Imagine you’re traveling and need to send a file report for your company. So you open your laptop in the new country you’ve just entered but alas, the adapter doesn’t fit the plug.
As a digital nomad, this is not just frustrating, but can also cause a lot of disruptions in your business. From personal experience, I can assure you that this is one of the biggest issues I’ve faced in my time being a traveler and digital nomad.
To get around this issue, I’ve put together a list of all adapters in the world, how they vary, and how a simple voltage variance could pretty much fry your electronics. For those looking to buy cheap but reliable adapters, I’ve also included affiliate links from where you can get your hands on the best of these products so without further ado, let’s jump in the guide.
Types Of Plugs Used In Different Countries
At the moment, there are essentially 15 different types of plugs that are used all across the globe. Some of these plugs are more popular than others because of their safety features. I won’t get into the nerdy science behind why they’re safer, because we’re mainly concerned with what works in each country.
In essence, the plugs are marked as
The way these plugs vary is largely dependent on their internal engineering. Some come with a fuse while others house a simple two-way plug with a ground plug.
If you’re stuck in a hotel right now and wondering which one is the right one, then consider the image below:
Choosing Travel Power Adapters
Okay so we’ve taken a look at the different kinds. We’re sure you’re well aware of what kind of power adapter you need now for a certain trip, but the issue is to find one that fits with your adapters. The best way to go about this is by making a mindmap of the electronics which you’ll be carrying with you.
For instance, in my case, I like to make a note on my phone about the essentials. These include my laptop charger and mobile charger. If you’ll be using other electronics such as hair dryers, then add those to the list as well. Now simply by an adapter converter for each of those respective to the country, you’ll be going in.
If you reside in a country where Type As is used and are intending to travel somewhere in Asia, then get a Type A to Type C converter. Usually, one will converter will do but if you’re like me, you’d like to keep one for each electronic.
Is It Worth Getting An Adapter For Each Country?
If you’re looking to buy an adapter, then trust me when I say that it is not worth having one for each country. Instead, go for a universal adapter.
A universal adapter practically has several types integrated into one. You’d be spending a smaller amount of money to get more options.
Yes, this will likely be a bit more expensive compared to a single Type A to Type B converter, for instance, however, the fact is that you’ll not have to worry about shenanigans like voltage regulation anymore. With the click of a button, you’ll be able to switch to 220V from 110V.
Adapters Or Converters?
Ah yes, so let’s talk about adapters and converters. Many nomads are not aware but having a converter on yourself at all times is a golden rule to follow.
The main difference between an adapter and a converter is that an adapter simply fits your device to the switchboard. However, it does not convert the voltage. This is a huge problem since if you’re traveling to a country where the standard is 220V, then directly plugging in your device which is based on a 110V plug could fry your device.
On the other end, a converter’s job is to convert the voltage signal as well. If you’ll be using heavy-duty stuff, then I suggest you go with a proper industrial standard converter. These are a bit tough to carry around but are the ultimate solution for all your travels.
However, if you’re simply going to be using a laptop and other electronic devices, then a hand-carry travel adapter should get the deed done as well.
Different countries have different voltage ratings concerning frequencies. I’ve put together a list below for you to understand how these essentially vary:
| Country Name | Plug Type | Residential Voltage | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Afghanistan | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Albania | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Algeria | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| American Samoa | A, B, F, I | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Andorra | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Angola | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Anguilla | A, B | 110 V | 60 Hz |
| Antigua and Barbuda | A, B | 230 V | 60 Hz |
| Argentina | I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Armenia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Aruba | A, B, F | 127 V | 60 Hz |
| Australia | I | 230 V
240 V |
50 Hz |
| Azerbaijan | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Bahamas | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Bahrain | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Bangladesh | C, D, G, K | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Barbados | A, B | 115 V | 50 Hz |
| Belarus | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Belgium | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Belize | A, B, G | 110 V
220 V |
60 Hz |
| Benin | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Bermuda | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Bhutan | C, D, F, G, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Bolivia | A, C | 115 V
230 V |
60 Hz
50 Hz |
| Bonaire,[10][11][12][13] Sint Eustatius and Saba | A, B | 127 V | 50 Hz |
| Bosnia and Herzegovina | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Botswana | D, G, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Brazil | C, N | 127 V
220 V |
60 Hz |
| British Virgin Islands | A, B | 110 V | 60 Hz |
| Brunei | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Bulgaria | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Burkina Faso | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Burundi | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Cambodia | A, C, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Cameroon | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Canada | A
B |
120 V
120 V 240 V 240 V |
60 Hz |
| Cape Verde | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Cayman Islands | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Central African Republic | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Chad | C, D, E, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Chile | L (national official standard);
C, F (compatible) |
220 V | 50 Hz |
| China | A, C, I | 220 V
380 V |
50 Hz |
| Colombia | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Comoros | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Congo, Republic of the | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Congo, Democratic Republic of the | C, D, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Cook Islands | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Costa Rica | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Côte d’Ivoire | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Croatia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Cuba | A, B, C, L | 110 V | 60 Hz |
| Curaçao | A,B | 127 V | 50 Hz |
| Cyprus | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Czech Republic | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Denmark | C, E, F, K | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Djibouti | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Dominica | D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Dominican Republic | A, B, C | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Ecuador | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Egypt | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| El Salvador | A, B | 115 V | 60 Hz |
| Equatorial Guinea | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Eritrea | C, L | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Estonia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Eswatini | M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Ethiopia | C, E, F, L | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Falkland Islands | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Faroe Islands | C, E, F, K | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Fiji | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Finland | C
F |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| France | C
E |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| French Guiana | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Gabon | C | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Gambia | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Georgia | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Germany | C
F IEC 60309 |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Ghana | D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Gibraltar | C, G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Greece | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Greenland | C, E, F, K | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Grenada | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Guadeloupe | C, D, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Guam | A, B | 110 V | 60 Hz |
| Guatemala | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Guernsey | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Guinea | C, F, K | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Guinea-Bissau | C, E, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Guyana | A, B, D, G | 110 V
220 V |
60 Hz
50 Hz |
| Haiti | A, B | 220 V
110 V |
60 Hz |
| Honduras | A, B | 110 V | 60 Hz |
| Hong Kong | G
D, M |
220 V | 50 Hz |
| Hungary | C
F |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Iceland | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| India | C, D, M | 230 V[7] | 50 Hz |
| Indonesia | A, C, F, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Iran | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Iraq | C, D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Ireland | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Isle of Man | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Israel | C, H, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Italy | C
F, L |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Jamaica | A, B | 110 V | 50 Hz |
| Japan | A, B | 100 V
200 V |
50 Hz
60 Hz |
| Jersey | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Jordan | B, C, D, F, G, J | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Kazakhstan | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Kenya | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Kiribati | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Kosovo | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Kuwait | C, G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Kyrgyzstan | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Laos | A, B, C, E, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Latvia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Lebanon | A, B, C, D, G | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Lesotho | M | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Liberia | A, B, C, E, F | 120 V
240 V |
50 Hz
60 Hz |
| Libya | C, D, F, L | 127 V | 50 Hz |
| Lithuania | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Liechtenstein | C, J | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Luxembourg | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Macau | D, F, G, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Madagascar | C, D, E, J, K | 127 V
220 V |
50 Hz |
| Malawi | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Malaysia | C
G M |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Maldives | D, G, J, K, L | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Mali | C, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Malta | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Martinique | C, D, E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Mauritania | C, E, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Mauritius | C, E, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Mexico | A, B | 120 V
127 V |
60 Hz |
| Federated States of Micronesia | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Moldova | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Monaco | C, D, E, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Mongolia | C, E, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Montenegro | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Montserrat | A, B | 120 V
230 V |
60 Hz |
| Morocco | C, E | 127 V
220 V |
50 Hz |
| Mozambique | C, F, M | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Myanmar | A, C, D, G, I | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Namibia | D, M | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Nauru | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Nepal | C, D, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Netherlands | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| New Caledonia | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| New Zealand | I | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Nicaragua | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Niger | A, B, C, D, E, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Nigeria | D, G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| North Korea | A, C, F | 110 V
220 V |
50 Hz
60 Hz |
| North Macedonia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Norway | C
F |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Oman | C, G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Pakistan | C, D, G, M | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Palau | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Palestine | C, H, M | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Panama | A, B | 110 V
120 V |
60 Hz |
| Papua New Guinea | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Paraguay | A, C | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Peru | A, B, C
F, L |
220 V | 60 Hz |
| Philippines | A, B, C | 115 V
230 V |
60 Hz |
| Poland | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Portugal | C, E, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Puerto Rico | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Qatar | D, G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Réunion | E | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Romania | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Russia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Rwanda | C, E, F, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha | G | 220 V
240 V |
50 Hz |
| Saint Martin (French) | C, E | 220 V | 60 Hz |
| Sint Maarten (Dutch) | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| St. Kitts and Nevis | A, B, D, G | 110 V
230 V |
60 Hz |
| St. Lucia | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Saint Pierre and Miquelon | C, E, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| St. Vincent and the Grenadines | C, E, G, I, K | 230 V | 50 Hz
60 Hz |
| Samoa | I | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| San Marino | C, F, L | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Saudi Arabia | G | 220 V | 60 Hz |
| Senegal | C, D, E, K | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Seychelles | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Sierra Leone | D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Singapore | C
G M |
230 V | 50 Hz |
| Slovakia | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Slovenia | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Solomon Islands | I, G | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Somalia | C | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| South Africa | C, M, N | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| South Korea | C, F | 220 V | 60 Hz |
| Spain | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Sri Lanka | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Sudan | C, D | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Suriname | A, B, C, F | 127/220 V | 60 Hz |
| Switzerland | C, J | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Syria | C, E, L | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Taiwan | A, B | 110 V
220 V |
60 Hz |
| Tajikistan | C, F, I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Tanzania | D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Thailand | A, B, C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Timor-Leste (East Timor) | C, E, F, I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Togo | C | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Tonga | I | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Trinidad and Tobago | A, B | 115 V | 60 Hz |
| Tunisia | C, E | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Turkey | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Turkmenistan | B, C, F | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Tuvalu | I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Uganda | G | 240 V | 50 Hz |
| Ukraine | C, F | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| United Arab Emirates | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| United Kingdom | G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| United States | A
B NEMA 14-30 NEMA 14-50 |
120 V
120 V 240 V 240 V |
60 Hz |
| U.S. Virgin Islands | A
B |
110 V | 60 Hz |
| Uruguay | C, F, I, L | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Uzbekistan | C, I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Vanuatu | C, G, I | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Venezuela | A, B | 120 V | 60 Hz |
| Vietnam | A, B, C, G | 220 V | 50 Hz |
| Yemen | A, D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Zambia | C, D, G | 230 V | 50 Hz |
| Zimbabwe | D, G | 220 V | 50 H |
FAQ
What Are The Most Commonly Used Adapters?
It depends on the country you’re going for, however, there are a few adapters that are quite popular and work almost everywhere. As a digital nomad, even if you don’t have a Type A adapter in a traveling country, then chances are you’ll easily find one around from a gas station.
What Will Happen If I Plug A Step Up 220V Adapter In A 110V Socket?
It will fry it. Don’t even try it because the voltage difference can easily ruin your electronic the instant it is plugged in. The solution to this, as we mentioned in the guide above, is to use a converter.
Should I Carry An Adapter For Each Country I Visit?
While on paper, you’d basically need to do this, there is a way around it. You can simply opt for a universal adapter and these can make your life much easier. Essentially, a universal adapter will support a variety of different plugs.
However, I do recommend looking at the output voltage before you do. There is certainly a possibility that your plug fits the socket but has a different voltage regulation. This could take things south fast.
Conclusion
It can be a hassle to figure out which adapter to take on your next digital nomad trip. After all, we’ve got our hands full with other stuff. In a nutshell, although you can use different adapters for different trips, I strongly advise getting a good universal adapter. This will be a bit expensive but is much cheaper in the long run.