A Guide to International Power Outlets

Don’t blow a fuse…literally and figuratively speaking. It’s one of those things on the ‘to do list’ of every savvy international traveler: “check power, buy power adapter” and it’s a step which if missed could mean a useless electronic device or worse, a fried one. While some hotels offer outlets compatible with north american plugs and amperage, there are many that don’t. Especially if traveling to remote destinations or booking budget accommodations. Every country has it’s own standards for power and outlet type so to help you navigate the electric jungle, we’ve put together this handy guide of worldwide outlet types and the countries in which they’re used:

Types A & B

Volts: 120
These type A and B outlets are probably familiar to you as they’re the ones used throughout Canada and the United States. The difference between the two types is that type B is grounded while A is not. These same plug types are also used in Japan, however the volts are different (100V compared to 120V).

Types C, E and F

Volts: 220-240
These 3 types are all variations on the standard 2 pin plug type common throughout Europe, South America and parts of Asia. The difference between the 3 types is that types E and F are grounded while type C is not. A type C plug is also compatible with type E and F outlets.

Type D

Volts: 220-240
This 3 prong plug type is mainly used in India and not found in many other countries. The grounded plug is only compatible with type D outlets.

Type G

Volts: 220-240
This grounded, 3 prong plug/outlet type is mainly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Malaysia and Singapore as well as parts of the Middle East. Type G plugs are only compatible with type G outlets.

"G type plug and socket" by Basic_earth_pin_operated_shutter_socket.jpg: Deucharman (talk).Original uploader was Deucharman at en.wikipediaderivative work: Maca eglarest (talk) - Basic_earth_pin_operated_shutter_socket.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons. — “G type plug and socket” by Basic_earth_pin_operated_shutter_socket.jpg: Deucharman (talk).Original uploader was Deucharman at en.wikipediaderivative work: Maca eglarest (talk) – Basic_earth_pin_operated_shutter_socket.jpg. Licensed under Public Domain via Wikimedia Commons.

Type H

Volts: 220-240
This outlet type is used exclusively in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The 3 prong, grounded outlet is compatible with outlet types C and H only.

Type I

Volts: 220-240
The type I plug/outlet is used in Australia, New Zealand, China and Argentina. It comes in both 2 prong (ungrounded) and 3 prong (grounded) versions.

Photo by: Stockarch/a> — Photo by: Stockarch

Type J

Volts: 220-240
The type J plug/outlet is a 3 prong grounded type and is not a common one. It is used almost exclusively in Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Rwanda

Type K

Volts: 220-240
The type K plug/outlet is similar to the type J in that it’s not a common one. It is used almost exclusively in Denmark and Greenland and is only compatible with its own type of outlets.

Type L

Volts: 220-240
The type L plug is a 3 prong, grounded plug/outlet type and is also an uncommon one. These types of outlets are used in Italy, Chile, Ethiopia and Uruguay only.

Type M

Volts: 220-240
Though the type M plug/outlet may look very similar to the type D used in India as they both have 3 round prongs arranged in a triangle, the prongs of the type M are much larger. This plug/outlet type is common throughout South Africa.