Do You Need a Travel Adapter for the United States?
The United States uses Type A and Type B sockets at 120 V, 60 Hz. Phone and laptop chargers from Canada and Japan plug straight in. From the UK, Europe and Australia you need a Type B adapter. Single-voltage hair dryers from the UK, Europe and Australia also need a voltage converter.
Check your own plug
Verdict by where you are travelling from
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| From | Phone, laptop or USB charger | Hair dryer or straightener | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| The UK | Adapter Type B | Converter + Type B adapter | Type B adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.co.uk) |
| Europe | Adapter Type B | Converter + Type B adapter | Type B adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.de) |
| Australia | Adapter Type B | Converter + Type B adapter | Type B adapter · Step-up converter (amazon.com.au) |
| Canada | Works | Works | Nothing |
| Japan | Works | Works | Nothing |
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 100–127 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 States
3 other countries and territories in North America have exactly the same socket types (of 4 in the region). The national plug standard is NEMA 1-15, NEMA 5-15, NEMA 14-30, NEMA 14-50.
Standard from Wikipedia, Mains electricity by country (CC BY-SA 4.0), retrieved 8 September 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What plug does the United States use?
The United States uses Type A and Type B sockets. Type A: two flat parallel pins. Type B: two flat parallel pins and a round earth pin. Type E, Type M and Type N sockets are also reported occasionally.
What is the voltage in the United States?
The United States runs on 120 V at 60 Hz.
Can I charge my iPhone or laptop in the United States?
Yes. Phones, laptops and USB chargers are dual voltage (100–240 V), so 120 V is fine. Chargers from Canada and Japan plug straight in. From the UK, Europe and Australia you need a Type B plug adapter.
Do I need a voltage converter for the United States?
Only for single-voltage appliances made for 220–240 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 North America
Same plugs and voltage as the United States
Socket types: Type A Type B · Voltage by country
Data verified 8 September 2026 against the IEC World Plugs dataset, WorldStandards and Wikipedia. How this data was verified.