Last updated: 24 March 2023
World map showing the spread of plug types around the world
The world map below visualises the spread of the different plug types in use around the world. Red countries use type A & B plugs, the deep blue ones use types C & E/F (which are compatible with each other), brown countries use type D, sea-green countries use the British type G plug, pink coloured Israel uses types C & H, yellow countries use the Australian type I system, black countries use C & J, orange countries use types C & L, purple countries use the South African type M, pale blue countries use the international type N and moss-green Thailand uses types C & O. Keep in mind that this is a simplified overview showing only the most common plug type, but sometimes multiple systems are used within one and the same country. For a comprehensive and thorough overview of the electric plugs in use in every country, click here.
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
- 5 A
- 220 – 240 V
- socket compatible with plug type D (partial and unsafe compatibility with 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, Malaysia & Singapore
- 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
- 15 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)
