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The plug shape dilemma can be a nightmare for travelers, especially if you’re planning to visit various countries – why oh why can’t there just be one plug shape that fits all? Worry no more; Travel Fashion Girl has put together the ultimate power outlet guide for determining which plug to use in what country!
International Power Outlet Guide
by Chantelle Malin
Plug shapes, holes, sizes and sockets vary in different countries, meaning a plug adapter is necessary to ensure your appliances from home can work abroad. However be warned, check the voltage as well, a hairdryer designed for use in North America could cause an involuntary fireworks display if plugged into a European socket.
This power outlet guide will give you a full breakdown on everything you need to know about plug shapes and sizes for each country around the world and you can find suggested travel gadgets at the end of the post.
Please read this voltage guide to learn about the difference between travel adapters and converters.
We use and recommend the Universal World Wide Travel Charger Adapter Plug which works worldwide (except in South Africa as explained below). While it doesn’t act as a converter for your power supply, it’s a great value and offers a relatively compact option for those of you looking for an easy solution for international travel.
Plug Adapters
Here’s a quick look of the plugs and sockets used around the world. You can read more about each of them in the article below.
TYPE A
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!
Worth a note -Both A and B plugs are amongst the most dangerous types in the world, the prongs are not insulated – meaning if the plug is pulled halfway out its prongs are still connected to the socket, increasing the risk of electrocution. Always make sure you’re electronics are properly disconnected!
TYPE B
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
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.
Worth a note: Only the SOCKETS have become illegal, the type C plug fits into type E, F, J, K, and N sockets.
TYPE D
Used mainly in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Namibia
Power outlet type D has three large round pins in a triangular pattern and is a rated at 5 amps, along with type A and B, the type D plugs are amongst the most dangerous ones in the world – they again feature prongs that are not insulated, increasing the risk of electrocution.
TYPE E
Primarily used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Tunisia and Morocco
Power outlet type E is fairly similar to that of C, with the plug featuring two round prongs, with the exception that the type E socket includes an ‘earth pin’ that fits into the slot located on the plug.
TYPE F
Used in (amongst others) Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Portugal, Spain and Eastern Europe
Power outlet type F was designed in Germany shortly after the First World War, it is commonly known as the ‘Schuko plug’ which is the acronym of the German word ‘Schutzkontakt’ translating as ‘protection contact’. It is similar to a type C plug except that it has the addition of two earth clips on the side of the plug; generally a type C plug fits perfectly in the above socket.
TYPE G
Mainly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong
Power outlet type G has three rectangular prongs that form a triangle, it is in no doubt that the type G plugs are the safest in the world, however have often been described as being ‘hulking’, ‘cumbersome’ and ‘bigger that the appliance they’re connected to’ (being from the UK I can confidently say this is a SLIGHT exaggeration).
TYPE H
Used exclusively in Israel
Power outlet type H is unique to Israel, it has two flat prongs – similarly to plug B – however they form a V shape rather than being parallel, they also include an earth pin, in the 80’s the holes of the plugs were made round in order to accommodate type C plugs as well. Along with the other plugs mention the type H plug can be dangerous, containing no insulation to protect from electrocution. The plug is also used in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
TYPE I
Mainly used in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Argentina
Power outlet type I features 3 pins, two flat prongs and a earth pin, that form a V shape, there is also a ungrounded version of the plug, featuring only two flat V shaped prongs. Although there are minor differences, the type I plug can fit with the sockets used in mainland China.
TYPE J
Used almost exclusively in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Power outlet type J is similar to the C plug, except that it has the addition of an earth pin, a type C plug can fit into a type J socket.
TYPE K
Used exclusively in Denmark, Greenland and the Faeroe Islands
Power outlet type K is similar to that of F, except that it has an earth pin instead of grounding clips; again a type C plug generally fits into a type K socket. Denmark features a large amount of E/F plugs; because of this the Danish government chose to make it legal to install type E and F sockets as well.
TYPE L
Used almost exclusively in Italy and randomly found throughout North Africa
Power outlet type L features two different styles (a 10 and 16 amp variety) that have different prong thickness and spacing, the 10 amp socket is compatible with type C plugs. Nowadays universal sockets are become more popular, a ‘bipasso’ socket accepts L and C plugs, whereas the universal ‘schuko’ accepts C, E, F and L plugs.
TYPE M
Used almost exclusively in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho
Power outlet type M is similar to the Indian type D; however its pins are much larger, even though the type D plug is standard in India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Namibia, type M can be also used, generally for larger appliances – some power outlets can take both M and D plugs; it is also used in Israel for heavy appliances.
Please note: the type M is the one plug style that is usually NOT included in worldwide travel adapters.
TYPE N
Used almost exclusively in Brazil
Power outlet type N consists of two pins and an earth pin, is very similar in look to the Swiss type J standard, however it is incompatible as the type N earth pin is in a slightly different position. Like the type M, the above plug features two versions (one at 10amps and one at 20amps), like many the N socket has been designed to accommodate the type C plug.
Travel Gadget Ideas
TFG TOP PICK for worldwide travel:
Compass Rose Travel Adapter Plug
International Travel Worldwide Plug Adapter Set
Worldwide adapter plus USB charger:
International Worldwide Travel Plug Adapter with Dual USB Chargers
Expand your power supply options:
3-Outlet Mini Travel Swivel Charger Surge Protector with Dual USB Ports
Do you travel with a single or multi-country travel adapter?
Please read these posts for more travel packing tips:
- 8 Useful Things to Make Long Journeys More Comfortable
- The Budget Travel Essentials You Don’t Want to Forget
- How to Keep Your Passport Safe While Traveling
- Do you Need to Pack these 7 Travel Products? Maybe, Maybe not
Please note that the C will not always fit into a J for two reasons:
1) The J socket is quite often inside a hexagonal recess and the pins on a normal EU plug, are not long enough to make contact however sometimes the sockets do not have this hexagonal surround.
2) The pins on a C plug are quite often thicker than those used on a J plug, so if you are lucky enough to find a socket without the hexagonal shape as mentioned above, the C plug pins are too thick for the J socket.
As a quick hack, you can cut off the earth pin of a J plug and as a result you now have a plug that will fit a C socket and G (if you insert something into the earth pin opening, to open the live and neutral small doors on the G socket).
Hi Chris, thank you for sharing this with us! 🙂
I just bought this to use in Spain next month. I have an adapter for my camera battery charger but otherwise, I’m looking forward to using this!