What power adapter do you need?

Select where you are from and where you are going. Get the exact plug type, voltage, and whether you need a converter. Covers 221 countries.

Across 221 countries

There are 15 plug types worldwide (A through O). Most of Europe uses Type C/F at 230V/50Hz. North America uses Type A/B at 120V/60Hz. The UK, Ireland, and much of Southeast Asia use Type G. See all plug types →

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All 15 plug types at a glance

Every country uses one or more of these plug types. Hover or tap a type to see which countries use it.

Type A Ungrounded

Two flat parallel pins, ungrounded. 15A rated.

North America, Central America, Japan, Caribbean

Type B Grounded

Two flat parallel pins plus a round ground pin. 15A rated.

North America, Central America, Japan, Caribbean

Type C Ungrounded

Two round pins (Europlug), ungrounded. 2.5A rated.

Europe, South America, Asia

Type D Grounded

Three large round pins in a triangle pattern. 5A rated.

India, Nepal, Sri Lanka

Type E Grounded

Two round pins with a ground pin hole (French standard). 16A rated.

France, Belgium, Poland, Czech Republic, West Africa

Type F Grounded

Two round pins with side ground clips (Schuko). 16A rated.

Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Spain, South Korea, Russia

Type G Grounded

Three rectangular pins in a triangular pattern (British standard). 13A rated.

United Kingdom, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, UAE, Hong Kong

Type H Grounded

Three round pins in a V-shape (Israeli standard). 16A rated.

Israel, Palestine

Type I Grounded

Two angled flat pins in a V-shape plus a vertical ground pin. 10A rated.

Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina

Type J Grounded

Three round pins, offset ground (Swiss standard). 10A rated.

Switzerland, Liechtenstein

Type K Grounded

Three round pins, ground pin offset (Danish standard). 16A rated.

Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands

Type L Grounded

Three round pins in a line (Italian standard). 16A rated.

Italy, Chile, Uruguay

Type M Grounded

Three large round pins in a triangle (South African standard). 15A rated.

South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, India (large appliances)

Type N Grounded

Three round pins in a triangle (Brazilian standard). 20A rated.

Brazil, South Africa

Type O Grounded

Three round pins in a triangle (Thai standard). 16A rated.

Thailand

Do you need an adapter, a converter, or both?

An adapter (also called a plug adapter or travel adapter) changes the physical shape of your plug so it fits a different outlet. It does not change the electricity flowing through it. If the outlet shape is different but the voltage is compatible, an adapter is all you need.

A converter (or voltage converter/transformer) changes the electrical voltage. If you are traveling from a 120V country (US, Canada, Japan, Mexico) to a 230V country (most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania), a converter steps the voltage down so your 120V-only device does not overheat or burn out.

Most modern electronics do not need a converter. Check the fine print on your charger or power brick. If it reads "Input: 100-240V~50/60Hz" (which covers virtually all phone chargers, laptop adapters, tablet chargers, camera chargers, and electric shavers), you only need a physical adapter. The device handles voltage conversion internally.

Devices that typically need a converter: hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons, clothes steamers, and some older electronics labeled "120V only." For these, consider buying a dual-voltage version instead of carrying a heavy converter.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a power adapter for Europe?

Most of continental Europe uses Type C and Type F plugs at 230V/50Hz. If you are traveling from the US (Type A/B, 120V/60Hz), you need an adapter. A single Type C adapter works in 107 countries across Europe, Asia, and South America. Type F adds grounding for devices that need it. Most US electronics with switching power supplies (phones, laptops, cameras) rated 100-240V work with just a physical adapter and do not need a voltage converter.

Do I need a voltage converter?

Only for devices that are not rated for the destination voltage. Check the label on your charger or power brick. If it says "100-240V" or "100-240V~50/60Hz" (most modern electronics including phones, laptops, tablets, and cameras), you only need a physical adapter. If it says "120V only" (common on hair dryers, curling irons, flat irons, and some older electronics), you need a voltage converter or a dual-voltage replacement.

What is the difference between a power adapter and a voltage converter?

An adapter changes the physical shape of your plug to fit a different outlet. It does not change the electricity. A converter (or transformer) changes the electrical voltage from one standard to another. If you are traveling from the US (120V) to Europe (230V), plugging a 120V-only hair dryer into a 230V outlet with just an adapter will damage or destroy it. You would need a converter. However, most modern chargers handle 100-240V automatically and only need an adapter.

What plug type does the UK use?

The UK uses Type G, a three-rectangular-pin plug rated for 230V at 50Hz. Type G is also the standard in 32 countries including Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UAE. US travelers need a Type G adapter. Since UK voltage is 230V versus the US 120V, devices marked "120V only" also need a voltage converter.

Can I use my US phone charger in Europe, Japan, or the UK?

Yes. All modern phone chargers from Apple, Samsung, and Google are rated 100-240V and work worldwide with just a physical adapter. You do not need a voltage converter for any USB charger. In Japan (Type A/B, 100V), your US plugs fit without any adapter at all. In Europe (Type C/F, 230V) and the UK (Type G, 230V), you need the correct adapter shape but your charger handles the voltage automatically.

What countries use the same plugs as the US?

51 countries and territories use Type A/B plugs, the same as the US. These include Canada, Mexico, Japan, Colombia, Ecuador, Costa Rica, and most of Central America and the Caribbean. Note that voltage may differ: Japan uses 100V, Mexico uses 127V, and Colombia uses 110V, though the difference from the US 120V is small enough that most devices work without a converter.