Do You Need a Travel Adapter for Brazil?
Brazil uses Type C and Type N sockets at 127 V / 220 V, 60 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type N adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, the UK, Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
Brazil has two mains voltages. Most of the south-east (São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais) and the north use 127 V; the south (Santa Catarina, most of Rio Grande do Sul) and much of the north-east use 220 V, and many cities mix both. Check the socket label or ask your host. Sockets are the three-pin NBR 14136 standard (Type N), mandatory since 2011, which also accepts two-pin Type C Europlugs; the older Type A/B sockets have largely been replaced.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
Shop links go to the Amazon store for each origin. Some links on this site are affiliate links: if you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The US | Adapter Type N | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type N | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Works | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type N | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type N | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type N | Converter + Type N adapter | Type N adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.co.jp) |
Phone, laptop, USB and camera chargers are dual voltage, so they only need the right plug. Single-voltage hair dryers, straighteners and kettles need a converter unless rated for the supply you plug into (127 or 220 V); electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in Brazil
No other country or territory in South America has exactly this mix of sockets (of 13 in the region). The national plug standard is NBR 14136.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does Brazil use?
Brazil uses Type C and Type N sockets. Type C: two round 4 mm pins, 19 mm apart. Type N: two round pins and a round earth pin (IEC 60906-1).
What is the voltage in Brazil?
Brazil runs on 127 V / 220 V at 60 Hz. Both voltages are in use, so check the socket or ask before plugging in a single-voltage appliance.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in Brazil?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 127 V / 220 V is fine. Chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type N plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for Brazil?
Possibly. Brazil has both 127 V and 220 V supplies. Dual-voltage devices are fine everywhere; single-voltage hair dryers and appliances need a converter on the wrong supply. Check the label on the socket.
Other countries in South America
Socket types: Type C Type N · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia, plus an official national source for Brazil. How this data was verified.