Travel Adaptor for the UK
& British Plug Type
United Kingdom Plug Type & Sockets
Including: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland
See also: Channel Islands, Gibraltar
- Voltage
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230 V
- Frequency
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50 Hz
The United Kingdom uses plug type G with matching sockets. Voltage: 230 V, Frequency: 50 Hz.
Your British (type G) plugs will fit the British sockets.
-
Adaptor Required?
(See recommended adaptors) - No
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Voltage Converter
Useful?
(More info) - No
UK to UK Plug Adaptors
Our Adaptor Recommendation
You do not need any plug adaptors.
United Kingdom Electrical Supply
The United Kingdom uses plug type G with matching sockets.
The electrical supply voltage is 230 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.
United Kingdom - Traveller Notes
Voltage tolerance of 230 V +10%/-6% (216.2 V to 253 V), widened to 230 V ±10% (207 V to 253 V) in 2008. The system supply voltage remains centered on 240 V. [14] A "shaver socket" (similar to Type C) is sometimes found in bathrooms that will provide low current to some other plug types. These sometimes have a ~110 V socket and a ~240 V socket in the same unit, or a switch to select voltage for a single socket. The G type socket usually has an on-off switch. IEC 60309 plugs and connectors are used in industrial and construction locations as well as for outdoor use in domestic and other business premises. Plug types D and M were used until the 1960s and are still in preferred use for theatre and TV stage lighting applications due to lack of internal fuse.
Voltage Converters
Please be aware that whilst a power adaptor will allow you to physically insert a UK plug into a British socket it will not change the voltage or frequency of the local mains supply.
Voltage - The British mains supply is 230 V, which is within the normal UK range of 230 V +10%/-6%, so British appliances are compatible.
Frequency - The UK operates at 50 Hz, the same as the UK. Frequency compatibility is therefore not a problem for UK appliances.
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 British supply voltage, check our transformers page for further information and available options for transformers and power converters that you can use in the UK. 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.
United Kingdom Plug Type Specifications
Plug Type G
Type G plugs have 3 rectangular pins in a triangular configuration, and are rated at 13A. The live and neutral pins are 4mm x 6.35mm, 17.7mm long and spaced 22.2mm apart. The earth pin is 4mm x 8mm, 22.7mm long and offset by 22.2mm.
The live and neutral pins are insulated and the plugs individually fused. The sockets have safety shutters preventing access to the live and neutral until they are opened by the insertion of the (longer) earth pin. This makes type G plugs one of the safest designs in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
About Travel Adaptors for the UK
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The UK uses type G plugs.
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The UK uses type G sockets.
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British travellers do not need a plug adaptor. No voltage converter is required for UK appliances.
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British travellers do not need a voltage converter. The British mains supply is 230 V, which is within the normal UK range, so British appliances are compatible.
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As British travellers don't need a plug adaptor you should be able to use your normal charging equipment.