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Type A

Type A is a 2 pin plug generally used widely across Latin America but it is also commonly found in other locations, like the Philippines and Thailand.

Bear in mind: Plug Type A is also commonly used in the USA, but as mentioned below, notice it doesn’t have the third ‘earth’ plug. So if you have the three-pronged US plus (type B), you might not always find sockets that have the 3rd ‘earth’ plug hole.

The list of countries that use type A plugs are as follows:

  • Belize
  • Bolivia
  • Cayman Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • Jamaica
  • Peru
  • USA
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

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Type B

Type B is a 3 pin plug generally used across the USA, Mexico and other countries that use plug Type A. 

Other plugs compatible with plug socket Type B are: Type A.

Travel tip; If you have a type B 3 prong plug, most countries across the USA and Latin America might not have sockets that have the extra hole, so it is always best to carry a Type A 3 prong plug adapter, just in case. 

The list of countries that also use type B plugs are as follows:

  • Belize
  • Cayman Islands
  • Costa Rica
  • Ecuador
  • Jamaica
  • Peru
  • USA
  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

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Type C

Type C is a two pin plug most commonly used in Europe, South America and Asia. The list of countries that use type C plugs are as follows:

  • Bolivia 
  • Brazil
  • Peru
  • Morocco
  • Mozambique
  • South Africa
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • Cambodia
  • China
  • India
  • Indonesia
  • Nepal
  • Philippines
  • Thailand
  • Vietnam

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Type D

Type D is a three pin plug socket that is mainly used in India. 

Other plugs compatible with plug socket Type D are: Type C, E and F. 

The list of countries that use type D plugs are as follows:

  • Botswana
  • Ghana
  • Namibia
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe
  • India
  • Nepal

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Type E

Type E is a 3 pin plug socket that is mainly used in the EU.

Other plugs compatible with plug socket Type E are: Type C and F.

The plug itself is very similar to the Type C plug, however, the type E plug has a grounding pin (much like type A and B). 

The list of countries that use type E plugs are as follows:

  • Morocco
  • Tunisia 
  • Senegal
  • France
  • Belgium
  • Poland
  • Slovakia
  • Czechia

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Type F

Type F is a 2 prong plug socket that is used almost everywhere in the EU, except for Ireland. 

Other plugs compatible with socket type F are: Type C and Type E. 

Type F is almost identical to Type E, but without the 3rd grounding pin. Meaning you can use this plug in all of the countries you can use Type E. 

The list of countries that use type F plugs are as follows:

  • EU
  • Mozambique
  • Indonesia 

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Type G

Plug socket Type G is a 3 prong plug that is mainly used in the UK.

This plug is not compatible with any other socket, therefore if you’re going to the following countries you’ll need a travel adapter:

  • UK
  • Ireland 
  • Malta 
  • Malaysia 
  • Singapore 

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Type H

You might be wondering, what plug adapter do I need for Israel?

Well, that’s easy, because plug socket type H is used exclusively in Israel. However, this socket is compatible with plug type C because the 2 prongs are in the same place.

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Type I

Plug type I is a 3 prong plug used in Asia Pacific. The interesting thing about this plug is that it normally comes with a switch for safety.

The list of Countries that use type E plugs are as follows:

  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • China
  • Argentina
  • Fiji

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Type J

Plug type J is a 3 prong plug, much like plug type C, but with a 3rd grounding ‘Earth’ prong.

The catch is; you can use Type C plugs in a Type J socket, but cannot use a Type J plug in a Type C socket. 

Plug socket Type J is almost exclusively used in:

  • Liechtenstein 
  • Switzerland

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Type K

Plug type K is a 3 prong plug is compatible with plug type C. 

This plug is exclusive to 2 countries:

  • Denmark
  • Greenland

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Type M

The countries that use that type M plugs are mainly used in South Africa.

Other countries that use this plug are:

  • Eswatini
  • Mozambique
  • Namibia 
  • South Africa
  • India
  • Nepal

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Type N

Type N plug is used in Brazil and South Africa.

You can use type C plugs in a Type N plug socket!

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Type O

Plug type O is used exclusively in Thailand.

Also compatible with Plug Type C.

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The Most Compatible Plug

Moral of the story is, if you live in a country that has a C type plug, then you’re in luck, you’re the most compatible plug for different sockets around the globe. In contrast, if you’re from Israel, you better get planning! 

And if you’re completely overwhelmed by this information, then hopefully you’re lucky enough to come across an international plug that accepts multiple plugs. It’s every globetrotter’s dream! If only every country had this plug socket! This plug socket has the variations of Type A-O and is the socket that comes closest to being truly universal. Countries don’t often specify if they have these outlets, however it is important to mention that if you have plug type E and F, that this universal plug socket won’t have a grounding pin hole to ‘earth’ your appliances which is deemed unsafe.

And if in doubt, you can always get a worldwide adaptor that covers pretty much all plugs. Yes, they maybe more expensive than the single ones, but it can save time and a lot of trouble! Plus, you always have one.

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