Type C and Type A dominate by sheer country count, but a single plug type rarely tells the whole story — most countries use two or three together.
Sortable at a glance: pins, voltage, frequency, amperage, and how many countries use each. Click any row for the full guide.
Physical compatibility only — voltage and frequency still need their own check before you plug anything in.
Physical fit isn't safety. A plug entering a socket only confirms the geometry — voltage (110V vs 220V) and frequency (50Hz vs 60Hz) still need to match the device, or you risk damage.
Each entry is a self-contained brief — what it looks like, where it's used, and what to know before you pack.
Type A is a two-pin ungrounded plug with flat parallel blades. It's one of the most common plug types in North America, Central America, and parts of Asia. The plug was originally developed in the United States in 1904 by Harvey Hubbell II.
Most modern electronics have dual-voltage chargers (100-240V), so you typically only need a plug adapter, not a voltage converter
Type B is a three-pin grounded plug with two flat parallel blades and a round grounding pin below them. It's the standard grounded plug throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, and parts of Central America. This plug type operates at 120V and has largely replaced the ungrounded Type A for safety reasons in most household and commercial applications. The grounding pin provides essential protection against electrical faults and is required by modern electrical codes for most appliances and devices.
Type B is the safest option in 120V countries - always use grounded plugs when available
Type C is the most widely used plug type in the world, known as the Europlug. It features two round pins (4.0-4.8mm diameter, 19mm length) and is used throughout Europe, South America, Asia, and Africa. It's designed for low-power devices up to 2.5 amps and operates on both 220-240V systems. The plug's universal design allows it to fit into most European socket types, making it incredibly versatile for travelers. However, it lacks an earth connection, so it's only suitable for Class II double-insulated appliances.
The Europlug is your best friend for European travel - one adapter works almost everywhere
Type D is an old British standard plug with three large round pins arranged in a triangular pattern. While phased out in the UK, it remains the dominant plug type in India, Nepal, and some African countries.
Essential for travel to India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka
Type E is the French standard plug featuring two round pins and a hole that accepts the grounding pin protruding from the socket. It's used in France, Belgium, Poland, and several other countries.
Type E/F hybrid plugs are the best choice for European travel
Type F, also known as Schuko (from German 'Schutzkontakt' meaning 'protective contact'), is a grounded plug with two round pins (4.8mm diameter, 19mm apart) and distinctive grounding clips on the sides. It operates at 230V and can handle up to 16 amperes of current. This robust design is the standard in Germany and used across much of Europe including Austria, Netherlands, and many Eastern European countries, making it one of the most common plug types worldwide. The recessed socket design prevents accidental contact with live parts.
Type F (Schuko) is one of the most common plugs in Europe - found in 40+ countries
Type G is the British standard plug with three rectangular pins arranged in a triangular pattern. Used in the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and 50+ countries, it is widely considered the safest plug design in the world. Every Type G plug contains a built-in fuse (typically 3A or 13A), and the sockets feature safety shutters that only open when the longer earth pin is inserted first.
Type G adapters are bulky because of mandatory safety features - make sure your adapter bag has room
Type I features two angled flat blades arranged in a distinctive V-shape with an optional vertical grounding pin below. This unique angled design, set at 30 degrees, creates an instantly recognizable plug that's used primarily in Australia, New Zealand, China, and Argentina. The angled blades provide a secure mechanical connection that resists accidental disconnection. In Australia and New Zealand, the standard operates at 230V/240V with 50Hz frequency. The grounding pin is mandatory for appliances requiring earthing, making it safer for high-power devices. This design is considered one of the safest plug types due to its secure fit and proper grounding.
Australian and Chinese Type I plugs are slightly different - some adapters may not fit perfectly
Type J is the Swiss standard plug with three round pins arranged in a line, with the grounding pin offset. It's unique to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, though Type C plugs also fit Swiss outlets.
Type C plugs work in Swiss outlets for phones and laptops
Type L is the Italian standard plug with three round pins arranged in a line. It comes in two versions: 10A (smaller pins) and 16A (larger pins). Type C plugs fit into both versions.
Bring a Type C plug for most devices - it fits both Italian outlet versions
Type M is a larger version of Type D, with the same triangular pin arrangement but bigger pins. It's primarily used in South Africa for high-power appliances and is also found in some other African and Asian countries.
Type M adapters are essential for South Africa travel
Type N is the Brazilian standard plug, designed to be compatible with both Type C (Europlug) and have a unique grounding system. It was created based on the IEC 60906-1 international standard that was intended to become a world standard.
Type C plugs work for most low-power devices in Brazil
Type H is unique to Israel and Palestine. It originally had flat pins but was changed to round pins in 1989. The plug features three pins arranged in a V-shape pattern. Modern Type H outlets also accept Type C plugs.
Type C plugs work in most modern Israeli outlets for low-power devices
Type K is the Danish standard plug featuring three round pins. It's similar to Type C but includes a grounding pin. The design is used primarily in Denmark, Greenland, and some African countries that were formerly Danish colonies.
Type C plugs work for most devices in Denmark
Type O is the official standard plug for Thailand. It's a hybrid system that can accept plugs from many different countries including Type A, B, C, and O itself. The Thai outlet is designed to be highly versatile for tourists.
Thailand is very adapter-friendly - most plugs work without adapters
Plug types cluster along historical lines — colonial reach, post-war reconstruction, and a few strong-willed national engineers.
Predominantly Type A and B, 110–120V, 60Hz. Brazil is the outlier — Type N at mixed voltages, the only nation built on the IEC 60906-1 standard.
Type C is the lingua franca — Europlug fits almost everywhere. Type F (Schuko) in Germany and Spain, Type E in France, Type G in the UK and Ireland.
The most fragmented region. Type I in Australia and China, Type G in Singapore and Hong Kong, Type A/B in Japan, Type D in India.
Colonial legacy: Type G across former British colonies, Type C/E/F in francophone countries, Type D and M in southern Africa.
Type G dominant via British influence. Type H is unique to Israel — three diagonally arranged pins you won't find anywhere else.
An adapter covering Type A, C, G and I handles roughly 95% of destinations. It does not convert voltage — that's a separate device.
In the 1880s, electricity arrived in homes faster than anyone could agree on a standard. A century later, we're still living with the consequences.
Harvey Hubbell II patents the first detachable plug — Type A — in the United States.
Albert Büttner invents the Schuko (Type F) in Germany. The earth-pin philosophy spreads across Europe.
Britain introduces Type G after WWII. Built-in fuses, ring circuits — over-engineered, indestructible.
The Europlug (Type C) is standardized by CEE. Light, slim, ungrounded — and fits almost anywhere.
Brazil adopts Type N, becoming the first country to use the IEC 60906-1 standard.
Independent development. Electrical systems pre-date global trade. Each country built its own.
Colonial export. European powers carried their plug standards into colonies, where they remain.
Safety philosophy. Different schools of thought on grounding, fusing, and shock prevention.
Sunk cost. Replacing national infrastructure costs billions. Nobody volunteers.
USB-C is quietly winning the low-power tier. For phones, laptops and tablets, the plug behind the wall matters less every year. For everything else, you'll still need an adapter.
A universal adapter covers Type A, C, G, and I — handling 95% of the destinations on this database in one device.
The full power-kit list — universal adapters, country-specific plugs, voltage converters, and surge protectors.
Browse on Amazon ↗Tech EssentialsMulti-port USB-C chargers, fast-charge bricks, power banks. The other half of the kit you'll actually use daily.
Browse on Amazon ↗Every adapter, charger, and travel essential we've recommended — in one place.
The database tells you what is. These guides tell you what to do about it.
Why some countries use 110V and others use 220V — and what it means for your stuff.
Read →Which one you actually need — and the 10-second test that decides.
Read →Adapter or converter? A field test to know which one your device needs.
Read →Tell us your device and destination — we'll tell you if it's safe to plug in.
Read →