sorted — now plan the full trip with costs, transport, and day-by-day itinerary.