Plug and socket types A to O

The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) labels household plugs with the letters A to O. Each type has a different pin layout – and needs a different adapter in your suitcase.

• Type A

  North American two-prong plug

  Two flat parallel blades, no earth – the everyday plug of the USA, Canada, Mexico and Japan.

  15 A · 100–127 V · ungrounded · 55 countries

• Type B

  North American three-prong plug

  Type A with an extra round earth pin – the standard socket in North America.

  15 A · 100–127 V · grounded · 49 countries

• Type C

  Europlug

  Two round pins, no earth – the thin plug that fits sockets in most of Europe, South America and Asia.

  2.5 A · 220–240 V · ungrounded · 142 countries

• Type D

  Old British round-pin plug (5 A)

  Three large round pins in a triangle – common in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

  5 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 33 countries

• Type E

  French plug

  Two round pins and a hole for the earth pin that sticks out of the socket – France, Belgium, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia.

  16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 38 countries

• Type F

  Schuko plug

  Two round pins with earth clips on the sides – Germany, Spain, Scandinavia, Russia and much of Europe and Asia.

  16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 74 countries

• Type G

  British plug

  Three chunky rectangular pins and a fuse inside – the UK, Ireland, Gulf states, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia.

  13 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 52 countries

• Type H

  Israeli plug

  Three round pins in a triangle (older ones flat, in a Y) – used only in Israel and Palestine.

  16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 2 countries

• Type I

  Australian plug

  Two flat pins in a V shape plus an earth pin – Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina and the Pacific.

  10 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 20 countries

• Type J

  Swiss plug

  Three round pins in a flat triangle – Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Rwanda.

  10 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 5 countries

• Type K

  Danish plug

  Two round pins and a half-round earth pin – Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands.

  16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 8 countries

• Type L

  Italian plug

  Three round pins in a row – Italy, San Marino, Vatican City, Chile, Libya, Eritrea.

  10/16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 11 countries

• Type M

  South African plug (15 A)

  Three very large round pins – South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Namibia.

  15 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 8 countries

• Type N

  Brazilian plug

  Three round pins in a hexagonal recess – Brazil and newer buildings in South Africa.

  10/20 A · 100–240 V · grounded · 2 countries

• Type O

  Thai plug

  Three round pins, earth below – the Thai standard, usually in sockets that also take other plugs.

  16 A · 220–240 V · grounded · 1 country