Do You Need a Travel Adapter for India?
India uses Type C, Type D and Type M sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type D or M adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
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 D/M | Converter + Type D/M adapter | Type D adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type D/M | Adapter Type D/M | Type D adapter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Works | Adapter Type D/M | Type D adapter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type D/M | Adapter Type D/M | Type D adapter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type D/M | Converter + Type D/M adapter | Type D adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type D/M | Converter + Type D/M adapter | Type D 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 220–240 V; electric shavers and CPAP machines vary by model. Read the INPUT line on the label. Adapter or converter?
More about sockets in India
1 other country or territory in Asia has exactly the same socket types (of 35 in the region). The national plug standard is IS 1293:2019.
The combination of a Type C, E or F plug with a Type D socket may often be workable, but it is unsafe to use. From August 2015, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) began clamping down on the sale of imported products with Type C/E/F plugs by pushing manufacturers and importers to comply with the IS 1293 standard. In June 2022, BIS began enforcing the standard through mandatory certification of both imported and domestic products.
Standard and note from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does India use?
India uses Type C, Type D and Type M sockets. Type C: two round 4 mm pins, 19 mm apart. Type D: three large round pins in a triangle. Type M: three large round pins in a triangle (BS 546 15 A).
What is the voltage in India?
India runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in India?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 230 V is fine. Chargers from Europe plug straight in. From the US, the UK, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type D or M plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for India?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 100–127 V countries, such as many hair dryers, straighteners and kettles. Anything marked INPUT 100–240 V works with a plug adapter alone.
Route guides
Other countries in Asia
Same plugs and voltage as India
Socket types: Type C Type D Type M · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia. How this data was verified.