How Does Electricity & Plugs Work in Canada?
Last verified: 2025-06 · Americas
1The Quick Answer
Canada uses Type A and Type B plugs (same as the USA) at 120V/60Hz — North American devices work perfectly; European and UK devices need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
2What You Need to Know
Canada uses the same electrical system as the United States: Type A (two flat parallel pins) and Type B (two flat pins plus a round grounding pin) plugs at 120 volts and 60 Hz. Any device designed for North America will work without any adapter. Devices from Europe (230V/50Hz) or the UK (230V/50Hz with Type G plugs) require a plug adapter at minimum, and if the device is not dual-voltage (check the label for '100–240V'), a voltage converter is also needed. Most modern electronics (laptops, phone chargers, camera chargers) are dual-voltage and only need the plug adapter.
3Practical Tips
Practical Tips
- 1Check your device's power brick label — if it says '100–240V', it is dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter, not a converter
- 2UK visitors need a Type G to Type A/B adapter — available at any Canadian hardware store or airport
- 3Power banks and USB-C chargers are universally dual-voltage — no converter needed, just the right plug adapter
How does this compare?
Electricity & Plugs rules in nearby and similar countries:
Mexico uses Type A and B plugs at 127V/60Hz — identical to the USA and Canada, so North Americans need no adapter whatsoever.
Brazil uses Type N plugs (two round pins plus a grounding pin) as its national standard, but voltage varies by city — São Paulo and Rio are 127V while many other cities are 220V.
Argentina uses a unique Type I plug (three flat pins in a triangle shape) at 220V/50Hz — most visitors need a specific adapter.
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