Visual reference
All plug types from A to O
Recognise the basic plug and socket shapes. Safe use also depends on voltage, frequency, protective earth and load rating.
Plug systems worldwide
Plug types A to O at a glance
The illustrations help you identify pin shapes. Always check the actual plug, earth connection, voltage and frequency as well.
Type A
Two flat pins
ungroundedTwo-pin plug with parallel flat contacts.
Common in: North and Central America, Japan
Type A details →Type B
Two flat pins + earth
groundedLike Type A, with an additional round earth pin.
Common in: United States, Canada, Mexico
Type B details →Type C
Europlug
ungroundedTwo-pin Europlug with two round contacts.
Common in: Much of Europe and many other countries
Type C details →Type D
Three round pins
groundedThree round contacts in a large triangular arrangement.
Common in: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka
Type D details →Type E
French system
groundedTwo round contacts with an earth pin in the socket.
Common in: France, Belgium, Poland, Czechia
Type E details →Type F
Schuko
groundedTwo round contacts with side earth clips.
Common in: Germany and many European countries
Type F details →Type G
British system
groundedThree rectangular pins; plugs normally include a fuse.
Common in: United Kingdom, Ireland, Malta, Hong Kong
Type G details →Type H
Israeli system
groundedThree round contacts in a Y-shaped arrangement.
Common in: Israel and the Palestinian territories
Type H details →Type I
Angled flat pins
groundedTwo angled flat contacts, often with an earth pin.
Common in: Australia, New Zealand, China, Argentina
Type I details →Type J
Swiss system
groundedThree round contacts in a compact offset arrangement.
Common in: Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Type J details →Type K
Danish system
groundedTwo round contacts with a separate earth contact.
Common in: Denmark and Greenland
Type K details →Type L
Italian system
groundedThree round contacts in a straight line.
Common in: Italy, San Marino, Vatican City
Type L details →Type M
Large three-pin plug
groundedThree large round contacts in a triangular arrangement.
Common in: South Africa and parts of southern Africa
Type M details →Type N
Brazilian system
groundedThree round contacts in a compact triangular arrangement.
Common in: Brazil and South Africa (newer standard)
Type N details →Type O
Thai system
groundedThree round contacts in a triangular arrangement, designed for Thailand.
Common in: Thailand
Type O details →Sources
Sources for plug types A to O
World Plugs
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC country overview of commonly used plug types, nominal voltages and frequencies.
IEC TR 60083
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC technical report covering nationally standardised plug and socket systems.
IEC 60884-2-5
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) · Primary source
IEC safety requirements for household adapters with or without protective earth.
Plugs and sockets
World Standards · Supplementary source
Supplementary country and territory overview of plug types, voltage and frequency.
The sources describe the systems commonly used in each destination. A particular building, ship or multi-standard outlet can still differ, so the actual socket and device label remain decisive.
All sources and methodology →