ExploPractical
Travel plug types explained: A to O and what you need
Plug shape and voltage are two different problems. Learn the main plug types, where they are used, and when a simple adapter is enough.
Packing for a trip abroad means answering two separate questions about electricity. Will my plug fit the socket? And will my device work on the voltage there? An adapter solves the first. It does nothing for the second.
This guide explains the plug types from A to O, the voltages you'll meet, and how to avoid frying a hair dryer.
Plug types at a glance
Plug types are lettered A to O. Here is what each looks like and where you'll find it. Many countries use more than one type, so a country may appear in several rows.
| Type | What it looks like | Common in |
|---|---|---|
| A | Two flat parallel pins | United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan |
| B | Two flat parallel pins plus a round earth pin | United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan |
| C | Two round pins, no earth | Much of Europe, and parts of Asia, Africa and South America |
| D | Three large round pins in a triangle | India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Namibia |
| E | Two round pins and a hole for the socket's earth pin | France, Poland, Czechia, Belgium |
| F | Two round pins with earth clips on the sides (often called Schuko) | Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, Austria, Sweden |
| G | Three rectangular blades in a triangle | United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Singapore, Hong Kong, UAE, Kenya |
| H | Three pins in a Y shape | Israel |
| I | Two flat blades in a V shape plus an earth blade | Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, China |
| J | Three round pins, earth pin off to one side | Switzerland, Liechtenstein |
| K | Two round pins plus a round earth pin | Denmark, Bangladesh, Maldives |
| L | Three round pins in a line | Italy, Chile |
| M | Three large round pins | South Africa, India, Botswana |
| N | Three round pins in a recessed socket | Brazil, South Africa |
| O | Three round pins | Thailand |
Plug data changes slowly but isn't always uniform inside a country, because older buildings and newer ones can use different sockets. Treat any list as a good first answer, and check before you fly.
Voltage and frequency
The other half of the story is the electricity itself. Most of the world uses 220 to 240 volts. The Americas and Japan mostly use 100 to 127 volts. A few places, including Brazil, vary by region. Frequency is 50 or 60 hertz.
| Country | Plug types | Voltage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Japan | A, B | 100 V | 50 or 60 Hz |
| Brazil | C, N | 127 or 220 V | 60 Hz |
| United Kingdom | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Germany | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Italy | C, F, L | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| India | C, D, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Australia | I | 230 V | 50 Hz |
Adapter or converter?
- An adapter only changes the shape of the plug so it fits the socket. It does not change the voltage.
- A converter or transformer changes the voltage. It is bulkier, heavier and usually only needed for specific devices.
Most of what you travel with doesn't need a converter. Phone chargers, laptop chargers and camera chargers are normally dual-voltage. Look for a label that says something like "Input: 100-240V, 50/60Hz". If it does, an adapter is all you need.
What can go wrong
Plugging a single-voltage device into the wrong supply can destroy it and can be a fire risk. The usual culprits are hair dryers, straighteners, electric kettles and some shavers. A device made for 120 volts and plugged into a 230-volt socket will overheat. Look at the label before you pack it. Many travel versions are dual-voltage with a switch, and hotels often have dryers you can borrow.
Frequency usually doesn't matter for modern chargers, but it can affect motors and some clocks.
Choosing a travel adapter
- Universal or country-specific. A universal adapter covers most regions in one piece. If you only visit one or two places, a cheap country-specific adapter is lighter.
- Earth pin. If your device has an earth pin, check the adapter passes it through.
- USB ports. A model with USB-C lets you charge phones without a separate brick. Check the power it supplies if you want to charge a laptop.
- The Europlug. The two-pin type C plug fits many European sockets, but it has no earth and not every socket accepts it.
- Bring one spare, or a small power strip, if you charge several devices at once.
Find it before you fly
In Explo, every country page lists its plug types, voltage and frequency, so you can check before you pack, or use the plug and voltage finder on the web to see whether your plugs fit and your devices cope. Add it to your routine with the pre-trip checklist, and check the best time to go so you pack for the weather too.
