Pick your home country, your destination, and the device. The calculator returns a plain-English answer: safe to plug in, needs an adapter, or needs a converter — and why.
§ The calculator
Will my charger survive the trip?
Pick origin, destination, and device type. We'll tell you exactly what to bring.
Tip · Check your device label for "INPUT: 100–240V" → dual voltage
§ Awaiting input
Select your countries to begin.
We'll analyze electrical compatibility for your trip.
§ 01 · The basics
Voltage bands, single vs dual.
The whole question reduces to two checks: does your device handle the destination's voltage band, and is the plug shape compatible?
Voltage bands
Two zones, worldwide.
The world uses two main electrical voltage standards. Devices within the same band are generally compatible. Crossing bands with single-voltage devices requires a converter.
Low band · 100–127V
North America, Japan, Taiwan, and parts of Central / South America.
High band · 220–240V
Europe, UK, Asia, Africa, Australia, and most of the world.
Dual vs single voltage
Read the label.
Pick up the charger. Find the line that starts with INPUT. The number that follows is your answer.
✓ Dual voltage · 100–240V
Phone chargers, laptops, cameras, most modern electronics. Adapter only.
! Single voltage
Hair dryers, curling irons, kettles, older electronics. May need a converter.
§ 02 · The two devices
Plug adapter, voltage converter.
Two different tools that travelers constantly confuse — and the confusion is what fries devices.
Plug adapter
Reshapes the plug.
→Changes the physical plug shape
→Does NOT change voltage
→Small, lightweight, cheap
→Safe for dual-voltage devices
Voltage converter
Changes the voltage.
→Converts the actual voltage
→Required for single-voltage devices
→Heavier, more expensive
→Must match the device wattage
!
A plug adapter alone won't protect single-voltage devices from damage in different voltage bands. The calculator above checks exactly this — it'll tell you when an adapter is enough and when it isn't.
§ 03 · The gear
Once you know what you need.
The calculator tells you the answer. These two lists tell you what to buy.
Quick answers to the things travelers ask while staring at the calculator results — and the schema below feeds them straight to Google.
Can I use my phone charger abroad?+
Yes. Most phone chargers are dual voltage (100–240V). Check the fine print on your charger. You'll only need a plug adapter to fit the local outlets.
What happens if I plug a 120V device into 220V?+
The device will receive nearly double its rated voltage, which can cause overheating, damage, fire risk, or immediate failure. Always use a step-down converter for single-voltage devices.
Do I need a voltage converter for my laptop?+
Almost all laptop power adapters are dual voltage (100–240V). Check the label on your power brick — if it shows '100–240V', you only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter.
Should I bring my hair dryer when traveling internationally?+
Hair dryers are typically single-voltage and high-wattage (1000–1800W), making voltage converters impractical due to size and cost. Consider buying a dual-voltage travel hair dryer or using one provided by hotels.
Does electrical frequency (50Hz vs 60Hz) matter for my devices?+
For most electronics, frequency difference doesn't matter. However, devices with AC motors (some clocks, fans, record players) may run slightly faster or slower. Modern electronics handle both 50Hz and 60Hz frequencies fine.
What is the difference between a plug adapter and a voltage converter?+
A plug adapter only changes the physical shape of the plug to fit foreign outlets — it does NOT change voltage. A voltage converter (or transformer) actually changes the electrical voltage (e.g., from 220V to 110V). Dual-voltage devices only need a plug adapter; single-voltage devices may need both.
§ Got your answer?
Now build the rest of the trip. From bag to boarding gate.
