When traveling abroad, one of the small details you might overlook is the type of plug used in your destination. It’s a common mistake you don’t want to make, since power outlets aren’t the same everywhere.
What works in your home country might not fit in another continent. So before packing your laptop, charger, or hair dryer, make sure you know what type of plug is used where you’re going. And in this post, we’ll help you out.
Including an adapter in your travel checklist is usually the easiest option. But it’s also helpful to know which types of plugs exist.
It’s estimated that there are at least 15 types of plugs in use around the world. Each of them has been classified by the International Trade Administration (ITA) with a letter, listed in alphabetical order.
Let’s get started:
This is one of the most commonly used plugs in the Americas and some Asian countries.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two flat, parallel prongs.
Grounding: No.
Voltage: Between 100 and 127 V.
Amperage: Up to 15 A.
Where it’s used: United States, Japan, Colombia, Canada, Mexico, Ecuador, Taiwan, among others.
Despite its similarity, US plug types don’t always share the same voltage as other countries. This varies by region, so you must ensure your devices are compatible.
The type B plug is an enhanced version of type A, as it includes an additional grounding prong.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two flat prongs plus one round grounding pin.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 100 and 127 V.
Amperage: Up to 15 A.
Where it’s used: Mexico, Colombia, United States, Canada, Japan, Ecuador, among others.
Compatibility: Works with class A and B outlets.
It’s considered a safe option among male plug types.
This is the third most widely used plug globally, especially in Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two thin round pins.
Grounding: No.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: 2.5 A, 10 A, or 16 A.
Where it’s used: Spain, France, Argentina, Italy, Germany, Peru, Chile, Turkey, Indonesia, and many more.
It’s commonly paired with female plug types E or F at home and is designed for low-power devices.
This plug has a British-origin design that is still in use in certain regions.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three cylindrical pins arranged in a triangle.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 6 A.
Where it’s used: India, Sri Lanka, Namibia, Nepal, and some areas in Africa.
Compatibility: Only with type D (some outlets allow type C, E, or F plugs, but it’s not always safe).
This is one of the oldest types of male plugs.
Among the most common within EU plug types, often found in homes and offices.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two round pins with an additional hole for grounding.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: France, Poland, Belgium, Slovakia, Czech Republic.
Compatibility: Works with types C, E, and F sockets.
Nowadays, most male plugs in Europe are E/F hybrids, allowing for more versatile use across different outlets.
It is one of the most widely used plugs in continental Europe and Russia, except in countries like the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two round pins with grounding clips on the sides.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: Germany, Spain, Austria, Russia, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece, among others.
Compatibility: Works with types C, E, and F.
The Schuko design allows for safe and symmetrical connections.
It is easily recognizable by its robust and distinctive design. However, it is not compatible with EU plug types (C or F) without an adapter.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular shape.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 13 A.
Where it’s used: United Kingdom, Qatar, Singapore, Ireland, United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, and Malta.
Compatibility: Only with type G outlets.
It includes an internal fuse, and the sockets have a shutter system that prevents objects from being inserted accidentally.
This is a plug that has been updated over time but still maintains a unique design.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three pins (two slanted round pins + one centered grounding pin at the bottom).
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: Exclusively in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
Compatibility: With plug types C and H (type E or F can also be inserted, but it's not safe).
It still presents some risks if used with old, unprotected outlets.
It is easy to identify due to the inverted "V" shape of its pins.
Its characteristics:
Design: Two or three flat pins (in an inverted "V" shape).
Grounding: Only in the three-pin version.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 10 A (without ground) / up to 15 A (with ground).
Where it’s used: Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, China, Papua New Guinea.
Compatibility: Only with type I outlets.
Although the design is unique, some modern outlets accept both versions.
It is used almost exclusively in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, and it follows a national standard not found in other countries.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three cylindrical pins, with the grounding pin located in the center, slightly offset downward.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 10 A.
Where it’s used: Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Compatibility: Works with types C and J.
Its design aims to balance safety and compactness, adapted to Swiss standards.
It shares similarities with other EU plug types, but its grounding system makes it unique.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three pins, two cylindrical for live and neutral, and one grounding pin shaped like a rod.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: Denmark and Greenland.
Compatibility: With type C and K male plugs (types E and F also fit, but are not very safe).
Since 2008, type E outlets have been allowed, and since 2011, type F as well.
This is a standard model used in Italy and Chile; it is not commonly seen outside these countries.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three cylindrical pins aligned horizontally (the center pin is the ground).
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: 10 A and 16 A (depending on the version).
Where it’s used: Italy and Chile.
Compatibility: 10 A sockets accept type C and type L plugs; 16 A sockets only accept type L.
Type L is not compatible with type F (Schuko) plugs, but in some installations, bipasso or Schuko-bipasso outlets are used.
It is distinguished by its large size and its use in high-power devices.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three thick cylindrical pins arranged in a triangular shape.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: South Africa, India (in some cases), Nepal, Namibia, Botswana.
Compatibility: Only with type M female outlets.
Its design is similar to type D but they are not compatible. Type M is larger and supports higher amperage.
It was developed as an international standard for household power outlets operating at 230 V.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three cylindrical pins (two for live and neutral, one centered for ground), with insulation at the base of the active pins.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: From 100 to 240 V.
Amperage: 10 A, 16 A, and 20 A.
Where it’s used: Brazil and South Africa.
Compatibility: Works with type N female plugs and also accepts type C plugs.
It has been the mandatory standard for new constructions in Brazil since 2011.
Its design was intended to provide greater safety, especially in domestic environments.
Its characteristics:
Design: Three cylindrical pins arranged in a triangle, with insulation on the live and neutral pins.
Grounding: Yes.
Voltage: Between 220 and 240 V.
Amperage: Up to 16 A.
Where it’s used: Official standard in Thailand.
Compatibility: Works with type O female plugs and accepts type C plugs.
Although types E and F may fit, they do not offer a secure ground connection.
As you can see, US plug types are different from those used in Europe and many other countries. The good news is that you can order a universal adapter in advance from sites like Amazon.
If you want more tips, check out these travel tips to help you better prepare for your next adventure.
Knowing the different plug types can be very useful before traveling to another country or purchasing electronic devices. Ideally, you should find out what type of plug and voltage is used in the country you are going to. This way, you ensure your electronic devices are compatible.
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