Plugs and voltage · North America
Plug type and voltage in Cuba
Cuba uses plug types A, B, C and L at 110 V and 60 Hz.
The short answer
- Type Atwo flat pins
- Type Btwo flat pins and a round earth pin
- Type Ctwo round pins
- Type Lthree round pins in a row
Mains power in Cuba is 110 V at 60 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers usually accept 100 to 240 V, so they only need the right plug. Hair dryers, kettles and other single-voltage appliances need a matching voltage or a converter.
Do you need an adapter for Cuba?
It depends where you live. Here is how the plugs and voltage compare from the biggest travel markets.
| Travelling from | Their plugs | Plug | Voltage |
|---|---|---|---|
| United States | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| Canada | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| United Kingdom | Type G · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Germany | Type C, F · 230 V | Some plugs fit | Different |
| Australia | Type I · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| India | Type C, D, M · 230 V | Some plugs fit | Different |
| Japan | Type A, B · 100 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
| China | Type A, C, I · 220 V | Some plugs fit | Different |
| Brazil | Type C, N · 127 or 220 V | Some plugs fit | Same range |
| South Africa | Type D, M, N · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| United Arab Emirates | Type G · 230 V | Adapter needed | Different |
| Mexico | Type A, B · 120 V | No adapter needed | Same range |
A plug "fits" when it goes into the socket without an adapter. Shapes in one family work together, like a two-pin type C plug in a type E or F socket. Earthed devices can lose their earth connection.
Countries with similar plugs
These nearby countries share at least one plug type with Cuba.
Questions
What plug type does Cuba use?
Cuba uses types A, B, C and L: type A is two flat pins, type B is two flat pins and a round earth pin, type C is two round pins, type L is three round pins in a row.
What voltage is Cuba?
110 V at 60 Hz.
Do I need an adapter for Cuba from the United States?
No: plugs from the United States fit the sockets in Cuba. The voltage is in the same range, so single-voltage devices are fine too.
Do I need an adapter for Cuba from the UK?
Yes: the UK uses type G, Cuba uses types A, B, C and L. A type G to local adapter is cheap and easy to find.
Can I use my phone or laptop charger in Cuba?
Most modern phone, laptop and camera chargers accept 100 to 240 V, so they work on 110 V and only need the right plug. Check the small print on the charger. Hair dryers, kettles and shavers are often single-voltage: check them first.
How reliable is this?
The plug data is hand-curated from the Explo app and is a good first answer. Hotels often have universal sockets, and older buildings can differ: confirm before you fly.
Keep exploring
Practical · 4 min readInternational trip checklist: what to sort before you goA practical checklist for international travel: passport, entry rules, health, money, phone, power and documents, on a timeline from three months out.
Practical · 4 min readTravel plug types explained: A to O and what you needPlug shape and voltage are two different problems. Learn the main plug types, where they are used, and when a simple adapter is enough.
Practical · 3 min readYour first international trip: what to know before you goA calm, practical guide for first-time international travellers: passport, entry rules, money, phone, packing and the small things that go wrong.
- Free toolPlug and voltage finderWhich adapter you need, and whether you need a converter.
- Country guidesCountry guidesBest months, weather, holidays and plugs for every country.
- Free toolPassport validity checkerIs your passport valid for long enough for this trip?
Pack for Cuba with Explo
Explo is a free app: light up the countries you have visited, save the ones you dream about, and check visa rules, weather and holidays before you go.
Get ExploPlug and voltage data is hand-curated from the Explo app. Confirm before you fly.