Do You Need a Travel Adapter for South Africa?
South Africa uses Type C, Type M and Type N 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 M or N adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
South Africa is mid-transition. The large three-round-pin Type M (SANS 164-1) is still the most common socket. The compact Type N (SANS 164-2, the 'ZA plug') has been required in every new installation since January 2018 and is the intended replacement; Type N sockets also accept Type C Europlugs. Expect a mix of both, and carry a Type M adapter to be safe.
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 M/N | Converter + Type M/N adapter | Type M adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| The UK | Adapter Type M/N | Adapter Type M/N | Type M adapter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Works | Adapter Type M/N | Type M adapter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type M/N | Adapter Type M/N | Type M adapter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type M/N | Converter + Type M/N adapter | Type M adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type M/N | Converter + Type M/N adapter | Type M 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 South Africa
No other country or territory in Africa has exactly this mix of sockets (of 55 in the region). The national plug standard is SANS 164.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does South Africa use?
South Africa uses Type C, Type M and Type N sockets. Type C: two round 4 mm pins, 19 mm apart. Type M: three large round pins in a triangle (BS 546 15 A). Type N: two round pins and a round earth pin (IEC 60906-1).
What is the voltage in South Africa?
South Africa runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in South Africa?
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 M or N plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for South Africa?
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 Africa
Socket types: Type C Type M 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 South Africa. How this data was verified.