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Plug & Adapter Finder

Select your home country and destination to see the plug types, voltage and frequency at both ends — and whether you need an adapter or a voltage converter.

Plug adapter needed

Voltage differs — a converter may be needed

Home — United States

Type A
Type B
Voltage
120 V
Frequency
60 Hz
  • Type A: Two flat parallel pins (ungrounded)
  • Type B: Two flat pins with a round grounding pin

Destination — France

Type C
Type E
Voltage
230 V
Frequency
50 Hz
  • Type C: Two round pins (Europlug, ungrounded)
  • Type E: Two round pins with a grounding hole

Sockets in France (Type C, Type E) do not accept plugs from United States. Pack a travel adapter — a universal adapter covers most destinations.

The mains voltage differs significantly (120 V at home vs 230 V at the destination). Modern phone and laptop chargers are usually dual-voltage (marked "100–240 V"), but single-voltage devices like hair dryers may need a voltage converter.

Check your device's voltage range before connecting it to an unfamiliar electrical system. The input range is printed on the charger or power label (e.g. "Input: 100–240 V ~ 50/60 Hz").

How Does the Plug & Adapter Finder Work?

The world uses fifteen plug shapes (Types A through O) and two main voltage families: roughly 100–127 V (the Americas, Japan, Taiwan) and 220–240 V (most of Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania). The finder compares your home country's plugs and voltage against your destination's and tells you two separate things: whether your plug physically fits, and whether the voltage difference could be a problem.

Check your device's voltage range before connecting it to an unfamiliar electrical system — the accepted input range is printed on every charger. Dual-voltage devices only ever need a shape adapter; single-voltage appliances may need a converter or are best left at home.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an adapter and a converter?

A plug adapter only changes the shape of the plug so it fits the socket — it does not change the voltage. A voltage converter (or transformer) actually changes the electricity from, say, 230 V to 120 V. Devices that are not dual-voltage need a converter, not just an adapter, in countries with a different voltage.

How do I know if my device is dual-voltage?

Look at the small print on the charger or power label. If it says something like 'Input: 100–240 V ~ 50/60 Hz', it is dual-voltage and only needs a plug adapter. Most phone, laptop, and camera chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers, curling irons, and kettles often are not.

Should I buy a universal travel adapter?

If you travel to multiple regions, a universal adapter covering Types A–O is convenient and inexpensive. For a single destination, a dedicated adapter for that plug type is smaller and often sturdier.

Does the frequency (50 Hz vs 60 Hz) matter?

For most modern electronics, no — chargers handle both. Devices with simple motors or clocks designed for one frequency may run at the wrong speed on the other. Check the label if a device is frequency-sensitive.

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