International Plug & Socket Types

Plug & socket types

There are currently 15 types of the domestic power outlet plugs in use around the world, with different countries using different sockets and plugs for local equipment.

Type A

  • mainly used in the USA, Canada, Mexico & Japan
  • 2 pins
  • not grounded
  • 15 A
  • almost always 100 – 127 V
  • socket compatible with plug type A

Type B

  • mainly used in the USA, Canada & Mexico
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 15 A
  • almost always 100 – 127 V
  • socket compatible with plug types A & B

Type C

  • commonly used in Europe, South America & Asia
  • 2 pins
  • not grounded
  • 2.5 A, 10 A & 16 A
  • almost always 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug type C

Type D

  • mainly used in India
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 6 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug type D (partial and unsafe compatibility with C, E & F)

Type E

  • primarily used in France, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia & Czechia
  • 2 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C, E & F

Type F

  • used almost everywhere in Europe & Russia, except for the UK & Ireland
  • 2 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C, E & F

Type G

  • mainly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Singapore & the Arabian Peninsula
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 13 A
  • 220 – 250 V
  • socket compatible with plug type G

Type H

  • used exclusively in Israel, the West Bank & the Gaza Strip
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C & H (partial and unsafe compatibility with E & F)

Type I

  • mainly used in Australia, New Zealand, China & Argentina
  • 2 or 3 pins
  • 2 pins: not grounded / 3 pins: grounded
  • 10 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug type I

Type J

  • used almost exclusively in Switzerland & Liechtenstein
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 10 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C & J

Type K

  • used almost exclusively in Denmark & Greenland
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C & K (partial and unsafe compatibility with E & F)

Type L

  • used almost exclusively in Italy & Chile
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 10 A & 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • 10 A socket compatible with plug types C & L (10 A version)
  • 16 A socket compatible with plug type L (16 A version)

Type M

  • mainly used in South Africa
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug type M

Type N

  • used in Brazil and South Africa
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 10 A, 16 A & 20 A
  • 100 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C & N

Type O

  • used exclusively in Thailand
  • 3 pins
  • grounded
  • 16 A
  • 220 – 240 V
  • socket compatible with plug types C & O (partial and unsafe compatibility with E & F)