Travel Adaptor for Canada
& Canadian Plug Types
Canada Plug Types & Sockets
- Voltage
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120 V
- Frequency
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60 Hz
Canada uses plug types A and B with matching sockets. Voltage: 120 V, Frequency: 60 Hz.
Your British (type G) plugs will not fit any of the Canadian sockets.
You will need a UK to type A/B plug adaptor.
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Adaptor Required?
(See recommended adaptors) - Yes
UK to Canada Plug Adaptors
Best choice
Our Adaptor Recommendation
Types A and B are earthed and unearthed variants of the same socket so a type A/B plug adaptor is all that you will need for a trip to Canada.
A simple unearthed adaptor is compact and enough for phone chargers and most travel electronics. Models with USB or USB-C ports are useful when charging several devices, while PD ports are suitable for compatible laptops. For earthed equipment or several mains-powered appliances, choose an earthed adaptor or power strip.
Our recommendations for the best UK to Canada travel adaptors ensure that you'll always be able to connect your British type G plugs to the Canadian type A and B sockets.
Need some ideas for your trip? We found a helpful guide for planning a trip to Canada that you might be able to get some useful information from, including local info, tips and ideas of interesting places to visit & things to do.
Choosing the Right Power Adaptor
Having overcome the pesky differences in plug types and socket configurations you now need to decide what sort of adaptor suits your own, specific needs.
If you decide to buy an adaptor, here are some useful features to consider:
- Earthed vs unearthed adaptors
- Multiplug adaptors
- Extensions / power strip adaptors (great for families)
- Integral USB / USB-C ports for charging devices like phones and tablets
- Dedicated charging hubs with multiple ports
- USB-C port with power delivery (PD) using GaN technology for laptop charging up to 140W
- Universal adaptors (any plug to any socket) for the ultimate in versatility
- Combined transformer / adaptors
Canada Electrical Supply
Canada uses plug types A and B with matching sockets.
The electrical supply voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60 Hz.
Canada - Traveller Notes
Standardized at 120V. 240V single phase used for applications such as clothes driers, air conditioning, electric heating, water heaters, cookers and machinery. Buildings and houses with more than one branch circuit have both voltages. Three-phase 120/208 V or 347/600 V is available though primarily only to commercial or industrial buildings. Type A outlets are for repairs only (house from the 1950s or older), type B now required for new construction and renovation. A 20-Amp type B but with a T-slot is used in kitchens in new construction.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adaptor will allow you to physically insert a UK plug into a Canadian socket it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - The Canadian mains supply is 120 V which is outside the normal UK range of 230 V +10%/-6%. Single-voltage UK appliances designed for 230 V may need a transformer or voltage converter.
Frequency - Canada operates at 60 Hz, compared with 50 Hz in the UK. Most modern travel electronics are designed to work at either frequency and will be marked 50/60 Hz. However, some appliances containing motors, clocks and other frequency-sensitive equipment may not operate correctly at 60 Hz. Check the frequency rating on your device before use; if it is marked 50/60 Hz, it is suitable for either frequency. If you are unsure, particularly with specialist or medical equipment, check with the manufacturer.
Most modern travel gadgets, chargers and laptops are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz.
If you have equipment that is not compatible with the Canadian supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in Canada. Voltage converters and transformers only change the voltage, not the frequency, of the supply. Changing the frequency requires specialist frequency-conversion equipment, which is not normally practical for travellers.
If you need to take items like hair dryers / straighteners that draw high current then see our hair straighteners page for information on how it can affect your choice of travel adaptor.
Canada Plug Type Specifications
Plug Type A
NEMA 1-15 class II unearthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and spaced 12.7mm apart. The neutral blade is 7.9mm wide whilst the live is 6.3mm wide, meaning the plug is polarised and can only be inserted into the socket one way around. Some Japanese plugs have 2 equal width blades, making them unpolarised. Unearthed type A sockets have not been permitted in new buildings across the USA and Canada for many years but they can still be found in older buildings.
Plug Type B
NEMA 5-15 class I earthed, rated at 15A. Commonly found in Central and North America.
The plug has 2 flat blades 1.5mm thick, 15.9 - 18.3 mm long and 6.3mm wide spaced 12.7mm apart. There is also a 4.8mm round or U shaped earth pin which is 3.2mm longer than the 2 blades in order to ensure that the appliance is earthed before the live electrical connection is made. The earth pin is offset from the 2 blades by 11.9mm.
The blades are uninsulated, making them dangerous as a partially pulled out plug can remain connected but the blades are exposed and could be touched, particularly by the fingers of a small child.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adaptors for Canada
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Canada uses type A and B plugs, which are unearthed and earthed variants.
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Canada uses type A and B sockets, which are unearthed and earthed variants.
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British travellers will need a UK (type G) to type A/B plug adaptor for Canada. Adaptors with USB or USB-C ports are useful for directly charging compatible devices. Some UK appliances may also require a voltage converter.
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The mains supply in Canada is 120 V which is outside the normal UK range of 230 V +10%/-6%. Many travel gadgets are dual voltage and will work worldwide; check the appliance or power supply for an input such as 100-240 V, 50/60 Hz. Single voltage UK appliances designed for 230 V may need a voltage converter or transformer.
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To charge your phone in Canada you can use your normal phone charger with a type A/B plug adaptor. Modern phone chargers are normally dual voltage, but check the input rating before use.
Alternatively, you can use a travel adaptor with built-in USB or USB-C ports and connect your phone directly with the appropriate charging cable. The adaptor's USB ports convert the local supply to the voltage required by your phone, so no separate voltage converter is needed. -
Yes, Canada uses the same type A (unearthed) and type B (earthed) sockets as the US.
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Canadian plug adaptors have 2 parallel, flat blades and a round earth pin. Here's a picture of a Canada plug adaptor.
