What Plug Type Do I Have?
Not sure what type of plug you have? Use our step-by-step visual guide to identify your plug type and find out where it works around the world.
How many pins does your plug have?
Look at the metal pins or prongs on your plug and count them.
Complete Guide to Identifying Electrical Plugs Worldwide
Identifying electrical plugs correctly is crucial for international travel, equipment compatibility, and electrical safety. This comprehensive plug identification guide helps you recognize all 15 international plug types (Type A through Type O) through their distinctive physical characteristics. Whether you're a traveler, electrician, or simply trying to identify an unknown plug, this tool provides accurate identification through a systematic approach.
Visual Identification Method
The most reliable way to identify electrical plugs is through visual inspection of three key characteristics: pin count, pin shape, and pin arrangement. Our step-by-step identifier walks you through these features systematically, eliminating possibilities until the exact plug type is determined.
Key Visual Features:
- • Number of pins (2 or 3)
- • Pin shape (flat, round, rectangular)
- • Pin arrangement (parallel, triangle, line)
- • Pin size and spacing
- • Grounding configuration
Geographic Identification
Plug types are often region-specific due to historical electrical standards. Knowing where a plug comes from can immediately narrow down the identification. For example, flat blade plugs are primarily North American, while round pin plugs dominate Europe.
Regional Patterns:
- • Americas: Types A, B (flat blades)
- • Europe: Types C, E, F (round pins)
- • UK/Ireland: Type G (rectangular)
- • Asia-Pacific: Mixed standards
- • Africa: Colonial legacy types
Detailed Identification Features for Each Plug Type
Type A - North American
Visual ID: Two flat parallel blades
Spacing: 12.7mm apart
Blade size: 6.35mm wide
Unique feature: One blade may be wider (polarized)
Common in: USA, Canada, Mexico, Japan
Quick check: Looks like || when viewed head-on
Type B - Grounded American
Visual ID: Two flat blades + round ground pin
Ground position: Below and centered
Ground diameter: 4.8mm
Unique feature: Forms upside-down triangle
Common in: USA, Canada, Mexico
Quick check: Face-like appearance :|o
Type C - Europlug
Visual ID: Two round pins
Pin diameter: 4mm
Spacing: 19mm apart
Unique feature: Thin, flexible pins
Common in: All of Europe, most of world
Quick check: Simple :: appearance
Type D - Indian (Old)
Visual ID: Three large round pins
Pin diameter: 5mm (thick)
Pattern: Triangular arrangement
Unique feature: Largest round pin type
Common in: India, Nepal, some Africa
Quick check: Thick triangular pins
Type E - French
Visual ID: Two round pins + ground hole
Ground: Hole in socket (not on plug)
Pin diameter: 4.8mm
Unique feature: Male ground pin in socket
Common in: France, Belgium, Poland
Quick check: Round pins, no ground on plug
Type F - Schuko
Visual ID: Two round pins + side clips
Ground: Metal clips on sides
Pin diameter: 4.8mm
Unique feature: Recessed socket design
Common in: Germany, most of Europe
Quick check: Side grounding clips visible
Type G - British
Visual ID: Three rectangular pins
Pin size: 6.35 x 4mm rectangles
Pattern: Triangle with longer earth pin
Unique feature: Built-in fuse required
Common in: UK, Ireland, Hong Kong
Quick check: Chunky rectangular pins
Type H - Israeli
Visual ID: Three flat pins in Y shape
Pin angle: 19° from vertical
Pattern: Upside-down Y
Unique feature: Angled flat pins
Common in: Israel, Palestine
Quick check: Y-shaped flat pins
Type I - Australian
Visual ID: Three flat pins, two angled
Pin angle: 30° inverted V
Ground: Vertical flat pin below
Unique feature: Inverted V shape
Common in: Australia, NZ, Argentina
Quick check: \|/ appearance
Common Plug Identification Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Frequent Misidentifications
Type C vs Type E/F
Type C has thin 4mm pins, while E/F have thicker 4.8mm pins. Type C is ungrounded, E/F have grounding. Don't confuse them just because they're all round pins.
Type A vs Type I
Both have flat blades, but Type A blades are parallel while Type I has angled blades forming an inverted V. The angle is the key differentiator.
Type D vs Type M
Both have three round pins in triangular arrangement, but Type M pins are much thicker (7mm vs 5mm) and spaced wider apart. Size matters here.
✅ Identification Best Practices
Count Pins First
Always start by counting pins. This immediately eliminates 50% of possibilities. Two pins = 6 options, Three pins = 9 options.
Check Pin Thickness
Pin diameter is often the deciding factor. Thin round pins (4mm) = Type C. Thick round pins (4.8mm+) = Type E/F or larger.
Note Grounding Method
How grounding is achieved tells you a lot. Side clips = Type F. Ground hole = Type E. Third pin = Most others.
Complete Technical Specifications for Plug Identification
| Type | Pins | Shape | Size/Diameter | Spacing | Unique ID |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type A | 2 | Flat blades | 6.35mm wide | 12.7mm | Parallel flat blades |
| Type B | 3 | Flat + round | 6.35mm + 4.8mm | 12.7mm | Ground pin below |
| Type C | 2 | Round | 4mm | 19mm | Thin round pins |
| Type G | 3 | Rectangular | 6.35x4mm | 22.2mm | Rectangular with fuse |
| Type I | 3 | Flat angled | 6.5x1.6mm | 13.7mm | Inverted V shape |
Quick Plug Identification by Country of Origin
🇺🇸 From USA/Canada
• Type A (ungrounded)
• Type B (grounded)
• Flat blade design
• 120V standard
🇪🇺 From Europe
• Type C (Europlug)
• Type E (French)
• Type F (German)
• Round pin design
🇬🇧 From UK/Ireland
• Type G only
• Rectangular pins
• Built-in fuse
• 230V standard
🇦🇺 From Australia
• Type I only
• Angled flat pins
• Inverted V shape
• 230V standard
⚠️ Electrical Safety Warning
• Never force a plug into an incompatible socket - this can cause electrical fires
• Always check voltage compatibility in addition to plug type
• Use only certified adapters that meet safety standards
• If unsure, consult a qualified electrician before connecting devices
• Misidentifying plug types can lead to equipment damage or personal injury
Quick Identification Tips
🔍 What to Look For
- • Pin count: 2 or 3 metal pins/prongs
- • Pin shape: Flat, round, or rectangular
- • Pin size: Thick, thin, or varying sizes
- • Arrangement: How pins are positioned
- • Ground pin: Extra pin for safety
🌍 Why It Matters
- • Determines what adapter you need for travel
- • Helps identify your home region's standard
- • Ensures electrical safety when abroad
- • Helps you buy the right replacement plugs
- • Useful for international device compatibility
Most Common Plug Types
Type A
US/Japan (Ungrounded)
2 flat parallel pins
United States, Canada, Japan, Mexico
Type B
US/Canada (Grounded)
2 flat pins + round ground pin
United States, Canada, Mexico
Type C
European (Europlug)
2 round pins, no ground
Most of Europe, some Asia/Africa
Type E
French
2 round pins + ground hole
France, Belgium, Poland, some Africa
Type F
German (Schuko)
2 round pins + side ground clips
Germany, Netherlands, Spain, Russia
Type G
British
3 rectangular pins in triangle
UK, Ireland, Malaysia, Singapore
Type I
Australian
3 flat pins (2 angled)
Australia, New Zealand, China
Type J
Swiss
3 round pins in triangle
Switzerland, Liechtenstein
Type L
Italian
3 round pins in line
Italy, Chile, some North Africa