Electricity & Plugs Rules in Every Country
What plug type is used? What voltage? Do I need a converter?
Japan
Asia
Japan uses Type A plugs (flat 2-pin) at 100V — the lowest voltage in the world. Check your device labels before use.
Warning⛔Using incompatible appliances at Japan's 100V can damage them or cause them to overheat. Always check the voltage rating on your device before plugging in.
UAE
Middle East
The UAE uses Type G plugs (British 3-pin square) at 230V/50Hz — the same as the UK.
NormalThailand
Asia
Thailand uses 220V/50Hz and accepts Type A, B, and C plugs, meaning most international devices plug in without an adapter.
NormalGermany
Europe
Germany uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same standard as most of continental Europe.
NormalUK
Europe
The UK uses Type G (3-pin square) plugs at 230V/50Hz — virtually all visitors except those from Ireland need an adapter.
NormalFrance
Europe
France uses Type E plugs at 230V/50Hz — UK and US visitors need a plug adapter, though a standard European travel adapter covers French sockets.
NormalAustralia
Oceania
Australia uses Type I plugs (3 angled flat pins) at 230V/50Hz — UK and US visitors need a plug adapter.
NormalSingapore
Asia
Singapore uses Type G British 3-pin square plugs at 230V/50Hz — US and European visitors will need a plug adapter.
NormalItaly
Europe
Italy uses 230V/50Hz with its own unique Type L plug (three round pins in a row), though Type C adapters usually fit; bring a universal adapter to be safe.
NormalTurkey
Europe/Asia
Turkey uses Type C and Type F (European round-pin) plugs at 230V/50Hz — UK and US visitors will need adapters.
NormalMexico
Americas
Mexico uses Type A and B plugs at 127V/60Hz — identical to the USA and Canada, so North Americans need no adapter whatsoever.
NormalSpain
Europe
Spain uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — British visitors need a plug adapter and American visitors need both an adapter and a voltage converter for older devices.
NormalBrazil
Americas
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.
Warning⛔Brazil's split voltage system (127V vs 220V by city) is a genuine risk to electronics — plugging a 127V-only device into a 220V socket without a transformer will permanently damage or destroy it.
India
Asia
India uses Type C, D, and M plugs at 230V/50Hz — carry a Type D adapter (the large 3-pin British-style round pin) as it is the most common standard.
Warning⛔Voltage fluctuations are common in rural India. Plugging expensive electronics directly into wall sockets without a surge protector risks damage.
China
Asia
China uses 220V/50Hz with Type A (two flat pins) and Type I (two angled flat pins) sockets — most travelers need an adapter.
NormalSouth Korea
Asia
South Korea uses Type C and Type F (European-style round-pin) plugs at 220V/60Hz — American visitors need an adapter.
NormalVietnam
Asia
Vietnam uses 220V/50Hz with a mix of Type A, C, and F sockets — bring a universal multi-adapter.
NormalGreece
Europe
Greece uses Type C/F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — British visitors need an adapter and American visitors need both an adapter and voltage converter.
NormalPortugal
Europe
Portugal uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz, the same as most of continental Europe.
NormalNetherlands
Europe
The Netherlands uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — standard for continental Europe, but UK and US travellers need adapters.
NormalCanada
Americas
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.
NormalIndonesia
Asia
Indonesia uses Type C and Type F plugs (European two-pin round) at 220V/50Hz — the same as most of Europe; American visitors need both an adapter and a voltage converter for older devices.
Warning⛔Using a 110V US device on Indonesia's 220V supply without a voltage converter will destroy the device. Always check the voltage label on your device before plugging in.
Malaysia
Asia
Malaysia uses Type G plugs (British 3-pin square), 240V/50Hz — UK devices work directly, while US and European visitors need an adapter.
NormalEgypt
Middle East
Egypt uses Type C and Type F (European round-pin) sockets at 220V/50Hz — UK and US visitors need a plug adapter.
NormalMorocco
Middle East
Morocco uses Type C/E plugs (French-style round pins) at 220V/50Hz — European plugs work directly, but UK and US visitors need adapters.
NormalSaudi Arabia
Middle East
Saudi Arabia uses both Type G (UK 3-pin) and Type A/B (US 2/3-pin) plugs, and both 127V and 220V voltages — a universal adapter is essential.
Warning⛔Different outlets in the same building can run on 127V or 220V. Plugging a 127V-only device into a 220V outlet will damage or destroy it. Always verify voltage compatibility before connecting.
Qatar
Middle East
Qatar uses Type G (British 3-pin) plugs at 240V/50Hz — UK visitors need no adapter, but US and most European visitors will need one.
NormalSouth Africa
Africa & Oceania
South Africa uses Type M (large 3-pin round) plugs at 230V/50Hz — unique to South Africa and hard to find elsewhere; buy an adapter at the airport on arrival.
Warning⛔Load shedding (scheduled power cuts) is a major ongoing issue in South Africa and can last 2–12 hours daily. This affects ATMs, petrol stations, restaurants, and phone charging. A portable battery bank is strongly recommended.
New Zealand
Africa & Oceania
New Zealand uses Type I plugs (three flat angled pins, same as Australia) at 230V/50Hz — UK and US visitors need an adapter.
NormalPhilippines
Asia
Type A and B flat-pin plugs (same as the USA) are standard; voltage is 220V at 60Hz — check your device's voltage rating before plugging in.
NormalArgentina
Americas
Argentina uses a unique Type I plug (three flat pins in a triangle shape) at 220V/50Hz — most visitors need a specific adapter.
Warning⛔Plugging a 110V-only device (some US hairdryers, older appliances) directly into an Argentine socket without a voltage converter will destroy the device and may cause a fire.
Colombia
Americas
Colombia uses Type A and B plugs at 110V/60Hz — the same as the USA and Canada; European visitors need both an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
NormalCosta Rica
Americas
Costa Rica uses Type A and B plugs at 120V/60Hz — identical to the United States and Canada, so North American visitors need no adapter.
NormalPeru
Americas
Peru uses 220V/60Hz with Type A and Type C sockets, so North American visitors need a voltage adapter and European visitors need a plug adapter.
NormalSwitzerland
Europe
Switzerland uses the unique Type J three-pin recessed plug — bring a universal adapter as Swiss sockets accept Type C but not UK or US plugs.
NormalAustria
Europe
Austria uses Type C/F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of continental Europe; UK and US visitors need adapters.
NormalCzech Republic
Europe
Czech Republic uses Type C/E plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of continental Europe.
NormalPoland
Europe
Poland uses Type C and Type E plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of continental Europe; UK and US visitors need plug adapters.
NormalSweden
Europe
Sweden uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of mainland Europe, so UK and US visitors need adapters but most Europeans do not.
CautionNorway
Europe
Norway uses Type C and F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of continental Europe, so most European devices work without an adapter.
NormalCroatia
Europe
Croatia uses Type C/F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same as most of mainland Europe; UK and US visitors need adapters.
NormalHungary
Europe
Hungary uses Type C and Type F (Schuko) plugs at 230V/50Hz — the same standard as most of continental Europe.
NormalJordan
Middle East
Jordan uses multiple plug types — Type B, C, F, and G — at 230V/50Hz; bring a universal adapter to be safe.
NormalSri Lanka
Asia
Sri Lanka uses Type D (3-pin round) and Type G (British 3-pin square) sockets at 230V/50Hz — bring both adapters or a universal adapter.
NormalNepal
Asia
Nepal uses Type C, D, and M sockets at 230V/50Hz — bring a universal adapter as plug types vary even within the same building.
NormalHong Kong
Asia
Hong Kong uses Type G plugs (British 3-pin square) at 220V/50Hz — the same as the UK — so US and European visitors need an adapter.
NormalMaldives
Africa & Oceania
The Maldives uses 230V/50Hz — socket types are primarily Type D (Indian 3-pin) and Type G (British 3-pin), so bring an adapter.
NormalKenya
Africa & Oceania
Kenya uses Type G (British 3-pin square) plugs at 240V/50Hz — the same as the UK; US and European visitors need adapters.
NormalTanzania
Africa & Oceania
Tanzania uses Type G (British 3-pin) sockets at 230V/50Hz, and power cuts are common — a power bank is essential for safaris.
Warning⛔Do not rely on USB charging in safari vehicles — voltage from vehicle sockets can be inconsistent and may damage sensitive electronics; use a power bank instead.
United States
Americas
The US uses Type A and Type B flat-pin plugs at 120V/60Hz — visitors from Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa need both a plug adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
Warning⛔Plugging a 220V hair dryer or appliance into a 120V US outlet without a voltage converter will damage the device — always check the voltage rating before plugging in.