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Power Outlet Guide:
Which Plug to Use in What Country
Plug shapes, hole configurations, sizes, and sockets vary significantly from one country to another.
This variation underscores the necessity of using a plug adapter when traveling abroad to ensure that your appliances from home can function seamlessly in foreign lands. However, a word of caution: don't forget to check the voltage requirements as well. Plugging in a hair dryer designed for North American use into a European socket could turn into an involuntary fireworks display.
Our comprehensive power outlet guide is your go-to resource, offering a detailed breakdown of plug shapes and sizes for each country across the globe. It's your one-stop reference for all things related to international power outlets. And to make your travel experiences even smoother, we've included suggestions for essential travel gadgets at the end of this post. With this information in hand, you can travel confidently, knowing you're well-prepared for any power connection you encounter during your journey.
Type A
USA/Japan, 2-pole, unearthed
Used North and Central America and Japan
(among others)
Power outlet type A has two flat parallel prongs, it is predominantly used in North and central America and Japan.
The Japanese plug has two identical flat prongs, whereas the US plug has one prong that is slightly larger, it is not a problem to use Japanese plugs in the US, however the opposite doesn’t always work. The holes at the tip of the prongs on type A (and B) plugs are there to prevent the plug slipping out from the socket, pretty nifty!
Type B
USA, 3-pole, earthed
Used North and Central America and Japan
(among others)
Power outlet type B has two flat parallel prongs and a grounding pin, it is a standard plug for North America and Japan, but probably used less frequently in the latter, as with type A, the Japanese plug and sockets differ slightly from their American equivalents.
Type C
Euro, 2-pole, unearthed
Used in all countries of Europe except the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta
Power outlet type C has two round prongs – it is probably the most widely used international plug and is commonly known as the Europlug. Type C plugs are commonly used; however this isn’t the case for type C sockets – the sockets are ‘ungrounded’, and because of this safety issue, have become illegal.
Type D
India, 3-pole, earthed
The Type D plug is mainly used in India and Nepal (see the table below for a list of all countries that currently use the Type D plug and socket).
The Type D plug is rated at 5amps, and features 3 round pins, with the smaller Live and Neutral pins located at the bottom of plug face, and the larger Earth pin at the top. This plug can sometimes be confused with the larger Type M plug, which is rated at 15amps, but looks identical.
Type E
French Schuko, 3-pole, earthed
The Type E plug has two round pins (diameter 4.8mm, centers spaced 19mm apart) and a hole for the earth pin. The Type E plug is round, and the Type E socket has a round recess.
Note: The CEE 7/7 plug can be used with both Type E and Type F sockets. It has a hole (for the earth pin of Type E sockets) as well as earth clips on the sides (to work with Type F sockets).
The Type E plug is used for currents up to 16 A.
Type F
Schuko, 3-pole, earthed
The Type F plug (also known as Schuko – shorthand for the German “Schutzkontakt”)
has two round pins
(diameter 4.8mm, centers spaced 19mm apart).
It is similar to a Type E plug; however, instead of a hole for the earth pin, it has two earth clips on the sides.
A CEE 7/7 plug is designed to fit both Type E and Type F sockets.
It has earth clips on its sides to work with Type F sockets as well as a hole for the earth pin of Type E sockets.
The Type F plug is used for currents up to 16 A.
Type G
UK, 3-pole, earthed
The Type G plug is the main plug used in the UK, Ireland, Malta and Hong Kong (among other countries; a full list can be found below).
The Type G plug has 3 rectangular pins (the earth pin being larger than the live and neutral pins), and is always fitted with a fuse (which can range from 3amp to 13amp); as such, the Type G is often called the safest plug in the world.
Type H
Israel, 3-pole, earthed
Exclusively used in Israel, the Type H plug has 3 flat pins – the live and neutral forming a “V” shape.
Type H plugs are rated at 16 amps. Please note that this plug is currently being phased out and replaced by a round-pinned version. Type C and Type M.
Type I
Australia/China
The Type I plug is mainly used in Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina. For a full list of countries please see the table below. Earthed Type I plugs have 3 flat pins – the live and neutral pins forming a “V” shape. On unearthed plugs the earth pin is sometimes removed. The Type I plug is rated at 10amps as standard – though a 15amp version is also available (this higher-rated plug has a slightly wider earth pin – meaning you can plug a 10amp plug into a 15amp socket, but not the other way round).
The difference between the Australian and Argentinian Type I is that the polarity is reversed – meaning the live and neutral plugs are wired the other way round. For more information on Type I plugs and sockets, please get in touch here.
Type J
Switzerland, 3-pole, earthed
The type J plug is mainly used in Switzerland and Jordan (a full list of countries can be found below). The type J plug has 3 round pins, with the live and neutral lying either side of a slightly raised earth pin (very similar to the Brazilian type N connector – though these aren’t compatible with each other).
Type J plugs are rated at 10amps. You can use the Type C (unearthed) plug in a type J socket.
Type K
Denmark, 3-pole, earthed
Like Norway, electrical outlets in Denmark use a two-prong plug typical for continental Europe; however, Denmark strays from the Scandinavian norm, so make sure the adapter you buy is suitable for the deeper outlets in this country.
When purchasing an international adapter, you'll want to look for plug types E or K as they have the correct size of two round prongs.
Type L
Italy, 3-pole, earthed
The Type L plug (CEI 23-16/VII) comes in two versions rated at 10 A and 16 A respectively. The 10 A version has two round pins with a diameter of 4 mm and spaced 5.5 mm apart. There is also an earth pin in the middle.
The 16 A version has two round pins with a diameter of 5 mm and spaced 8 mm apart. The earth pin is also round.
A “universal“ socket, consisting of a “Schuko” socket for Type C, E, F and L plugs and a “bipasso” socket for Type L and C plugs, is commonly used in Italy.
The Type L plug is used for currents up to 10/16 A.
Type M
South Africa, 3-pole, earthed
Type M is used almost exclusively in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. (Click here for the full list of all countries that use type M)
This plug resembles the Indian type D plug, but its pins are much larger. Type M is a 16 amp plug, and it has three round prongs that form a triangle.
Type N
Brazil, 3-pole, earthed
There are two versions of the Type N plug. One is rated at 10 A and has two round pins (diameter 4mm) and an earth pin. The other is intended for larger appliances and is rated at 20 A. It has two pins (diameter 4.8 mm) and an earth pin. The Type N socket is designed to work with Type C plugs as well.
Brazil is one of the few countries where two voltages are in use. Most states use 127 V but some use 220 V. It is therefore important to know the local voltage before plugging in your appliance – incorrect voltage can destroy it! Many appliances sold in Brazil can work with either one of the two voltages.
The Type N plug is used for currents up to 10/20 A.
Type O
Thailand
When you are going on a trip to Thailand, be sure to pack the appropriate travel plug adapter that fits the local sockets.
But what do those electrical outlets look like?
In Thailand, types C and O are the official standards. American type A & B plugs can also be used, but their compatibility is going to be phased out in the long term.
Virtually all sockets in Thailand are hybrid ones, compatible with all four above-mentioned plug types.
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