The IEC recognizes 15 plug and socket types, A to O. North America uses Types A and B at 120 V, 60 Hz (120 V, 60 Hz, Type A/B in the US); the UK uses Type G at 230 V, 50 Hz; Germany 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C/F; France 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C/E; Japan 100 V, 50/60 Hz, Type A/B; Australia 230 V, 50 Hz, Type I; India 230 V, 50 Hz, Type C/D/M; China 220 V, 50 Hz, Type A/I. Of the 216 countries and territories the IEC lists, 182 have a 220–240 V supply and 45 a 100–127 V supply, and 174 run at 50 Hz. A plug adapter changes only the shape, not the voltage. All data is from the IEC's World Plugs database. For North American 15–50 A plug configurations see the NEMA Plug Chart.
Plug types A to O
- Used in
- North and Central America, Japan
- Pins
- Two flat parallel pins
- Earth
- No
- Rating
- Not stated by IEC
Ungrounded. On the American plug the neutral pin is wider than the live pin; on the Japanese plug both pins are the same size, so Japanese plugs fit US sockets but often not the other way round. Holes near the pin tips grip "bumps" in some sockets.
- Used in
- North and Central America, Japan
- Pins
- Two flat parallel pins and a round earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 15 A
The earth pin is longer than the other two, so the device is earthed before power connects. American and Japanese versions differ slightly.
- Used in
- Europe except the UK, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta
- Pins
- Two round pins (Europlug)
- Earth
- No
- Rating
- 2.5 A
Two-wire plug that fits any socket taking 4.0 to 4.8 mm round contacts on 19 mm centres, so it also works in E, F, J, K and N sockets. Generally limited to appliances needing 2.5 A or less.
- Used in
- India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Namibia
- Pins
- Three large round pins in a triangle
- Earth
- Not stated by IEC
- Rating
- 5 A
Type M is often used alongside D for larger appliances, and some sockets take both D and M plugs.
- Used in
- France, Belgium, Slovakia, Tunisia and others
- Pins
- Two 4.8 mm round pins 19 mm apart, plus a hole for the socket's earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 16 A
Round plug body; the socket has a round recess. The CEE 7/7 plug fits both E and F sockets.
- Used in
- Germany, Austria, the Netherlands, Spain and others
- Pins
- Two 4.8 mm round pins 19 mm apart, with two earth clips on the sides (Schuko)
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 16 A
Like Type E but with side earth clips instead of a female earth contact. The CEE 7/7 plug has both clips and a female contact, so it fits E and F sockets.
- Used in
- UK, Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong
- Pins
- Three rectangular blades in a triangle
- Earth
- Not stated by IEC
- Rating
- Not stated by IEC
Has a fuse inside the plug: usually 3 A for small appliances such as a computer and 13 A for heavy appliances such as heaters. British sockets have shutters on the live and neutral contacts.
- Used in
- Israel
- Pins
- Two flat pins in a V plus an earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- Not stated by IEC
Being phased out in favour of a round-pin version. Type H sockets are wide in the middle so they also take the round-pin version and Type C plugs.
- Used in
- Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Argentina
- Pins
- Two flat pins in a V plus an earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 10 (15 A version) A
A two-pin version without earth also exists. The Australian plug also works with sockets in China. The 15 A version has a wider earth pin: a 10 A plug fits a 15 A socket but not the reverse.
- Used in
- Switzerland and Liechtenstein
- Pins
- Two round pins plus an earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 10 A
Looks like Type N but does not fit a Type N socket, because its earth pin is further from the centre line. Type C plugs fit Type J sockets.
- Used in
- Denmark and Greenland
- Pins
- Two round pins plus an earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- Not stated by IEC
Similar to Type F, but with an earth pin instead of earth clips. Type C plugs fit. Type E plugs and sockets are also used in Denmark.
- Used in
- Italy
- Pins
- Two round pins with an earth pin in line between them
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 10 or 16 A
10 A version: 4 mm pins 5.5 mm apart. 16 A version: 5 mm pins 8 mm apart. Italy also has a "universal" socket combining a Schuko socket (C, E, F, L plugs) and a "bipasso" socket (L and C plugs).
- Used in
- South Africa, Swaziland, Lesotho
- Pins
- Three round pins in a triangle, much larger than Type D
- Earth
- Not stated by IEC
- Rating
- Not stated by IEC
Used for bigger appliances in countries that use Type D, and in Israel, so some sockets there accept Type M.
- Used in
- Brazil
- Pins
- Two round pins plus an earth pin
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 10 or 20 A
10 A version: 4 mm pins. 20 A version: 4.8 mm pins. Type N sockets also take Type C plugs. Brazil uses 127 V in most states and 220 V in some, so check the local voltage.
- Used in
- Thailand
- Pins
- Two round power pins and a round earth pin, 4.8 mm diameter
- Earth
- Yes
- Rating
- 16 A
Thai standard TIS 166-2549, designed in 2006 and being phased in gradually. Power pins are 19 mm long with 10 mm insulated sleeves, centres 19 mm apart.
Which plugs fit which sockets
- Type C (Europlug) fits any socket that takes 4.0–4.8 mm round pins 19 mm apart, so it works in E, F, J, K and N sockets, and in Type H sockets (which are wide in the middle). It is meant for appliances drawing 2.5 A or less.
- CEE 7/7: a plug with both side earth clips and a hole for an earth pin, so the same plug fits Type E (France, Belgium) and Type F (Germany, Netherlands) sockets.
- A and B: a Japanese Type A plug (equal pins) fits US sockets; a US plug with a wider neutral pin often does not fit Japanese sockets.
- I: the Australian plug also works in Chinese sockets. A 10 A plug fits a 15 A Australian socket, but the 15 A plug (wider earth pin) does not fit a 10 A socket.
- J and N look alike, but a Swiss Type J plug does not fit a Brazilian Type N socket because its earth pin is further from the centre line. Type C fits both.
- D and M (India, southern Africa): some sockets take both.
- L (Italy): the "universal" socket combines a Schuko socket (C, E, F and L plugs) with a "bipasso" socket (L and C).
- Voltage is separate from shape. Brazil, for example, uses 127 V in most states and 220 V in some; the IEC notes that the wrong voltage can destroy an appliance, so check the appliance's rating label as well as the plug.
Voltage, frequency and plug types by country
| Location | Voltage (V) | Frequency (Hz) | Plug types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Albania | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Algeria | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| American Samoa | 120 | 60 | A, B, F, I |
| Andorra | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Angola | 220 | 50 | C |
| Anguilla | 110 | 60 | A |
| Antigua and Barbuda | 230 | 60 | A, B |
| Argentina | 220 | 50 | I |
| Armenia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Aruba | 127 | 60 | A, B, F |
| Australia | 230 | 50 | I |
| Austria | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Azerbaijan | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Bahamas | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Bahrain | 230 | 50 | G |
| Bangladesh | 220 | 50 | C, D, G, K |
| Barbados | 115 | 50 | A, B |
| Belarus | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Belgium | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Belize | 110 / 220 | 60 | A, B, G |
| Benin | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Bermuda | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Bhutan | 230 | 50 | C, D, F, G, M |
| Bolivia | 115 / 230 | 50 | A, C |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Botswana | 230 | 50 | D, G, M |
| Brazil | 127 / 220 | 60 | C, N |
| British Virgin Islands | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Brunei Darussalam | 240 | 50 | G |
| Bulgaria | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Burkina Faso | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Burma | 230 | 50 | C, D, F, G |
| Burundi | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Cambodia | 230 | 50 | A, C, G |
| Cameroon | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Canada | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Cape Verde | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Cayman Islands | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Central African Republic | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Chad | 220 | 50 | C, D, E, F |
| Chile | 220 | 50 | C, L |
| China | 220 | 50 | A, I |
| Colombia | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Comoros | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Congo, Republic of the | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Cook Islands | 240 | 50 | I |
| Costa Rica | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Cote d Ivoire | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Croatia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Cuba | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Cyprus | 240 | 50 | G |
| Czech Republic | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 220 | 50 | C, D, E |
| Denmark | 230 | 50 | C, E, F, K |
| Djibouti | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Dominica | 230 | 50 | D, G |
| Dominican Republic | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Ecuador | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Egypt | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| El Salvador | 115 | 60 | A, B |
| Equatorial Guinea | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Eritrea | 230 | 50 | C, L |
| Estonia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Ethiopia | 220 | 50 | C, F, L |
| Falkland Islands (Malvinas) | 240 | 50 | G |
| Faroe Islands | 230 | 50 | C, E, F, K |
| Fiji | 240 | 50 | I |
| Finland | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| France | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| French Guiana | 220 | 50 | C, D, E |
| Gabon | 220 | 50 | C |
| Gambia | 230 | 50 | G |
| Georgia | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Germany | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Ghana | 230 | 50 | D, G |
| Gibraltar | 240 | 50 | C, G |
| Greece | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Greenland | 230 | 50 | C, E, F, K |
| Grenada | 230 | 50 | G |
| Guadeloupe | 230 | 50 | C, D, E |
| Guam | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Guatemala | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Guinea | 220 | 50 | C, F, K |
| Guinea-Bissau | 220 | 50 | C |
| Guyana | 240 | 60 | A, B, D, G |
| Haiti | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Honduras | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Hong Kong | 220 | 50 | D, G |
| Hungary | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Iceland | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| India | 230 | 50 | C, D, M |
| Indonesia | 220 / 110 | 50 | C, F |
| Iran (Islamic Republic of) | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Iraq | 230 | 50 | C, D, G |
| Ireland | 230 | 50 | G |
| Isle of Man | 240 | 50 | C, G |
| Israel | 230 | 50 | H |
| Italy | 230 | 50 | C, F, L |
| Jamaica | 110 | 50 | A, B |
| Japan | 100 | 50 / 60 | A, B |
| Jordan | 230 | 50 | B, C, D, F, G, J |
| Kazakhstan | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Kenya | 240 | 50 | G |
| Kiribati | 240 | 50 | I |
| Korea, Democratic Peoples Republic of | 220 / 110 | 50 / 60 | A, C, F |
| Korea, Republic of | 220 | 60 | C, F |
| Kuwait | 240 | 50 | C, G, M |
| Kyrgyzstan | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Lao Peoples Democratic Republic | 230 | 50 | A, B, C, E, F |
| Latvia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Lebanon | 220 | 50 | A, B, C, D, G |
| Lesotho | 220 | 50 | M |
| Liberia | 120 / 220 | 50 / 60 | A, B, C, E, F |
| Libyan Arab Jamahiriya | 127 / 230 | 50 | C, D, F, L |
| Liechtenstein | 230 | 50 | C, J |
| Lithuania | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Luxembourg | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Macau | 220 | 50 | D, F, G, M |
| Macedonia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Madagascar | 127 / 220 | 50 | C, D, E, J, K |
| Malawi | 230 | 50 | G |
| Malaysia | 240 | 50 | A, C, G, M |
| Malta | 230 | 50 | G |
| Martinique | 220 | 50 | C, D, E |
| Mauritania | 220 | 50 | C |
| Mauritius | 230 | 50 | C, G |
| Mexico | 127 | 60 | A, B |
| Micronesia, Federated States of | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Monaco | 230 | 50 | C, D, E, F |
| Mongolia | 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Montenegro | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Montserrat | 230 | 60 | A, B |
| Morocco | 127 / 220 | 50 | C, E |
| Mozambique | 220 | 50 | C, F, M |
| Namibia | 220 | 50 | D, M |
| Nauru | 240 | 50 | I |
| Nepal | 230 | 50 | C, D, M |
| Netherlands | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Netherlands Antilles | 127 / 220 | 50 | A, B, C, F |
| New Caledonia | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| New Zealand | 230 | 50 | I |
| Nicaragua | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Nigeria | 230 | 50 | D, G |
| Norway | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Oman | 240 | 50 | G |
| Pakistan | 230 | 50 | C, D, G, M |
| Palau | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Panama | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Papua New Guinea | 240 | 50 | I |
| Paraguay | 220 | 50 | C |
| Peru | 220 | 60 | A, B, C |
| Philippines | 230 | 60 | A, B, C |
| Poland | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Portugal | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Puerto Rico | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Qatar | 240 | 50 | G |
| Republic of Moldova | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Republic of Niger | 220 | 50 | A, B, C, D, E, F |
| Reunion | 220 | 50 | E |
| Romania | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Russia | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Rwanda | 230 | 50 | C, E, F, G |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | 230 | 60 | A, B, D, G |
| Saint Lucia | 240 | 50 | G |
| Saint Martin | 120 / 220 | 60 | C, F |
| Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 230 | 50 | A, C, E, G, I, K |
| Samoa | 230 | 50 | I |
| San Marino | 230 | 50 | C, F, L |
| Sao Tome and Principe | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Saudi Arabia | 220 / 230 | 60 | G |
| Senegal | 230 | 50 | C, D, E, K |
| Serbia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Seychelles | 240 | 50 | G |
| Sierra Leone | 230 | 50 | D, G |
| Singapore | 230 | 50 | C, G, M |
| Slovakia | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Slovenia | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Solomon Islands | 220 | 50 | G, I |
| Somalia | 220 | 50 | C |
| South Africa | 230 | 50 | C, M, N |
| Spain | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Sri Lanka | 230 | 50 | D, G, M |
| Sudan | 230 | 50 | C, D |
| Suriname | 127 | 60 | C, F |
| Swaziland | 230 | 50 | M |
| Sweden | 230 | 50 | C, F |
| Switzerland | 230 | 50 | C, J |
| Syrian Arab Republic | 220 | 50 | C, E, L |
| Taiwan, Province of China | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Tajikistan | 220 | 50 | C, F, I |
| Thailand | 220 | 50 | A, B, C, F, O |
| Timor-Leste | 220 | 50 | C, E, F, I |
| Togo | 220 | 50 | C |
| Tonga | 240 | 50 | I |
| Trinidad and Tobago | 115 | 60 | A, B |
| Tunisia | 230 | 50 | C, E |
| Turkey | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| Turkmenistan | 220 | 50 | B, C, F |
| Turks and Caicos Islands | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Tuvalu | 220 | 50 | I |
| Uganda | 240 | 50 | G |
| Ukraine | 220 | 50 | C, F |
| United Arab Emirates | 230 | 50 | G, M |
| United Kingdom | 230 | 50 | G |
| United Republic of Tanzania | 230 | 50 | D, G |
| United States | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| United States Virgin Islands | 110 | 60 | A, B |
| Uruguay | 230 | 50 | C, F, L |
| Uzbekistan | 220 | 50 | C, I |
| Vanuatu | 220 | 50 | C, G, I |
| Venezuela | 120 | 60 | A, B |
| Vietnam | 220 | 50 | A, B, C |
| Yemen | 240 | 50 | D, G, M |
| Zambia | 230 | 50 | C, D, G |
| Zimbabwe | 220 | 50 | D, G |
Reading the country table
- Names, voltages, frequencies and plug letters are exactly as the IEC lists them, including older names such as Burma, Swaziland, Netherlands Antilles and Libyan Arab Jamahiriya. Some locations list two values, such as Brazil (127 V / 220 V) or Japan (50 Hz / 60 Hz); for Brazil the IEC explains that most states use 127 V and some 220 V.
- Many locations list several plug types. The IEC notes that some types are being phased in or out (Type O in Thailand, the flat-pin Type H in Israel, Type C sockets in Europe being replaced by E, F, J, K or N) but does not say which type is most common in each place.
- Type counts across all 216 locations: A 53, B 48, C 131, D 35, E 37, F 74, G 51, H 1, I 19, J 4, K 8, L 8, M 17, N 2, O 1.
- "Earth: not stated by IEC" on the D, G and M cards means the IEC text describes three pins without saying which is the earth; it does not mean those plugs are unearthed.
Sources
- International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), World Plugs (plug type descriptions A–O and the location list with voltage, frequency and plug types), iec.ch/world-plugs. iec.ch refuses scripted requests, so the Internet Archive capture of 16 August 2026 was read on 6 October 2026: web.archive.org/web/20260816170935/https://www.iec.ch/world-plugs.
- The complete list is kept in one data file, assets/data/world-plugs.json, so this page and any tool that uses it show the same values.
- Type O details (TIS 166-2549, 16 A, 4.8 mm pins) are from the IEC page, which cites the Thai Industrial Standard.
Frequently asked questions
What plug type does the UK use?
Type G: three rectangular blades in a triangle, with a fuse inside the plug (usually 3 A for small appliances such as a computer and 13 A for heavy ones such as heaters). The UK supply is 230 V at 50 Hz. Type G is also used in Ireland, Cyprus, Malta, Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Will a US plug work in Europe?
Not directly. The US uses Types A and B at 120 V, 60 Hz; most of continental Europe uses Types C, E and F at 230 V, 50 Hz. An adapter only changes the plug shape: the appliance must also be rated for 230 V, because, as the IEC warns, the wrong voltage can destroy an appliance. Check its rating label before plugging in.
Which plug types are compatible with each other?
Per the IEC: Type C (Europlug) fits E, F, J, K and N sockets, and Type H sockets; the CEE 7/7 plug fits both E and F sockets; a Japanese Type A plug fits US sockets but a polarized US plug often does not fit Japanese ones; an Australian Type I plug works in Chinese sockets; a 10 A Type I plug fits a 15 A socket but not the reverse; Type J and Type N look alike but are not interchangeable.
What voltage and frequency does Japan use?
The IEC lists Japan at 100 V with both 50 Hz and 60 Hz, and Type A and B plugs. Appliances that are not rated for both frequencies should be checked before use. Japanese Type A plugs have two equal-width pins, unlike the polarized US version.
How many countries use 230 V?
Of the 216 countries and territories on the IEC World Plugs list, 182 have a 220–240 V supply and 45 a 100–127 V supply (some list both); 174 use 50 Hz and 45 use 60 Hz. Type C is the most widespread plug, listed for 131 locations.