UK to US plug adapter guide
Type A/B sockets, 120V power, and what British travellers should pack.Quick answer Plug: The US and Canada use Type A (two flat pins) and Type B (with earth). UK Type G plugs need a travel adapter. Voltage: The UK is 230V; the US is about 120V. Dual-voltage devices (100–240V) usually need only an adapter. Frequency: The UK uses 50Hz; the US uses 60Hz. Rarely an issue for chargers; check motors and clocks.
Plug shapes you will see
Wall outlets in the United States are almost always Type A or B — flat parallel blades, not the chunky UK rectangle pins. Hotels and airports follow the same standard nationwide.
Voltage: lower than home
British mains is about 230V; US homes are about 120V. That is safer for plugging a US device into the UK (you risk under-powering or damage) than the reverse.
For UK travellers: if your device says 230V only, it may not run properly on 120V without a step-up converter. Most phone and laptop chargers list 100–240V and work with a simple adapter.
What to buy
Search for UK to US or Type G to Type A/B adapters. Avoid UK-only power strips — use a US strip with a UK plug if you need multiple USB ports.
Universal adapters work but dedicated US adapters fit more securely in loose airport outlets.
Check your route in seconds
Open the PlugsRus.net checker with your countries pre-selected. Our database lists plug types, voltage, and frequency for 200+ destinations.
Check United Kingdom → United States in the tool.
Open the plug checkerCommon questions
Does Canada use the same plugs as the US?
Yes — Type A/B at roughly 120V. Select Canada separately in our tool if that is where you are going.
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Disclaimer
This article is general travel information, not electrical advice. Always read device labels and consult the manufacturer for medical or high-wattage equipment. Data is aligned with the IEC World Plugs reference.