NEMA Plug & Receptacle Chart
Interactive NEMA connector reference — every common straight-blade and twist-lock plug (5-15, 5-20, 6-15, 6-50, 10-30, 14-30, 14-50, TT-30, L5-30, L14-30…) with voltage, amperage, wiring, and what each one is used for. Filter by volts, amps, or type.
How to Use
- Browse the grid — each card shows the plug face, its NEMA designation, voltage, amperage, and common uses.
- Type in the search box to find a designation (e.g. "14-50"), a voltage, or a use ("dryer", "RV", "welder").
- Use the Voltage and Amperage chips to narrow the list; toggle Straight-blade vs Twist-lock.
- Read the designation: the first number is the configuration (voltage/poles), the number after the dash is the amp rating — so 14-50 is a 50 A version of the 14 configuration.
- Match the face on the card to the outlet on your wall or the plug on your cord to identify it.
How NEMA numbering works
About the NEMA standard
NEMA connectors are the plugs and receptacles standardized by the National Electrical Manufacturers Association for North American line-voltage power (and used across much of the Americas, Japan, and elsewhere on 120/240 V systems). The brilliance of the system is that every configuration is mechanically keyed: a 240 V dryer plug physically cannot fit a 120 V kitchen outlet, and a 50 A range cord cannot seat in a 30 A receptacle. The blade pattern is the safety interlock.
The numbering looks cryptic but is consistent. The number before the dash names a configuration — a specific voltage and arrangement of poles and wires. The common ones: 1 is 125 V two-wire (ungrounded, now obsolete); 5 is 125 V grounding (your everyday wall outlet); 6 is 250 V grounding (window AC, tools, welders); 10 is the old 3-wire 120/240 V (legacy dryers and ranges, no ground); 14 is the modern 4-wire 120/240 V (today's dryers, ranges, EV, RV); and TT is the 120 V 30 A travel-trailer connector. The number after the dash is simply the amp rating. An L in front means it is a locking (twist-lock) version.
The most consequential split in the table is 3-wire versus 4-wire. Before the 1996 National Electrical Code, dryers and ranges used the 10-series (10-30, 10-50), which bonded neutral and ground together at the appliance. New construction since then requires the 14-series (14-30, 14-50) with a separate equipment ground. The two are not interchangeable, and converting safely between them is a wiring change, not just a different plug — which is exactly why a clear, accurate chart matters before you buy an adapter.
Everything here is a reference, not a substitute for code-compliant work. Circuit ampacity, breaker sizing, wire gauge, and grounding all have to be correct for the connector to be safe — have a licensed electrician size and install anything you are unsure about. This chart runs entirely in your browser; nothing is uploaded.
About the NEMA Plug & Receptacle Chart
Whether you are at a desk or on your phone, the NEMA Plug & Receptacle Chart makes electronics and circuit design easy — and it is completely free. Interactive NEMA connector reference — every common straight-blade and twist-lock plug (5-15, 5-20, 6-15, 6-50, 10-30, 14-30, 14-50, TT-30, L5-30, L14-30…) with voltage, amperage, wiring, and what each one is used for. Filter by volts, amps, or type.
How it works
Everything is laid out so you can find what you need fast. There are no long tables to dig through. The page also works without internet once it has loaded, so you can use it anywhere.
Want the deeper story? The Knowledge Base explains the ideas behind the tools in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I read a NEMA designation like 14-50?
Two parts split by a dash. The first number is the <strong>configuration</strong> — it encodes the voltage and the number of poles/wires (for example, 5 = 125 V grounding, 6 = 250 V grounding, 14 = 125/250 V 4-wire). The number after the dash is the <strong>current rating</strong> in amps (15, 20, 30, 50…). An <strong>L</strong> prefix (L14-30) means it is a locking / twist-lock connector. So 14-50 is the 4-wire 120/240 V configuration rated 50 A.
What's the difference between 10-30 and 14-30 (and 10-50 vs 14-50)?
Wire count. The old <strong>10-30</strong> and <strong>10-50</strong> are 3-wire (two hots + neutral, <em>no separate ground</em>) — the standard for dryers and ranges before the 1996 NEC. The modern <strong>14-30</strong> and <strong>14-50</strong> are 4-wire (two hots + neutral + ground), required for new installations. They are not interchangeable; a 4-wire appliance cord cannot safely be used on a 3-wire outlet without the proper bonding changes.
Is 14-50 the right outlet for EV charging?
It's the most common one. A NEMA <strong>14-50</strong> (120/240 V, 50 A) on a dedicated circuit delivers up to 40 A continuous (the 80% rule), enough for most Level 2 EV charging. NEMA <strong>6-50</strong> (240 V, 50 A, no neutral) is also widely used for chargers and welders. Always have the circuit, breaker, and wire gauge sized by a licensed electrician.
What does the "T-slot" on a 5-20 / 6-20 receptacle mean?
The T-shaped neutral slot lets a 20 A receptacle accept both 15 A and 20 A plugs. A 20 A plug has one blade turned 90° (a T-blade) so it only fits a 20 A outlet — preventing a 20 A appliance from being plugged into a 15 A circuit it could overload.
Why are some plugs twist-lock (the L types)?
Locking connectors rotate to latch, so they can't vibrate or get yanked loose — essential for generators, stage gear, RV shore power, and industrial equipment where an accidental disconnect is dangerous or disruptive. They carry the same voltage/amp logic as straight-blade types, just with curved locking blades.
What is the 80% / continuous-load rule?
A circuit feeding a continuous load (3+ hours — EV charging, space heaters) should be loaded to no more than 80% of the breaker rating. So a 50 A circuit is good for 40 A continuous, a 30 A circuit for 24 A. This is why a 14-50 outlet is rated 50 A but EV chargers on it are set to 40 A.
Does the plug shape guarantee the voltage?
The configuration is <em>designed</em> so you can't cross-connect incompatible voltages — a 240 V plug won't fit a 120 V outlet. But the wall outlet is only as correct as its wiring. Never assume; verify with a meter or outlet tester, especially on older or DIY installations.
How do I use the NEMA Plug & Receptacle Chart?
Just type your numbers. The answer shows up right away — there is no button to press. Change anything and it updates by itself.
Is it free? Does it work without internet?
Yes to both. It is free with no sign-up, and once the page has loaded it keeps working even with no internet.
Where does my data go?
Nowhere — every calculation runs on your own device. Nothing you enter is uploaded, logged, or stored.
Common Use Cases
Identify an outlet or cord
Match the face on the wall or the plug on an appliance to figure out exactly what you have.
Buying the right adapter or cord
Confirm the source and destination configurations before ordering a pigtail, adapter, or replacement cord.
EV & RV hookups
Check whether a 14-50, TT-30, or 6-50 matches your charger or shore-power cord.
Appliance installs
Confirm whether a range or dryer needs a 3-wire (10-30/10-50) or 4-wire (14-30/14-50) connection.
Generators & shore power
Identify the L5-30, L14-30, or TT-30 locking/RV connectors on portable power.
Learning & teaching
A clear, searchable map of how the NEMA numbering system actually works.
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