Do You Need a Travel Adapter for the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom uses Type G sockets at 230 V, 50 Hz. From the US, Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type G adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the US, Canada and Japan also need a voltage converter.
The UK uses the fused three-rectangular-pin Type G plug (BS 1363) everywhere. The only exception is the shaver socket found in hotel bathrooms: a two-pin BS 4573 outlet, often switchable between 115 V and 230 V, limited to about 200 mA. It will run an electric shaver or toothbrush charger but nothing more powerful. Types D and M survive only for stage lighting and remotely switched lights.
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 G | Converter + Type G adapter | Type G adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.com) |
| Europe | Adapter Type G | Adapter Type G | Type G adapter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type G | Adapter Type G | Type G adapter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Adapter Type G | Converter + Type G adapter | Type G adapter · Step-down converter (amazon.ca) |
| Japan | Adapter Type G | Converter + Type G adapter | Type G 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 the United Kingdom
7 other countries and territories in Europe have exactly the same socket types (of 53 in the region). The national plug standard is BS 1363, BS 546.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does the United Kingdom use?
The United Kingdom uses Type G sockets. Type G: three rectangular pins in a triangle, fused plug. Type D and Type M sockets are also reported occasionally.
What is the voltage in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom runs on 230 V at 50 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in the United Kingdom?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 230 V is fine. From the US, Europe, Australia, Canada and Japan you need a Type G plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for the United Kingdom?
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 Europe
Same plugs and voltage as the United Kingdom
Socket types: Type G · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia, plus an official national source for the United Kingdom. How this data was verified.